INSPEC05395 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2000-034 INSPECTION DATE 02/03/05 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC O83BRVATIONS This was an inspection of the Loveland Pit Sand and Gravel Site conducted by Erica Crosby of the COlorad0 Division of Minerals and Geology. Eric Reckentine, Gayle Knox and TOm Logue representing Lafarge West, Inc. were present during the inspection. The site is located south of the city of Loveland in Larimer County, Colorado. A permit was issued to Western Mobile Northern, Inc. on April 30, 2001 for a permit area of 49.25 acres. The permit was transferred to Lafarge West, Inc. on May 15, 2002. The postmining land use is wildlife habitat. The Division holds a financial warranty in the amount of $354,733.00. The purpose of the inspection was to review the status of the three stipulations placed on the permit when the permit was approved in 2001, and to do a complete inspection of the site. Status of Stipulations: Three stipulations were placed on the operator when the permit was issued on April 30, 2001. • stipulation No. 1 was for the operator to implement a bank swallow protection plan at the Loveland pit. This stipulation was required by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (Dow). The operator stated that all piles have since been removed and that they were not removed during the nesting season. Lafarge will need to state the procedures followed in the bank swallow protection plan in a letter to the Division. Such letter describing compliance with the stipulation must be submitted on or before May 2, 2005. • Stipulation No. 2 states the operator will plant and maintain riparian vegetation (primarily willows) along the riverbank adjacent to the pit. The plantings were intended to stabilize the bank in the event of a flood as suggested in the Simon and Associates draft report dated June 9, 2000. A copy of the report is included. According to the report, "...in order to further limit flow and velocity from the river into the pit and to provide additional stability for the riverbank/embankment between the river and the pit, it is recommended that riparian vegetation (primarily willows) be planted and maintained in any gaps that may currently exist on the riverbank aide of the embankment. Additionally, another area of willows should be planted and maintained along the inside edge of the embankment down into the pit." The Division required that the plantings occur during March and April of 2001. According to the operator this was not performed. Lafarge will be required to plant the riparian vegetation by April of 2005. Proof of compliance must be submitted in the form of photographs by Nay 2, 2005. • Stipulation No. 3 requires the operator to provide legal right to enter easements within the permit area to satisfy the terms of Rule 6.4.14. According to a letter from TST dated July 5, 2000, the operator states, "A new right-to-enter document has been prepared and signed by Mr. McDowell as suggested. Right-to-enter agreements with Western States Power Authority... and Magpie Operating Company are currently being sought. There is currently some question as to whether the ditch easements on Robert Reichert's property are actually held by an entity separate from the landowner. A title company is currently preparing a statement of opinion on the holder of these easements, if existent. When these documents have been signed, they will be forwarded to our office." The Division could find no evidence of signed agreements by Mr. McDowell, Western States Power Authority, Magpie Operating Company or the owner of the ditch on the Reichert property. Please submit the signed agreements with these entities in accordance with Rule 6.4.14 by May 2, 2005. Complete inspection of the Loveland Pit: The site is divided into two areas referred to as the Flatiron Pit, east of County Road 13 (St. Lewis Ave.), and the Reichert Pit located to the west of County Road 13. The Reichert Pit consists of Phase 1 mining encompassing 6.22 acres of mining. The Flatiron Pit consists of Phase 2 and 3 for an area of 13.19 acres.