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• (Page 2) • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-92-060 INSPECTIOI:7 DATE 1/15/99 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Material 7.10 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection, but was not present at the time of the inspection. After the inspection this inspector spoke with another representative of the operator, Tony Martinez, about the inspection. The site is not identified as a permitted pit, even though Rule 3.1.12 requires that an ID sign be posted at the entrance to the permit area. That rule also requires that the permit area boundary be adequately marked to delineate it. The boundaries of the 6-acre permit area, as :shown on the permit maps, must be marked. The topic of "signs and markers" is noted as a problem on page one, with the corrective action and date shown on the last page. The site does not appear as a typical pit. Either a significant amount of backfilling has occurred or the pit was not excavated to a great extent. Recently placed backfill material, mainly consisting of concrete and earth rubble, was observed along the north edge of the water. This body of water is presumed to be the Ben Oggle Ditch, which has been widened as a result of mining. Backfilling appears to be decreasing the size of the water surface of the ditch back to what probably existed prior to mining. The present ground level is only about two feet higher than the water surface. The aspect of backfilling was part of the approved mining and reclamation plan. However, not all of the present backfill material was observed 'to be inert; some of it looked as though it belonged in a landfill. As far as this Division is aware, this site is not certified to be a landfill. Therefore, the topic of "records" is noted as a problem, which the operator may correct by providing the Division with information about the current materials being imported and backfilled. If it appears that non-inert materials (such as petrochemical-based, ferrous or putrescible materials) are being backfilled, there may be an additional problem regarding the inspection topics of hydrologic balance, or acid or toxic materials. At this time, these are not problems. Please see the last page for the corrective action and date for the "records" problem. The central area of the permit is level and bare of vegetation. Several piles of gravel and cobble material were located at or near the east end of the site. No mining equipment or structures were present during the inspection. Topsoil was not observed stockpiled on the site, though the reclamation plan requires that topsoil be salvaged prior to mining and replaced afterward. The operator must ensure that topsoil is salvaged in the future. Not all of the permit area has been disturbed, but there is no reclamation occuring either (except for the backfilling). Tony stated on the phone that there may not be any future mining, that the site is only being backfilled as material becomes .available, and that when topsoil is needed it will be obtained from another site. Please ensure that you fully report all mining and reclamation activities on the annual reports, and that this Division is contacted prior to importing any topsoil for final re clamati.on (please refer to Rule 3.1.5(9)). The last item noted here concerns the topics of "stipulations" and "reclamation plan" on page one. This DMG permit was approved in 1992 with the condition that the operator would supply a written revegetation plan to this Division. The operator has not provided such a plan. It should be obtained from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service), and must include the names of the species used in the seed mix, seeding rate, plus any mulch or fertilizer requirements. This will be the plan to follow at the time of final reclamation. Please see the last page for the corrective action and date. There we~.-e no other items noted during, or discussed after, the inspection. All questions