INSPEC07099

• Permit No: M1992102
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 8/15/2000
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/9/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 2) •
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1992-102
INSPECTION DATE 8/9/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
OBSERVATIONS
This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112 permits. The operator
was contacted about the inspection but was not present for the inspection. This inspection was to assess the amount of
permitted disturbance, since the financial warranty amount is scheduled for recalculation. The details of the approved
reclamation plan will be reviewed and new bond figures sent to the operator.
The permit ID sign was posted at the entrance gate to the site. The permit boundary is delineated by the M & D Canal on
the east and existing fencelines elsewhere. All activity appears to be within permit boundaries. This is atwo-phased
operation, with Phase 1 on the south and Phase 2 on the north. Most disturbance is inside the Phase 1 area.
Mining is actively ongoing in Phase 1, with topsoil stripping preceding the excavation. Topsoil is bermed along the north
and south ends of the pit. The pit is about 15 feet deep, and the floor is level and dry. No daylighting has occurred to the
east, and the brushy slope on the east is undisturbed. The highwall is mainly vertical, about 550 feet long. The highwalls
are not encroaching on the permit boundaries. There are a couple stockpiles of pitrun or product in the pit. Reclamation
at this point would involve reducing the highwalls by pushing bank material down, topsoil replacement, and revegetation.
There are no fuel tanks, processing equipment or mining-related structures onsite. There were a few small areas of thistles
observed, mainly along the west edge of the pit where the natural Swale is located. They occur in an area of thicker grass,
and do not appear to present a high risk of uncontrolled spreading. The thistle, a species on the noxious weed list, should
be monitored to ensure it does not spread, and control treatments should be applied as needed. If the the weed spreads
onto unaffected land or infests topsoil resources onsite, the operator may face a "problem" to correct, and probably an
increased bond amount to cover control costs.
An overhead powerline crosses the site, approximately near the break between Phases 1 and 2. No mining disturbance
is near the poles.
Some surficial disturbance was noted in Phase 2, which appeared to be somewhat recent topsoil stripping and windrowing
by grader or dozer. The site now contains scattered, stunted annual weeds, and it covers several acres. The reclamation
of that disturbance would involve minimal earthwork, but revegetation may be slow in establishment, since the site is dry.
Before further affecting this area, the operator should ensure that operating in this second phase is allowed by the
approved mining plan and that it is included in the bond calculation.
As various areas of the pit are finished, the operator should ensure that the proper slopes, topsoil replacement and seeding
are accomplished in a timely manner, to lessen the final reclamation liability. Total present disturbance and the approved
mining plan will be accounted for in the new bond calculation. Any increase in the bond amount will have to be provided
within 60 days, according to statute.
There were no problems noted at the time of the inspection. For all questions or responses to this report, please contact
this inspector at the following address or phone: 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango CO 81301; tel [phone]
or fax [phone].
I & E Contact Address
NAME
OPERATOR
STREET
CITY/STATE/ZIP
Joe DeVincentis
Western Gravel, Inc.
3001 N. Townsend Ave.
Montrose CO 81401
cc: Tom Gillis, DMG
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