INSPEC09667

• Permit No: M2000067
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 8/28/2000
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/23/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 2)

MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID k M-2000-067
INSPECTION DATE 8 2l 3/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE
OBSERVATIONS
This pre-operations inspection occurred as part of DMG review process of a 112c application. The High Mesa
Gravel Pit permit area is located approximately 9 miles east of Delta, in portions of the NW '/+ of the NW '/+
of Section 4, T15S, R94W, 6`h PM, Delta County. Jeffory Crane, the permitting contact, accompanied the
DMG inspector throughout the inspection.
The High Mesa Gravel Pit application describes a high and dry type operation, conventional excavation with
on-site crushing and screening. The application proposes to affect approximately 48 acres of the 56.06 acres
permit area. The surface is private, owned by Jack Shea. Mineral rights are federal, administered by the BLM.
The gravel deposit is located on top of a mesa. The mining excavation will remove the gravel deposit down
to the Mancos shale contact, elevation of the mesa top will be reduced by approximately 30'. Affected lands
will be reclaimed to support wildlife habitat post mining land use. The permit area appeared consistent with
the descriptions provided within the application.
No activity was observed at the proposed permit area. However, excavation activities have recently occurred
at the proposed permit area. Earth moving equipment located on site was limited to two off-road end dump
trucks. The access/haul road to the proposed site appeared to have been recently constructed or recently
improved with pit run materials. Mr. Crane stated that excavation of road building materials had occurred to
support road construction and/or improvements to existing roads located entirely on lands owned by Mr. Shea.
Mr. Crane clarified that none of the excavated materials had departed Mr. Shea's property. The newly
constructed access road extended beyond the proposed permit area, to other portions of Mr. Shea's property,
and eventually rejoined County Road J-50. Mr. Crane explained that portions of Mr. Shea's 22,000 acre ranch
are scheduled to be developed for residential sites, portions to remain as agricultural lands, and portions
converted to conservation easements. The recent road construction and/or road improvements had apparently
occurred prior to the submittal date of the application because the alignment of the roads are similar to those
shown on the application maps.
Pursuant to paragraph one (1) of the 7/9/99 policy of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board, and
Construction Materials Rule 1.1(3), and C.R.S. 34-32.5-103(11, DMG finds that the existing excavation and
recent road construction, and/or road improvements, do not constitute commencement of the mining
operation. Therefore, DMG does not have reason to believe that the applicant and/or landowner is in violation
of C.R.S. 34-32.5-109(1), for conducting a mining operation without a reclamation permit. Additionally, DMG
does not find evidence necessary to require that the application include additional portions of the access road
into the boundary of affected lands.
Responses to this inspection report should be directed to the Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino
del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, Attn: Wally Erickson, phone no. 970-247-5469.
I & E Contact Address
NAME
OPERATOR
STREET
CITY/STATE/ZIP
Art Beavers
Beavers Construction
P.0. Box 638
Paonia, CO 81428
cc: Tom Gillis, DMG
^ CE
X BLM, Lynn Lewis
^ FS
^ HW
^ HMWMD (CH)
^ SE
^ WOCD ICHI
X Jeffory Crane, permitting agent