INSPEC10179

• Permit No: M2001002
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 2/2/2001
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 1/26/2001
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Pa a 21
9
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2001-002
INSPECTION DATE 1/26/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
OBSERVATIONS
This pre-operation inspection was performed by the Division as a result of a new Construction Materials 112 permit
application received from the operator's agent, acting on behalf of the operator. The operator's agent was contacted about
the inspection and a time was arranged to meet and inspect the site. The operator and agent named on page one were
present throughout the inspection. (Many of the comments and observations noted herein are not fully explored, but will
be further discussed in the Division's preliminary adequacy review letter, which will be mailed in the near future.)
The Notice required to be posted as part of the permit application was observed at the south entrance gate (which is
located near but not on the south permit boundaryl. The permit boundaries were marked by orange-flagged T-posts. The
area proposed for inclusion in this 112 permit includes all of an existing 111 permit, plus additional acreage. The 111
disturbance has not been fully reclaimed, anticipating the issuance of this 112 permit, whereupon activity may resume.
All existing (111 permit) disturbance appears to be within the proposed (112 permit) boundaries. The new applicant is
aware that, upon 112 permit issuance, all unreclaimed disturbance existing on the site from the former operation will
become the new operator's responsibility to bond for and reclaim.
Significant excavation has occurred in the eastern end and central part of the proposed permit area, creating two level floor
areas. Highwalls, stockpiled pitrun, overburden, and topsoil exist on the site. Equipment on the site related to the present
111 operation was minimal, and included conveyors, grizzly, portable truck scale, and wheeled loader. Some waste asphalt
was piled on the site, left over from previous botching operations. No mining has occurred at the west end of the permit,
though there is a small amount of land stripped of vegetation immediately west of the existing pit.
Excavation has created level pit floors and vertical highwalls. Future mining will continue toward the north and west,
leaving more vertical highwalls which will be later backfilled to 3:1 with the abundant overburden stockpiled for this reason.
Some of the overburden is proposed for use in filling the head of a natural gulch in the northwest part of the site. The final
pit floor is planned to be at the same elevation as the filled area. This increases the amount of level land, which is planned
to be revegetated with range grasses and not back to the current sagebrush. Existing vegetation is dominated by stunted
sage, with minor amounts of snakeweed and prickly pear, with very little grass. Disturbed areas exhibit some Russion
thistle. There were no noxious weeds noted. The site presently appears to be popular with the local deer and rabbits.
Except for the gulch on the western end of the permit area, which drains to the northwest, all onsite drainage appears to
report to the pit area. The pit is bermed on the north side. Areas upslope of the gulch, which includes a finger ridge to
its east extending to the north boundary line, are not yet affected by mining. The proposed gulch fill and possible mining
of the finger ridge (the final mining phase) could impact surface water quality if sediment transport and stormwater drainage
is not controlled there.
A few potential problem scenarios were discussed during the inspection. Future operations should include weed monitoring
and control, [o ensure that exported aggregate is not contaminated with weed seed, that stockpiled overburden or topsoil
are not infested, and that reclaimed areas do not become infested. This could result in increased reclamation costs. The
storage of fuel or fluids onsite must also be carried out carefully, by providing adequate secondary containment le.g.,
sufficient capacity and impermeablel.
There were no problems noted. 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
Bob Sutherland
West End Gravel Co.
P.O. Box 848
Nucla CO 81424
cc: Tom Gillis, DMG
^ CE
^ BL
^ FS
^ HW
^ HMWMD ICHI
^ SE
^ WOCD ICH)
^ OTHER
cc: Doug Conger (agent for the operator), Geological Services, 711 Hartman Rd, Cortez, CO 81321