INSPEC11681 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2004-042 INSPECTION DATE 3/10/05 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 110 permits, and because the landowner wished to have the site inspected prior to possibly requesting a permit transfer. The operator and landowner were both contacted about the inspection. The operator was not able to be present, but the landowner, Mr. Ralph Porco, was present during the inspection, There was no mining equipment at the site. The site lies on a basalt mesa; the north permit boundary is aligned approximately with the northern mesa rim. The operator stated in a phone conversation prior to the inspection that he has had difficulty keeping permit ID signs posted at the site, and that there would probably not be a sign visible. No permit ID lion was observed durino this inspection. No permit boundary markers were observed either. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.12 signs and markers are recuired at permitted sites. The lack of ID sign and boundary markers is noted as a problem on page one. The corrective action is to post a sign at the entrance to the site {may be placed at the county road the ranch house area or the entrance to the permit area itselfl, and to mark all corners or boundary lines. See the last page for the correction date. The permit area is approved to be 7 acres, with a "potential impact area" configured as a 4.94-acre rectangle of 500 ft x 430 ft. Since the markers were absent, the acreage of the actual disturbance was not known at the time of the inspection. During the inspection, field measurements were taken, and a sketch map was later generated by this inspector. It indicates that the disturbance covers about 4.24 acres and it has not exceeded the potential impact area or the permit boundary. A copy of the sketch is attached to this report. (It is suggested that the permit boundary markers be placed along the 4.94-acre boundary, rather than the 7-acre boundary. The operator must specify which corner locations are marked.) The site was permitted by the operator to supply a nearby river stabilization project with dense basalt boulders. The operator's involvement with the project may be completed now, and a future market for this product might not be possible to develop. Though plenty of basalt remains in stockpile and as-yet is unexcavated, the operator maybe close to beginning reclamation. The landowner is also considering whether to request that the permit be transferred to him, (Permit transfer forms will be mailed to the operator and the landowner to facilitate this.) The site has not been mined strictly according to the approved plan, though all mining is within the area approved for such. After stripping the overburden, the excavation was made possible by drilling and blasting the layer of basalt. Excavation has been fairly random and actual removal of basalt from the site is limited. It appears that most of the blasted and excavated basalt is still stockpiled onsite. The material observed ranges in size up to about 24 inches. There are a few small, steeply- walled pits in different areas of the site. These pits are in close proximity to several large stockpiles of basalt, which will assist in backfilling the pits if it becomes necessary. No reclamation has commenced at this time. The overburden/topsoil is stockpiled in several areas around the margins, and appears to be sufficient to perform reclamation. The bond is $4112, but it might not be adequate, This office will recalculate the reclamation costs and notify the operator if an increase is indicated. No further items were observed during the inspection. 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: Bob Oswald; phone no.970-247-5193. I & E Contact Address NAME OPERATOR STREET CITYISTATEIZIP Stan Whinnerv Whinnerv Construction PO Box 866 Lake Citv. CO 81235 cc: Harry Posey, DMG ^ CE ^ BL ^ FS ^ HW ^ HMWMD (CH) ^ SE ^ WOCD (CH) ^ OTHER cc: Ralph Porco, 11150 FDR 255, La Jara, CO 81140