INSPEC11881

• Permit No: M1976020
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 8/24/1996
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/19/1996
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-76-020
INSPECTION DATE 8/19/96 INSPEC:TOR'S INITIALS WHE
This inspection was conducted by Wally Erickson from the DMG field office in Durango, in response to written complaint from Mr.
Geof Schlittgen, addressed to Representative Jim Dyer. Representative Dyer forwarded Mr. Schlittgen's written statement to DMG
on 8/12/96. Mr. Schlittgen's letter was accompanied by copy of 4/9/961etter from Cap Allen of Cap Allen Engineering, addressed
to Ken Jacobson, COE, and by copy of 5/9/961etter from David L Rosgen, P.H., of Wildland Hydrology, addressed to John Reese,
COE. DMG staff met with Mr. Schlittgen and Mr. Rick Meyo at the DMG Durango field office on 8/16/96. Present at the 8119/96
inspection were the following individuals:
Mr. Geof Schlittgen, 10007 CR 250, Durango, CO 81301, [phone];
Mr. Rick Meyo, 2424 Spalding Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30350, (9701 247-8342;
Mr. Steve Davis, 6 Willow Place, Durango, CO 81301, [phone];
Mr. David King, Mountain Gravel, P.O. Box 788, Dolores, CO 81323, 1970) 882-7232; and
Wally Erickson, DMG, 484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, CO (9701 247-5193.
Mr. Schlittgen, Mr. Mayo and Mr. Davis departed the mine site et 1100 hours, the inspection continued Hill 1230 hours.
The Thomas Pit is located approximately 12 miles north of Durango, on the east side of Highway 550, in portions of the SW 1/4
of the SE 1 /4 of Section 25, and in portion of the W 1 /2 of the NE 1 /4 of Section 36, both in T37N, R9W, NMPM, La Plata County.
The Regular 112 permit is approved for 29.8 acres affected area. The operation is approved for gravel excavation from an overflow
channel on the west side of the Animas River and pit area adjacent to the west side of the Animas River channel, and material
crushing, washing and concrete production. DMG holds financial warranty in the amount of 526,295.00.
Mine identification sign was posted adjacent to the access road and displayed the necessary information. Affected area was clearly
delineated by markers, fence lines and geographic features, in accordance with permit conditions. Affected area appeared contained
to the approved 29.8 acres.
Material excavation did not occur during the time of this inspection. Material crushing, screening and washing operations were
active. Process water from the washing operation was conveyed to the sediment pond via sediment containment ditch. Sediment
containment ditch and sediment pond were well maintained. Fuel storage tanks were surrounded by spill containment berms. Fuel
tanks appeared intact, no evidence of rupture or escaped fluid was observed.
Water movement was not observed within the Animas River channel at the location of the Thomas Pit permit area. Water within
the Animas River channel was limited to isolated pools, water movement was not observed within isolated pools. Water was
observed within the north pit and south dredge basin, south dredge basin was discharging. Discharge was visually estimated at 50
gpm, discharge appeared clear. Water impounded within the north pit and south dredge basin appeared generally clear. Inflow into
the north pit appeared limited to irrigation overflow from upland agricultural fields. Inflow to the north pit :md south dredge basin
was not observed from the Animas River.
DMG inspector observed the exposed bed of the Animas River channel adjacent to the permit area as well as upstream and
downstream of the permit area. Channel banks appeared to be 3' to 8' high and ranged from near vertical t~o approximately 5H:1 V
slope. Evidence of excessive channel bank erosion or of active downcutting of the channel bed was not observed. Grade of the
channel bed appeared continuous with the exception of one minor change in grade, located in the main channel approximately 400'
north of the southern permit boundary. The change in grade was not abrupt, approximately 15" high, and did not appear to be a
location of active headcutting. Main channel of the Animas River, adjacent to the permit area, appeared grossly affected by historic
mining activities. According to the operator, the Animas River was dredged in past decades. The existing south dredge basin (1050'
long), mid-channel berm (1250' longl, and disturbances to the west side of the main channel adjacent to [he midchannel berm
11000' long) remain as evidence of historic dredging operations.
Operator is submitting annual surveys of cross sections and longitudinal profile of the Animas River adjacent to the permit area and
upstream and downstream of the permit area. The operator has committed to limiting excavations within the north pit and south
dredge basin to 6,645' MSL. DMG utilizes the survey information, submitted by the operator, to determine possible adverse impacts
to the Animas River, resulting from mining activities.