INSPEC13977

• Permit No: M1977283
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAMS INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 12/16/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 2) •
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-283
INSPECTION DATE _ December 16, 1997
OBSERVATIONS
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
1. A site inspection was made of the Debetz Pit which is owned and operated by Adams County.
The Debetz Pit has been mined since 1960 by the former property owners and Adams County has
continued to mine the property since it purchased the land in 1973.
2. The Debetz Pit is permitted for a total of 60 acres of affected land. No financial
warranty is required since this is a County operated pit. Wet mining met:hods are used for
extraction of sand & gravel and will result in the creation of a large lake. The designated
post-mining land use is recreation, ie: expansion of a park and nature preserve. The pit is
less than 1/4-mile west of the South Platte River.
3. The pit is currently active with approximately 10-12 acres of disturbance. All
disturbances were found to be within the 60 acre permit area and were well outside of the 300
foot buffer zone between the pit and the South Platte River. The active disturbance consists
of an excavation zone, topsoil and overburden stockpiles, and processing urea. The topsoil
stockpile located in the northeast portion of the permit area was not adequately stabilized
with a grass cover as specified in the mine plan. This matter is considered to be a problem
that will require corrective measures by the operator. Please see page 3 for corrective
actions.
4. A significant portion of the pit has already been mined and adequatel}' reclaimed in the
form of a 40+ acre lake with vegetated shoreline and paved trail system. 'Chere is a variety
of riparian and wetland vegetation covering the shoreline in this area, ie: the central and
southern portions of the permit area. The operator has done an exceptional job of
reclamation in this area. Mr. Anderson mentioned that reclamation of the disturbed northern
portion of the permit area will be consistent with reclamation alread}• achieved in the
central and southern portion.
5. There were several weeds, kochia and russian thistle, seen growing within the permit area
as well as a trace amount of diffuse knapweed. Mr. Anderson mentioned that Adams County
already has an on-going weed control program at the site for noxious weeds such as diffuse
knapweed.
6. A site entrance sign was posted and the affected land boundary was marked as required by
Rule 3.1.12.
7. The subject of water rights and evaporative loss was discussed with Mr. Anderson. Mr.
Anderson indicated that Adams County has obtained water rights adequate: to mitigate for
evaporative loss from that portion of the lake surface which was created after December 31,
1980. However, review of the permit file does not show any correspondaiice to verify Mr.
Anderson's statement. In order to clarify this concern, the Division requests that the
operator submit an update on the status of water rights necessary duricig the mining and
reclamation phases of the operation and water rights already obtained.