INSPEC14293

• Permit No: M1985026
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 6/12/2006
• Doc Name: Unresolved problems noted
• From: DMG esc
• To: Coulson Excavating Company Inc.
• Inspection Date: 1/17/2006
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 2)
NINS ZD Y OR PROSP$CTING ID ~ N-2985-026
INSPECTION DATE 117/06
INSPBCTDR~S INITIAL$ BSC
This was an inspection of the Challenger Pit conducted by erica Crosby of the Division of
Ninerala and Geology. Richard Coulson of Coulson Sxcavating was present during the
inspection.
The inspection was conducted ae a result of a citizen complaint letter dated October 3,
]005. The letter was written by Sennifer Landen of Lakata Lakes Ranch, LLC and expresses
concerns that the land is not properly being reclaimed as per the approved reclamation
plan. In addition, the letter states that the area has been overtaken with weeds, the pond
on the southwest corner of the property was overlooked and no grass was ever planted, some
of the reclair~d ponds do not have a 3h:ly elope, erosion features are noted on reclaimed
elopes, and failure to plant any cottonwood trees.
In regard to the issues noted above, the Division notes the following;
The Challenger Pit is divided into two regions, Phase I and iI. Phase i consists of
an undisturbed wetland area and a reclaimed pond. Phase II has been mined and
reclaimed. The approved reclamation plan for Phase II states that three small ponds
will remain once mining is complete (Reclamation Plan Nap- Exhibit P dated August
20, 1998). However, the operator has constructed one large groundwater pond (14
acres in size), one small groundwater pond (3 acres in slze) and one small lined
pond (4 acres in size). The constructed ponds are different than the approved plan,
therefore, a reviaian to the permit meet be submitted. Because one of the lakes has
been lined the Division considers it a significant change to the reclamation plan,
therefore, the revision must be filed ae as amendment to the permit as described in
the Divieion~e letter of April 6, 2004 (attached). An amendment to the permit must
be submitted by Narch 31, 2006. This ie noted ae a problem, see page 3 for
compliance due dates.
In regard to the issue of weeds, the site was reclaimed in the spring of 2005.
According to the operator, the site was seeded and heavy rain followed. Por the
remainder of the summer of 2005, it was extremely dry. Due to the dry winter, the
Division rae able to sasses the vegetation on site. Bvidence of drill seeding was
noted. Perennial graeeea were noted, but annual weeds dominated the area. No
noxious weeds were observed on site. Areas within the permit area were mowed in the
fall of 2005, which will help reduce the annual weed growth and promote the
establishment of perennial graeeea. Because the area has only experienced one-year
growth, it is difficult to determine if all of the 2005 seeding has failed.
Typically, vegetation starts to become well established during the second and third
growing season. At this time the Division will not require any additional seeding
of the area (with the exceptions noted below), but mowing should continue to reduce
the annual weeds and allow the grasses to establish.
The Division assumes that the "south east ponds referred to in the letter ie the
small groundwater pond that was used ae a silt pond by the operator. The operator
stated that they did not do any reclamation of the pond because the Former operator
of the site, Challenger, constructed it. However, when the permit was transferred
to Coulson Bxcavating, Coulson assumed the reclamation responsibility for the entire
site (with exception to the areas that may have been releasedl• In addition,
Coulson used the pond ae a silt pond during the mining operation and the permit
references reclamation of the pond. Therefore, Coulson will need to grade and
revegetate the silt pond in accordance with the approved reclamation plan.
The pond elopes were inspected and erosion features and steep alopea were noted on
the large groundwater pond. The operator x311 need to grade the slopes to achieve a
3h:ly ratio and repair the three erosion features noted on the north and west alopea
of the pond. The areaa that require regrading will need to be reseeded with the
approved need mixture. Documentation demonstrating compliance in the form of
photographs must be submitted to the Division by May 1, 2006. This is noted as a
problem, see page 3 for compliance due dates.