INSPEC16038

• Permit No: M2000034
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 6/28/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MINE 1`D # OR PROSPECTING ID#: M-2000-034
INSPECTION DATE: 6-28-00
OBSERVATIONS
PAGE: 2
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ACS
A pre-operational inspection of the proposed Loveland Pit was conducted. The pending date
for consideration of the Loveland Pit application by the Division of Minerals and Geology is
July 28, 2000.
The proposed pit is located north of the Big Thompson River and on the east and west side of
St. Louis Avenue. The area east of St. Louis Avenue will be mined first. This is currently
pastureland with the river to the south and a paint shop to the north. Haul routes from the
phase 1 mining area to the processing plant were discussed in the field. The access onto St.
Louis Avenue will be changed from that presented in the application through the submittal of
a technical revision to the application under Rule 1.8.
The area west of St. Louis Avenue will be mined from north to south in two phases. This area
is currently a ready-mix concrete and public sale sand and gravel operation with no
associated gravel pit. As a result of previous industrial activities at the site and efforts
to stabilize the riverbank, it was observed that broken concrete was used to build up the
bank along the southern edge of the proposed permit area. Western Mobile reports that the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may require reclamation of the riverbank to a more natural
appearance, but will not require implementation until the pit has been mined and reclamation
of the mined area is underway. The Division of Minerals and Geology views the existing
impacts to the riverbank to be a pre-existing condition outside the jurisdiction of the state
reclamation permit. However, the riverbank will not remain a pre-exiting condition if it is
further altered in conjunction with gravel mining activities unless the work is reclamation
required by the federal agencies and is under permit with the local flood plain authority.
In association with the current ready mix operation, Western Mobile periodically runs a
gravel wash plant at this location. The washing activities will continue under the term of
the reclamation permit. Wash water is discharged to a small horseshoe shaped slough where
most of the silts are settled out. The wash water then flows into an old gravel pit lake.
Western Mobile is advised to seek a determination from the Water Quality Control Division if
discharge of wash water to the gravel pit lake requires a CDPS permit. A copy of this report
will be sent to Water Quality Control.
Active swallow nests were observed in the existing gravel stockpiles at the site. Most of
the activity at the time of the inspection was in stockpiles located at the north end. The
presence of the swallows is a concern raised by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), and
a plan to manage impacts on the birds will be required. Western Mobile is encouraged to work
with the DOW to develop a suitable plan. The Division of Minerals and Geology will also be
discussing potential mitigating measures with DOW.
The only structures on or near the site of the proposed pit that appeared to be susceptible
to damage from the mining operation are the utility line towers running through mining phase
2. However, the permit application specifies a minimum 60 foot setback from the towers,
which will be adequate to prevent damage. The Applicant will follow standard safety
procedures when operating heavy equipment under the power lines.