INSPEC17555 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(Page 3) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1991-146 INSPECTION DATE 4/9/04 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE The primary evidence of dozer activity on Patterson land was a small pile of rock, approximately 5 feet wide, by 10 feet long, by 2 feet high. Mr. Patterson indicated this was evidence of trespass. ZMK representatives, however, did not agree with the notion of trespass and said that a ZMK dozer operator had removed logs from the Patterson property at the request of Steve Ingram. DMG did not observe evidence of mining activities, as defined by Construction Materials Rules 1.1(26), (27), or (31). The available evidence does not indicate that ZMK conducted mining activities on Patterson lands. Therefore, DMG appears to have no jurisdiction to address the issue of ZMK equipment being on Patterson lands. (Photo 1) No recent bank erosion was evident on the Patterson property. A small, N-S trending, high-water cut bank appears along the eastern base of the berm on Patterson property, and here the presence of sediment and willows indicate the berm has been relatively stable for at least several years. On the north end of this cut, on ZMK property, some willow roots are exposed, indicating erosion within the last several years. On the south end of this cut, which is on the Patterson property, there is no evidence of recent erosion. New willow shoots are present here; no roots or other evidence of recent side cutting was seen on the Patterson ground. (Photos 1 & 2) North of the Patterson property, on land owned by ZMK, the existing levee failed in 2003 and formed a breach approximately 600 feet long. By the time of this inspection, the landowner, ZMK, had repaired all but the southern most 100 feet of the levee. The Division discussed with ZMK whether this remaining portion of the breached levee might be repaired by ZMK. DMG inspectors noted to ZMK that repairing this breach (which is upstream of the permitted area, and which mining did not evidently cause) is not within DMG's jurisdiction. (Photo 3) DMG inspectors discussed elements of river geomorphology with Mr. Patterson and Mr. Williams. It was noted that the Uncompahgre River in this area is aggrading; that the riverbed gradually increases in elevation due to a net deposition of bed load rather than a net erosion of bed load. We explained that unless the levees are consistently maintained and their height increased, then lands alee of the levees will be inundated with high flow runoff. We explained that the river channel is dynamic; that it should be expected to erode laterally without heroic and expensive efforts to contain its high water channels within a controlled area. We expressed our opinion that the Patterson property and adjacent properties lie in flood prone area, and that unless upstream property owners continued to maintain the west bank levee, the Patterson ground might be flooded by any future runoff from snowmelt. DMG inspectors indicated to Mr. Patterson that we saw no evidence of erosion caused by mining at ZMK. Mr. Patterson, Mr. Zannett and Mr. Kline all indicated a willingness to work together to resolve issues in the future. General Inspection Topics The ZMK Gravel Pit is located approximately 5 miles north of Ouray, in portions of the NW '/4 of the SW '/4 of Section 2, T44N, R8W, NMPM, Ouray County. The reclamation permit is approved for 8.72 acres affected area, for extraction and processing of alluvial materials from the Uncompahgre River channel. Affected lands will be reclaimed to support industrial post mining land use. DMG holds $3,750 financial warranty. Permit status is active.