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• (Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-85-023 INSPECTION DATE 06/05/97 I INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was conducted as part of the Division's monitoring of 1 1 0 permits, and to confer with he permittee regarding the clean up of the permit area. The permittee, Fred Schmalz, was present during the inspection, but the sit operator, Randy Coffman, was not present. Many of the topics noted on the first page of this report as problems IPBI are the sa a ones noted as problems in 1994. A[ that time the specific portion of the permit area where these were problems, was limite to the asphalt plant area. During this inspection the asphalt plant was again inspected, plus the crushing plant on top of the hill and the storage area on a middle bench were inspected. The existing bond will be recalculated soon, and must account for all ~arthmoving and clean up The site is a hilltop pit, being mined to the west. A berm of topsoil is located along the west bounds y of the permit, along the property boundary common with BLM. Mining has nearly reached this western edge, and the operators ould ensure that sufficient material is left against the highwall to not necessitate baokfilling. Natural berms of undisturbed earth long the other margins of the pit adequately mark some of the rest of the permit boundary, specifically the south and southeast. I the pit is deepened, these berms must remain undisturbed. The pile of recyclable asphalt, once located on the northwest corner f the lower part of the site land on BLM land) is now in the eastern portion of the pit, presumably still to be used in future batchi g operations. The pit also contains crushing equipment, a generator, diesel storage tank and miscellaneous excavatin equipment. The crusher, tank and generator lin a trailer) have been in place several years. There is evidence of ongoing spillage o the diesel at this location, no containment berms and no evidence of any attempted cleanup of the site. Additionally, there were pproximately ten (101 55- gallon drums present in this area, mostly full of waste oil from the equipment, some not securely capp d or overfull, and none of them located in an area of adequate secondary containment. This area is the upper limit of a very deep (deposit of permeable sand and gravel. The soil has been contaminated, and the potential exists for further soil contamination and possible groundwater problems. See the last page for the corrective action. A similar situation exists on the bench just below the pit, to the northeast. A variety of parts of equi~ment, timbers, debris not necessarily related to mining is stored there, including approximately twenty (20) 55-gallon drums of p troleum products. These drums mainly contained waste oil, though one was noted to contain a viscous tar-like substance. Ag in, many showed signs of spillage or overfill, some were uncapped, and none of them were placed in adequate secondary contai ment. There was no sign of any effort at cleanup of the contaminated soil. The asphalt batch plant on the lowest level of the site still contains ample signs of diesel spillage arolJnd the fuel tank, plus oil spillage or leakage from the equipment related to the plant. The spillage has affected the soil, noted t~y the staining pattern and smell. Though some of the past contamination may have been removed, there is still a significant am unt remaining on the site. The upper pit is accessed from below by use of several roads, all of which shows signs of recent use One of these is the road farthest to the west, whose route passes through several hundred feet of BLM property. Though B~M has not constructed a perimeter fence [here, it was required of the operator to apply to BLM for the permission to use that part f their property. The BLM office has informed this Division that such application for permission has not yet been filed, and that t re is still a trespass issue for this. The to is of "roads" is noted as a roblem on a e one with the corrective action ex lained on a last a e. The operator must either cease using that and all routes which present a trespass problem, or obtain the appropriate right to enter the lands in question. Whichever option is chosen, evidence of satisfactory resolution must be received by this office y the date shown on page 4. It is emphasized here that if the trespass issue is not resolved in a timely manner, then the opera or may be found to be in Overall, the site shows very lax hydrocarbon management, e.g., fuel handling, equipment maintenan e, waste disposal and oil storage. This operator was made aware of these same problems and their seriousness several year ago and was assisted in determining the appropriate methods to resolve or abate them. These serious problems still exist and th potential is there for them to worsen if they are not addressed. If necessary, this Division will consider requiring the operator [o inst II groundwater monitoring wells to verify that water quality is not adversely affected. The operator will note that other parties ar being sent copies of this report, some of whom las before) may be called upon to help determine how to best remedy these pro lems. If any party wishes to discuss this report, please contact this inspector at the address or phone shown below: Division of Minerals and Geology (phone) 970/247-5193 484 Turner Dr., Bldg F-101 Durango CO 81301