INSPEC23865

• Permit No: M1977302
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 10/1/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MINE ID # OR PROSPEC ING ID # M.77~,30'i
INSPECTION DATE ls!/~07
(Page 2) •
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS /A"S
1. A site inspection was conducted to familiarize this inspector with the facilities at the
Owl Canyon Quarry. The Division is still in the process of evaluating the reclamation cost
to complete the reclamation plan and the adequacy of the existing financial warranty.
2. The operator has acquired a permit for 161.5 acres of permitted land and a maximum
disturbance of 105 acres. The post-mining land use is wildlife habitat. The operator has
posted a financial warranty of $82,500 in the form of a Corporate Surety.
3. The affected land boundary was not found during the inspection, as required by Rule
3.1.12. The Division considers this matter to be a problem and requests that the operator
properly identify the affected land boundary within 30 days. Although no'. required by the
Construction Material Rules & Regulations, the Division suggests that the operator also
identify the entire 161.5 permit boundary. Attached is a copy of Rule 3.1.12 pertaining to
signs and markers. Please see page 3 for details.
4. According to the most recent annual report, the operator has backfilled and graded 16.6
acres to final contours and has backfilled, graded, topsoiled and seeded 12.2 acres. This
inspector evaluated revegetation success on the 12.2 seeded acres and confirmed that the
desirable species were evident; however, vegetative cover on the site ~+as dominated by
"weedy" annuals and fortis. I suggested to Mr. Aisner that if the weedy spe~:ies persist into
the third and fourth growing season following seeding, that the operator implement a weed
control program and reseed with desirable species.
5. The reclamation plan specifies that all disturbed slopes will be reduced to a grade of
2:1 or less. The pit will be backfilled with sandstone 'overburden, limestone waste, and
other inert materials. Reclaimed slopes will approximate the elevations that existed prior
to disturbance. All available topsoil will be salvaged for use in reclamation. According
to field measurements taken by Division in February, 1997 there is suff:Lcient volume of
sandstone overburden to backfill the pit areas to within 20 feet of the surface. (The
operator has estimated a total depth of excavation of 30-40 feet). There are no stockpiles
of salvaged topsoil; however, the operator has been successful in acquiring "beet dirt", a
by-product of sugar beet processing, that is being used along with sandstone overburden to
provide a suitable seedbed for revegetation.
6, Upon review of the permit file it is unclear whether structures and facilities within the
161.5 permit area such as the office, shop, fine grind plant, equipment storage yard, and
boneyard will be dismantled and completely reclaimed to wildlife as in the quarry area. The
Division has determined that in order to reclaim these structures and facilities to wildlife
habitat the operator will need to remove them, rip the surface to allieve compaction, apply
a cover of available topsoil and/or beet dirt, and revegetate. The Division will incorporate
the costs for these tasks into the reclamation cost estimate.
If the operator is in favor of leaving the office, shop, fine grind Flant, equipment
storage, and boneyard areas intact following completion of mining and not reclaiming them to
wildlife habitat, then one of the following options must be completed prior to completion
of mining at the Owl Canyon,Quarry:
Option A
Secure approval of a permit amendment to change the post-mining land use for the office,