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(Page 2) • <br />MINE ID ~ OR PROSPECTING ID ~ N-83-139 <br />INSPECTION DATE 7 6 94 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GSC <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was conducted in response to concerns raised by the Colorado Health Dept. <br />(CDH) concerning ground water being used at the Leyden Pit operation. A complete inspection <br />was conducted ae there are no records of past inspections in the file. Scott Callahan, the <br />operator's representative, was present during the inspection. <br />This sand and gravel operation was permitted in 1985 to Ryan & Son with 320 total acres. The <br />permit was transferred from Leyden Rock Products to Pioneer in December, 1993. Pioneer does <br />not yet have a wash plant installed at this location and is still in the early stages of <br />development. The gravel overlies the Laramie Formation which ie comprised of shale, <br />claystone, sandstone and major coal beds. The mining plan, ae revised in 3/29/87, allows <br />three separate excavation sites. The maximum allowable major disturbance at each excavation <br />is 5 acres and reclamation is concurrent. <br />The southern pit ie dry and shows various atagee of reclamation ranging from recently <br />backfilled acreage to graded and seeded areas. The size and extent of mined, graded and <br />seeded areas are as shown on the annual report map received April 22, 1993. The western pit <br />is also ae shown on the annual report map. The northern 2.9 acres ie currently being <br />backfilled with fines. This portion of the pit will be graded and seeded according to Mr. <br />Callahan. The eastern pit ie filled with water covering about 0.65 acres and some cattails <br />are present. <br />A einall clay pit currently being mined ie located north of the south pit. The pit is <br />approximately 30 x 40 feet x 10 feet deep. Clay, moat likely from the Laramie Formation, ie <br />excavated from the pit after the Band and gravel ie removed. <br />Topsoil is stockpiled near the various pits and north and west of the plant Bite. <br />1. The clay mining activity is not addressed in the current mining plan. Because of this, <br />the operator will need to submit a revised mining plan and mining plan map in the form of an <br />amendment to the permit which reflects this change. <br />2. Topsoil locations are not shown on the current mining plan map. Rule 6.3.5(2)(c) <br />stipulates that all major surface features, including existing and proposed topsoil <br />stockpiles, shall be outlined and labeled on the mining plan map. This needs to be done <br />and can be submitted in the amendment discussed in No. 1 above. <br />3. An inactive pit approximately 85•x 700'x 10'deep is located along the south aide of the <br />entrance road in the southwestern corner of the permit. This pit ie not located within any <br />of the three distinct excavation areas included in the mining plan. The mining plan and map <br />needs to show this area. This can be done in the form of an amendment discussed in No. 1 <br />above. <br />4. There ie some confusion regarding the total permitted acreage. The total acreage of <br />affected lands reported on the application form received in July 15, 1983 is 320 acres. <br />However, the mining plan discussion, Exhibit D, reports the site as 480 acres. The Division <br />calculated the permit area by measuring the boundary shown on the map submitted with the <br />annual report received April 22, 1994. That area totaled about 480 acres. The operator will <br />need to clarify the total acreage in the permit area and show the actual permit boundary on <br />the revised mining plan map to be submitted in the amendment discussed above. <br />Since the clay mining and other activities significantly alter the current mining and <br />reclamation plan an amendment will be required (see PB-1). <br />5. A small pond totaling about 1/2 acre in size ie situated in the east pit. It appears that <br />the pond exposes perched ground water reported to be present at the gravel-shale interface. <br />The operator stated that the landowner wants to leave the pond in place for cattle. This <br />must be addressed in the amendment to the permit. Aule 3.1.5(7) of the Mineral Rules and <br />Regulations addressee standards for sloping pond banks. Since it appears that this pond <br />exposes ground water, the operator needs to demonstrate that this pond is in compliance with <br />the Office of the State Engineer (OSE), by supplying a copy of a well permit or water <br />