_INSPECTION - M1984099 ‎(9)‎

• Permit No: M1984099
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• From: DMG
• To: Goose Haven Sand & Gravel Inc.
• Inspection Date: 12/17/2002
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 2)
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1484-n44
INSPECTION DATE: »/i~m~ INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: rns
OBSERVATIONS
A site inspection was made of the Bailey Pit as part of the Division's 4-year inspection program. The site is located 2
miles east of I-25 and 1 mile north of Colorado Highway 119. Present during the inspection was Larry Honstein.
2. The Bailey Pit is permitted for a total of 216.81 acres. The mine plan specifies de-watering and dry mining methods.
The site will be reclaimed to private recreation with several irregular shaped and unlined lakes totalling approximately
110.8 acres. Shoreline and surrounding upland areas will be topsoiled land revegetated. Slopes will be graded to a
maximum steepness of 3:1, except for 2:1 shoreline slopes that are 10 feet or more below the expected water
surface. The operator has posted a financial warranty of $73,000 in the form of a Letter of Credit. Based on the
disturbances noted during the inspection, this inspector finds that the existing $73,000 is adequate to complete the
reclamation plan, provided the operator is in compliance with all water permitting requirements of the Office of the
State Engineer.
3. The operator has finished mining in Areas 4 & 5 south of the St. Vrain River and has created a 59 acre lake. All
backfilling, grading, and topsoiling requirements have been completed. The shoreline slopes and surrounding areas
have not yet been adequately revegetated.
4. Mining has also been completed over a majority of the area north of the St. Vrain River. The operator is currently
excavating in the 9.8 acre plant site area (Area 2c) in the northeast corner of the permit area. The remaining
portions of Areas 1 & 2 have been either been completely or partially reclaimed but have not yet been filled with
water. There is a 4.3 acre excavation with near vertical side slopes approximately 6-8' high that is to be reclaimed to
Lake 3. This area will need to be backfilled & graded to reclamation contours and receive topsoil for areas above the
expected water surface. The north half of the east shoreline slope of Lake 1 is also at near vertical slopes,
approximately 12-15' high, and will need to be backfilled and graded to reclamation contours and receive topsoil for
areas above the expected water surface. The northwest corner of the permit area contains slopes that have been
graded and topsoiled but not yet revegetated. This area contains sporadic patches of knapweed, a noxious weed,
that will need to be controlled under the terms of the existing weed control plan. Area 2a contains a topsoil stockpile
of approximately 15,000 cubic yards that will be used in fihal reclamation. None of the shoreline or surrounding
upland areas-were adequately revegetated at the time of inspection. The operator has created several "islands"
comprised of overburden materials within the future 52 acre lake. Overall, the operator has done an exceptional job
of shaping and grading the islands as well as shoreline areas to achieve the desired post-mining land use. The
operator has also planted pairs of willows and cottonwood seedlings around the shoreline of the future lake, and has
established a number of duck blinds around the southern rim of the future lake. The duck blinds are comprised of
pieces of large cottonwoods. The Division commends the operator for implementing such creative and innovative
techniques.
5. The operator has posted an entrance sign and marked the affected land boundary as required by Rule 3.1.12.
6. The operator has completed all bank stabilization measures for the St. Vrain River, with the exception of
approximately 120 linear feet of south bank immediately west of Weld County Road 13. The slopes along this bank
are approximately 1:1 and will need to be contoured to a final configuration of 3:1 under the terms of the approved
Corps of Engineer's 404 Permit. The operator has done a commendable job of stabilizing all other banks as specified
in the 404 Permit.
There was no evidence in the permit file that the operator and/or landowner has an approved temporary substitute
supply plan or augmentation plan from the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) for existing and future water needs.
However, Joanna Williams of the OSE verified for this inspector that the original applicant and operator () Bar B Inc)
of the Bailey Pit has secured an approved water augmentation plan. (Please see attached copy). It is unclear
whether the current operator and/or landowner has the legal authority to operate under the original augmentation
plan, Permit No. 30329-F, issued to J Bar B Inc. on August 1, 1986. The Division considers this matter to be a
problem that will require corrective actions by the operator. The Division requests that the operator clarify this