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• (Page 21 • MINE ID ~ OR PROSPECTING ID # M-86-037 INSPECTION DATE 02/25/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 110 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to meet at the site. The operator was present throughout the inspection. There was no snow cover and the site was dry at the time of the inspection. The site was identified by a permit ID sign near the entrance to the permit area. This is a 4.8-acre permit area, consisting of two separate areas of affected land, which lie wholly within a square 10-acre parcel. Though the actual boundaries of these two areas of affected land are not marked, the corners of the 10-acre parcel are well marked by sandstone cairns. This matches the map in the file exactly. All permit-related disturbance is located within the 10-acre square, and the topic of "signs and markers" is not regarded as a problem. This is a small rip rap source located on gently sloping rangeland. Natural outcrops of the native snadstone occur throughout this area, even well beyond the permitted area. It appears that this stone has been mined for local use for many years. The permit area, as noted above, consists of two parts, Pit f!1 and #2. Mining disturbance has affected only the eastern end of Pit #1 . It consists of a small shallow pit and a nearby pile of irregular sandstone blocks in the extreme northeast corner. The pit is roughly 50 feet across and les than 5 feet deep. Its sides are sloped at 3:1 or less and a layer of soil appears to have been placed over its entire surface; there is no sandstone exposed in the pit. The pile of riprap blocks is about 50 feet across, and up to about 10 feet high. Pieces range generally from one to six feet in diameter, and are angular. A small pile of concrete rubble, apparently regarded as rip rap also, has been deposited immediately east of the sandstone pile. Since rip rap is a resource with a specific use, generally used by local governments, the presence of the concrete in the permit area is felt to be consistent with the operation of the pit, and is not a problem in the context of this report. However, it is not known who placed the rip rap [here, and this inspector urges the operator to notify the party responsible that this site is not to become a dumping ground. About 150 teet west of the pit, along the north permit boundary is a stockpile of what appears to be topsoil. The existing pit looks as if it has been at least partially topsoiled, with minor amounts of volunteer vegetation growing on it. It is not known if the existing pit is to receive more topsoil during its reclamation. Likewise, it is not known whether some of this stockpiled soil came from other areas of the permit which were stripped in anticipation of mining (the soil depth in the area is irregular, and shallow at bestl. The pile contains up to about 100 cubic yards. It seems sufficient in volume for adequate reclamation, and appears stable. There are no other stockpiles onsite. No processing occurs, and there is no equipment or structure onsite. A minor amount of trash was noted, mainly small plastic and metal debris. The remains of two old carcasses, a dog and a sheep, were observed. These are mostly decomposed and widely scattered on the area. Amore recent addition, another sheep carcass, was also seen next to the rip rap pile. As such, this is not noted as a problem in this report, but is noted for the BLM's information. There were no other items discussed or noted during the inspection, and no problems observed. (Note: A recently affected area directly east of this permit area was observed, which appeared to have been a rip rap site that had been partially reclaimed. At the time of the inspection, nothing was known about that operation or the party involved. Information supplied by the BLM subsequent to this inspection shows that it was a separate site, operated by Montrose County. That site was given file number M-96-003. The MLRB found the operator to be mining without a permit and ordered the operator to reclaim it in 1996. The grading of the affected area has resulted in a topography consistent with the undisturbed area surrounding it, though much small blocky material is at the surface. No vegetation was evident yet.) I & E Contact Address cc: Steve Shuey, DMG ^ CE NAME John Ackerman ^ BL OPERATOR Colo Dept of Transportation ^ FS STREET 222 S 6th St, Rm 317 ^ HW CITY/STATE/ZIP Grand Junction CO 81501-2769 ^ HMWMD (CHI ^ SE ^ WOCD (CHI ^ OTHER