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.~ (Page 21 • MINE ID >X OR PROSPECTING ID p M-1994-108 INSPECTION DATE 2/9/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection and a time was arranged to meet and jointly inspect the site. The operator named on page one was present throughout the inspection. The permit ID sign was posted at the entrance to the site, and all permit boundary corners were marked by posts or fencelines. This is a phased operation, though much of the site has been disturbed by pre-law mining. Recent activity was noted in several parts of the permitted area, in addition to the actual excavation and processing presently occurring in the northern end, though this additional activity is apparently not mining. Additional activity involves levelling pit floor land that was left rough by former mining, stabilizing sideslopes that were left too steep by former mining, and various areas of temporary equipment storage, which are related to the operator's agricultural activity, etc. The condition of the floor and slopes on the southern and central areas is temporary and stable in the short-term. These areas will be disturbed by future mining then reclaimed. These are not regarded as problems. Mining activities in the north end of the permit area consists of excavation, screening, washing, crushing and stockpiling. All available topsoil is being salvaged for reclamation, though much was lost to careless pre-law mining. To augment topsoil and provide backfill material, fines and silt produced onsite are being salvaged. Sediment ponds catch all effluent from the wash plant, where solids settle out before percolating in or being discharged. Excavation is ongoing along the eastern highwall, as approved by the plan. Stockpiles of various materials were observed, including fines, pitrun, sand, gravel, and oversize boulders. The boulders did not originate on the site, but were brought in for the operator's sales of landscape materials. The permit area involves the mining of a bench on awestern-facing hillside. Material will continue to be removed over much of the site, of perhaps an additional ten-foot depth. Mining at some of the northern end currently has nearly reached this depth, and floor grading is due to occur soon. The eastern highwall in the northern end is close to the eastern boundary, and final slope grading will occur soon. The operator is not allowing material to slough down the hill slope on the west. Much of the western edge of the bench is bermed. There is a scale and scale house located in the central portion of the permit. It is used for mining purposes and for the operator's (landowner's) agricultural needs. It would be reasonable to leave this feature onsite after reclamation, though the current plan may not specifically state that. The operator may wish, at some point in the future, to propose that and/or any other minor changes to the reclamation plan, under a technical revision. Aside from that, the mining plan appears to be followed. There is a fuel and tube station on the site, between the active pit and the scale, along the shoulder of the bench. The various vessels of fuel, oil, etc.. are not provided with adequate secondary containment. The location of the tanks is out of the wav of hauling and processing. but thev should be placed in an impermeable containment, adequately sized to catch a spill of all vessels. There is a present potential for contamination of soil, groundwater, and areas offsite. The lack of adequate secondary containment is noted herein as a problem. as shown on page one. Please see the last page for the corrective action date. There is no final reclamation being performed at this time. The bond will be recalculated to ensure that the amount is adequate to perform all outstanding reclamation. There were no further items noted or discussed during this inspection, and no additional problems. For all questions or responses to this report, please contact this inspector at the following address or phone: 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango CO 81301; tel 970/247-5193 or fax 970/247-5104.