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F MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # INSPECTION DATE 7 29 94 (Page 2) M-91-037 OBSERVATIONS INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GSC This inspection was conducted in response to a letter complaining about a mud spill on the Lots Rock Pit received by the Division on July 26, 1994. The permit totals 8.0 acres and includes a two phased mining and reclamation plan. The reclamation plan calla for backfilling and establishment of 3H:1V slopes. A rider to the permit stipulates that during reclamation, the operator will attempt to establish four specified shrub species at a rate of 50 stems per acre using wash plant fines for growth medium. The site ie situated on a stream terrace about 75 vertical feet above the Middle Fork of the South Platte River which serves as the northern boundary of the permit. The town of Fairplay is situated downstream and to the east lees than one mile. Fairplay Beach Recreational area is about 3200 feet downstream. The entire site was completely disturbed from historic placer gold mining which has been conducted in the area since the late 1800'x. There ie virtually no topsoil on-site. All processing and mining equipment has been removed with the exception of one hydraulic excavator. Two pits have been excavated on the permit, the first in the central portion of the permit and the second in the northwestern part of the permit. This is a problem since the mining plan calls for one pit to be reclaimed concurrently with mining (eee PB-1). Other problems were observed as follows: * The mud spill is located in the northeastern portion of the permit and occurred after fines removed from the settling pond were placed along the edge of the terrace above the Middle Fork. A tongue of this material totaling about 50 cubic yards spilled down the edge of the terrace and onto the lower stream bank beside the Middle Fork. Although it may have in the past, the material is currently not adding sediment to the river and no offeite damage was observed. Another 50 cubic yards of material is positioned on the edge of the upper terrace about 75 vertical feet above the Middle Fork. This needs to be pulled back away from the edge to prevent it from sliding down toward the river. The material along the river needs to be spread out along the bank and a three foot high berm constructed to prevent any fines from entering the river. (see PB-2) • Portions of the permit boundary were not clearly marked and a sign was not observed at the entrance. (see PB-3) • Three drums of waste oil present in the facility area need to be removed for recycling or properly disposed. Normal waste oil staining was observed in the facility area. The operator was reminded that when any significant spills occur, the contaminated soil must be removed and disposed in an appropriate landfill. (PB-4) * The operator does not have a atormwat er permit. (see PB-5) ' A high wall situated on the northwestern portion of the permit is located within about 30 feet of a power pole and line. The highwall is about 20 feet high, 100 feet long and ie nearly vertical. The operator will need to obtain a written waiver from the owner of the power line to disturb the land within 200 feet or an agreement to mitigate any damage resulting from the mining and reclamation activities. (see PB-6) * The current bond is $5,000.00 which may not be enough to complete the required reclamation activities. The operator is in the process of transferring the permit and the new operator is contemplating some changes to the mining plan and may wish to complete some regrading activities soon after squiring the permit. With this in mind, the operator will need to submit a new mining plan in the form of a technical revision to the permit. After the reclamation work is completed, the operator will need to re-calculate the cost to reclaim the site. (see PB-7)