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f • (Page 2) • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-94-097 INSPECTION DATE 06/20/96 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS R~ OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division ae part of its monitoring of 112 permits and as a pre-operati on inspection of an area proposed to be added to the existing permit area, as described in the recent amendmen t application. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and was present for it. Within the existing 40.9-acre permit area, the following items were observed: 1. The permit ID sign was posted at the entrance from the county road, and all perimeters were delineated by fencelines or field boundaries. 2. Topsoil and overburden has been stripped back and stockpiled along the west edge of the area currently being mined. The operator should ensure that all such piles are located in such a manner that they remain protected from mine disturbance, weathering, and that the two materials do not mix. Every attempt should be made to replace topsoil ae soon after stripping ae possible, since revegetation success is partly due to the live organisms in soil. These populations nearly disappear in stockpiled soil in less than a year. 3. The pre-existing "tailwater" pond is not impacted yet. The north aide of the pond ie bordered by a mine road. Improving the road and raising its grade has temporarily increased capacity of the pond, until the pit reaches that portion by encroaching from the east. 4. Undisturbed areas of the permit are still in irrigated trope. The ditches serving those fields still function. 5. The pit excavation is beginning in the northeast corner and expanding mainly to the south. Processing (screening and crushing) ie occuring outside the pit, since the pit ie still eo small. Likewise, all product stockpiles are up on the unexcavated area adjacent to the pit. Once a suitably large area ie created on the pit floor, to permit the set up of the equipment and allow room to stockpile, those features will be moved into the pit. Mining will go ae deep ae 30 to 35 feet, with a highwall consisting of approx 10-foot benches. The operation is down two benches presently. As the pit expands and operations can avoid certain areas, those portions will be graded to final specs and reclamation performed. Ae yet there is no reclamation oneite. 6. Stormwater runoff from the disturbed area will enter the low corner of the permit, below the pit itself. Control will be through use of an adequately-sized sediment pond. This structure should be regularly monitored to ensure that its capacity remains sufficient to contain runoff from the disturbed area, plus that it does not become filled with sediment rendering it less than fully functional. The following observations were made in the area proposed for expansion, in the amendment application: 7. The "old" gravel pit at the west aide, and the "wetland" or pond near it show no recent disturbance. These are located in a portion of the permit area which will not be near the proposed disturbance. Ae long as they remain undisturbed, any pre-existing condition or damage ie not the responsibility of the operator. The operator stated that he will contact the Army Corps of Engineers for 404 permit if the need to disturb this old pond arises. 8. The structure depicted on the original map, near the old gravel pit, has been removed. 9. The operation will remain unchanged from its present form when it enters the new area. Some stockpiles of topsoil and overburden will be placed at the perimeter of the area (within the wide setback strip) but moat volumes of these materials will be piled on the pit floor. She piles in the pit will be used on the floor, and those above the elopes will be used on the elopes only. High earthwork coats for the current need for long push distances (because all material ie above the pit) ie offset by limited amount of acres presently disturbed and short highwall. When the pit ie larger and disturbance ie greater, long (expensive) push distances will be minimized because moat piles will be in the pit itself. Reclamation will