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• (Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID k M-1981-013 INSPECTION DATE 12/19/00 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 at the site. The operators named on page one were present throughout the inspection. The site was identified at the gate by the required permit ID sign. Nearly the entire permit boundary is marked by existing fencelines. The exceptions are the north and northeast boundary of the original 110 permit area, however they are marked adequately by existing features. All activity is contained within the permit area, and conforms to the approved plan. The annual reports adequately depict the areas of activity. Some snow cover existed at the site during the inspection, but not enough to prevent the inspection or to prevent observations of surface activities. Equipment was onsite (wheeled loader and motor grader) but the site was not active at the time of the inspection. Crushing activity has occurred this year, and the crusher has been removed offsite. The scale and scalehouse were in the same location as observed during the last inspection. Since these will probably remain here for the next few years, even though they are portable, they should be added to future annual report maps. There were two fuel tanks in the south part of the pit, with a combined capacity of several thousand gallons. At least one of them was earth-bermed. Both of them were reported to be empty, and to remain empty for the duration of the winter. The operator must ensure that better secondary containment is provided before filling and using the tanks next season, mostly because of the shallow depth to groundwater, and the potential for contamination if a leak or spill occurred. Impermeable membranes are easy to use in combination with earth berms. There is a small utility storage shed in the south part of the pit also, which appears to be used for parts and fluid storage. The operator was urged to provide better secondary containment at this location too, for all the vessels of fluids kept here. The site is being reclaimed as mining progresses toward the south and east. Older parts of the pit (mainly comprising original areas in the 110 permit) are being sloped and prepared for revegetation. The steep slope above the road on the west wall has been backfilled to a 3:1 slope, and may be seeded this winter; much of the northeast highwall and bench have been backfilled and reduced from above, down to 2:1. Overburden stored above this highwall will be moved soon, moving the toe of the slope out onto the north pit floor. Further backfilling or slope reduction below the west road will be performed so as to not disturb the existing woody vegetation, but that will probably "pinch" that north part of the pit floor. Some stockpiling of product and reject material is carried out in this lower, northern pit. Final shaping will be done after all stockpiles are removed, and no future traffic will enter. The stromwater retention berm is present and apparently functional, in the north end of the pit. It will be maintained throughout the life of the mine. Stockpiles of overburden and topsoil exist above the active highwall. They will be move soon, to allow eastward expansion of the pit, as approved under the plan. Some of it will be used for final shaping of the northeast highwall. This shaping will tend to move the toe of the slope out into the pit floor, and may have to wait since the operation is at a narrow point in the pit. A clay lens has been encountered, which further complicates the mining/stockpiling/reclaiming sequence. If additional land is neede to be added to the permit, it must be done as an amendment. tf a change is needed in the mining and/or reclamation phases within the existing permitted land, it may be done as a technical revision. If a change is needed, please contact this office to discuss the options. The bond was reviewed at the time of permit conversion. The site is being operated according to the plan approved under that conversion. The bond is considered at this time to still be sufficient, based on the following factors: new disturbance in the converted portion of the 112 permit is still minimal, and a significant amount of the original 110 permit area is being reclaimed. However, recent rises in fuel costs and labor rates may adversely affect the sufficiency of the band amount, even with no additional mining disturbance. The bond will be reviewed in the future and new figures sent to the operator. There was no debris, contamination, or noxious weeds noted. This is a clean, well operated site