INSPEC40142

• Permit No: M1996008
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 8/15/2000
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/8/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• iPage 2) •
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1996-008
INSPECTION DATE 818/00 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 for the inspection. The operator named on page one
was present throughout the inspection. This inspection was to assess the amount of permitted disturbance, since the
financial warranty amount is scheduled for recalculation. The details of the approved reclamation plan will be reviewed
and new bond figures sent to the operator.
The permit ID sign was posted at the west end of the access bridge. The permit boundary is delineated by existing field
fencelines.
The site is accessed from the operator's operations yard via a bridge over the Uncompahgre River. The bridge is in the
permit boundary, and was constructed for the purposes of conducting this operation. It is constructed from an 8 ft x 80
ft steel decked, railroad flatcar, welded side rails, and set on abutments constructed from concrete, steel plate and pilings,
and earth fill. When the bond recalculation is performed, it will include the costs of bridge removal if that detail is stated
in the approved plan.
The pit is located in the northwest corner of the permit area. Access to that area is via a dirt road between the bridge and
the north edge of the pit. Extra fill was placed to protect the city's buried sanitation pipeline. The fill is present and
appears to meet the city's conditions for operating there.
Tho pit is impounding groundwater, at a present level about five feet below surrounding grade. The site was inactive at
the time of the inspection, but when excavation occurs the pit is dewatered by a portable diesel pump to a surface ditch
east of the pit. The pump was present, but no fuel was stored there and there was no contaminated soil. The site will
eventually become a large pond with sloped and revegetated banks around it.
The north banks of the pit are presently graded to a 4:1 slope. The banks are in their final location and configuration, but
the surface has not been topsoiled or seeded yet. The pit will initially expand toward the west, closer to the topsoil
stockpile location, at which time final grading and revegetation is to occur. The south and much of the east banks exist
as low vertical highwalls. Presently there is little stockpiled material onsite, since it is mainly hauled to the nearby yard
for processing.
Topsoil is bermed along the west side of this northwest area. It appears sufficient in amount for reclamation. The sides
of the pile are steep, maybe too steep for establishment of adequate vegetation to protect it. The stripped, level area
adjacent Yo the pile is covered with bindweed and a small amount of thistle. These plants could infest the topsoil if they
are not adequately controlled. The operator stated that weeds are being sprayed periodically, but could not elaborate on
the details of the weed control plan itself. The operator should ensure that the topsoil remains in good condition for
reclamation purposes. Weed control costs should be viewed as part of reclamation, and if weeds are allowed to spread,
the bond will have to reflect that.
A very small patch of knapweed was observed at the east end of the access bridge. It is small and appears "young" (no
old stems from past yearsl. It is recommended that it be removed carefully this year, by hand if possible, to eliminate it
before it spreads into an expensive problem.
The southwest portion of the permit area is still an unmined field, the east half is stilt an elk ranch. Total present
disturbance and the approved mining plan will be accounted for in the new bond calculation. Any increase in the bond
amount will have to be provided within 60 days, according to statute.
There were no problems noted at the time of the inspection. 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 [phone]
or fax [phone].