INSPEC42948

• Permit No: M1989120
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• From: DMG
• To: Aggregate Industries - WCR Inc.
• Inspection Date: 5/30/2002
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 3)
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-
INSPECTION DATE,
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
All has collected 1.5 years worth of water level measurements from 3 on-site wells
Monitoring data suggests a 11.5' drop in water levels since monitoring first began
There are 3 ponds with a combined water surface of approximately 10 acres
Dewatering activities began approximately April 19, 2001 and consist of pumping
alluvial groundwater from the pit floor at a rate of 3300 gpm, 16-18 hrs/day, 7
days/week. Mr. Warren indicated that All has been pumping continuously at
this rate and schedule throughout 2001 and 2002. For a majority of this period,
All has been pumping approximately 'h of the pit discharge to the South Platte River
and 'h of the pit discharge to a water ski lake (former gravel pit) immediately east of
Highway 85. The discharge rate to the water ski lake is reduced as the lake becomes fully
recharged.
6.The following observations/measurements were made in reference to the mine plan:
The operator appeared to be in compliance with the 100' setback requirement from the South
Platte River.
There is one large pit excavation in the southern 'h of the permit area, with an
additional excavation immediately to the north containing approximately 7 acres of exposed
groundwater surface.
There are two {2) process water ponds comprising 3 acres of ponded water surface
The depth of pit excavation was estimated to be 28' below ground surface.
Several boundaries of the active pit excavation were measured by Mr. Warren and Mr.
Schreiner via pacing. Remaining pit measurements were verified from the 2001 Annual Report
Map. This inspector estimates the total pit disturbance to be 18 acres.
Mr. Warren estimated that mining excavation on the east side of the South Platte River will
be completed in two (2) years if excavation continues at the present rate.
Total completion of the mine plan will result in two (2) cells with a combined surface area
of approximately 73 acres.
There are approximately 1-2 acres of access road disturbance.
There are approximately 8 acres of plant processing area disturbance, as indicated on
the 2001 Annual Report Map.
There is also a concrete batch plant in the northeastern portion of the permit area.
The total site disturbance (excluding the concrete batch plant) is estimated to be
36-38 acres.
7. A discussion with the complaintants at the office of Golden West Farms revealed that the
water column has dropped significantly in a number of domestic and irrigation wells east of
Highway 85 (in the vicinity of the Platte Valley Pit) since dewatering activities began at
the Platte Valley Pit. The complaintants expressed their concern over the possible loss of
hundreds of acres of agricultural crops for the 2002 season due to lack of water. Mr. Van
Slyke and Mr. Rein indicated that the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) will conduct an
investigation to assess AII's compliance with OSE permitting requirements, the probable cause
of the significant water level declines, and whether there has been material injury to any
of the wells in question. Water level data collected by several of the complaintants was hand
delivered to Mr. Van Slyke and Mr. Rein. Mr. Schreiner also indicated that the Division of
Minerals & Geology (DMG) will conduct an investigation to assess AII's compliance with the
approved mine and reclamation plan and the Construction Material Rules and Regulations.
8. Based on the observations noted above in Item 6, it appears that a detailed, follow-up
field inspection is needed to accurately determine the extent of disturbances at the Platte
Valley Pit. Compliance with the terms of the mine plan can then be determined. This