_INSPECTION - M1974052 ‎(13)‎

• Permit No: M1974052
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 11/30/1999
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 2) •
14INE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-74-052
INSPECTION DATE 11/30/99 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
`USERVATIONS
1. A site inspection was made of the Varra Pit No. 1 as part of the Division's 4-Year
Inspection Program. Present during the inspection was Bradford Janes of Varra Companies,
Inc.
2 . The Varra Pit No. 1 is permitted for 374 acres. The operator has posted a financial
warranty in the amount of $139, 500. The post-mining land use is private recreation. Based
on the disturbances noted during the inspection, the existing financial warranty appears
adequate to complete remaining reclamation responsibilities.
3 . With the exception of the Amendment No. 2 area (not yet disturbed) , a majority of the
acreage permitted for the Varra Pit No. 1 has been mined and partially reclaimed. Mr. Janes
indicated that future mining may take place in the Amendment No. 1 area to remove reserves
not mined during previous mining. All disturbances noted were within the permit boundary.
A number of the mined cells within the boundaries of Pit No. 1 have been reclaimed to lakes.
Shorelines have been graded to reclamation contours, topsoiled, and seeded. Many of these
areas do not yet contain a revegetation cover acceptable for financial warranty release. A
variety of weeds (wild mustard, kochia, and russian thistle) are the dominant vegetation on
these slopes. Also, there is minor erosion in the southwest corner of the northwest lake.
Approximately 50 linear feet of bank slope will need to be stabilized and reseeded prior to
financial warranty release.
4. There is a minor concern with structural demolition. A number of structures will need to
be removed prior to approval of financial warranty release in order to comply with the post-
mining land use and approved reclamation plan. These include the southwest lake water intake
structure, the northwest lake dewatering pipe, non-roadable mining equipment at the boneyard
area, and fuel tanks and shop buildings near the site entrance. Review of the permit file
does not confirm that these structures should remain during final reclamation. As an
alternative to their removal prior to financial warranty release, the operator may revise the
reclamation plan and reclamation plan maps to demonstrate the use of these various structures
and the need for them to remain as part of final reclamation of the Varra Pit No. 1 .
5 . An entrance sign and permit area markers have been posted in accordance with the
requirements of Rule 3 .1 .12 . All disturbances appeared to be within the permit area.
I & E Contact Address
❑ CE
NAME Christopher L. Varra ❑ BL
OPERATOR Varra Companies, Inc. ❑ FS
STREET 12910 Weld County Road 13 ❑ HW
CITY/STATE/ZIP Longmont, CO 80504 ❑ HMWMD (CH)
❑ SE
cc: Carl Mount, DMG ❑ WQCD (CH)