INSPEC43784 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• (Page 21 • MINE ID 1l OR PROSPECTING ID k M-78-268 INSPECTION DATE 5/19/99 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS .~ This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 112 Construction Materials permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection but was unable to be present for it. The permit ID sign was posted on the entrance gate at the southwest corner of the site. The permit boundary markers (steel T-posts) were observed along the perimeter. The gate was locked, but access to the site was gained on foot from that lower location and from the road at the northeast corner. The locations of the posted markers appear to match the mapped boundary. The site is being mined from the top, by pushing material down to the lower bench for processing and stockpiling. The slope of pushed material was estimated to be a 3:1 gradient. The gentle gradient and cobbly nature of the material lend stability to this temporary surface. A large pile of crushed material was present in the lower bench area, but the crusher was not there at the time of the inspection. There was no other mining equipment at the site. Topsoil is being saved for reclamation. Stockpiles of soil were observed on both north and south margins of the "push slope". Topsoil has been spread on the uppermost slope, above the upper bench. The gradient is 3:1 or gentler and some revegetation is becoming apparent. The interface between the reclaimed slope and the native slope above it is stable, with no erosion, settling, or sloughing. This pit site is heavily used by deer and elk in winter months, and the pit is closed during that time. Much of the revegetation grasses show signs of grazing, and wildlife tracks and sign are plentiful. A group of seedling pinon pine (about 261 has been planted throughout this upper seeded slope. They are in wire cages, and seem to be surviving and well protected from grazers. The northern of the perimeter topsoil piles and the seeded slope, both mentioned above. are both infested with thistles Imore than one species) There are numerous dead plants from 1998 and manv more new 1999 rosettes now present. The thistles on the seeded slope must be treated, ideally without affecting the desireable vegetation. The stockpile must be treated, so that the problem does not increase when the affected stockpiled soil is to be spread. It is not known if a formal weed control plan exists for this site, or if it is the operator's or BLM's responsibility to provide a plan or treatment. However, it is the Division's policy to require the operator to submit an adequate plan include it in the permit plan and monitor such plan's effectiveness. (Preparation of the plan may be through the assistance of the BLM, county extension office or the county-level weed authority. Please contact this office if there are questions.) At a lower location within a different topsoil area along the northern margin, some of the topsoil stockpile has been damaged by the dozer pushing gravel material down. Several feet of the soil profile are visible in a vertical cutwall. Unless there is a surplus of topsoil, all salvaged topsoil must be protected for reclamation use. The soil in the pile must be stabilized or respread for reclamation, and new graded surfaces seeded to grass. At this time the tonic of "topsoil" is regarded as a problem in this report for the reasons of the infestation of noxious weeds and the dozer damage. Please see the last page for the corrective action and corrective action date. The lower bench shows a minor seep from the toe of the slope being extracted, but no erosion, ponding or instability from the water. A small amount of 3-inch cobbly material has rolled down the outslope below the lower bench onto the road leading to the top of the site. About 100 feet of road length is affected at the present time. The road is inside the permit area, and there is no danger of offsite damage from this, but the operator may wish to remedy this minor road damage before more of the material falls. There is no debris, and no structures at the site. The site is being operated in an orderly manner. Besides the problems described above, there were no further problems. There were no other items observed during the inspection. For all questions or responses to this report, please contact this inspector at the following address or phone: 484 Turner Dr., Bldg. F-101, Durango CO 81301; tel 970/247-5193 or fax 970/247-5104.