INSPEC43895

• Permit No: M1996060
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 12/7/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MINE ID # OR PROSPECTI• ID#: M-1996-060 • PAGE: 3
INSPECTION DATE: 12-7-00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ACS
south edge of the facilities area. A post and rail fence has been installed on the berm
along 83`a Avenue. These low topsoil berms are within the 100 hundred year floodplain, but
should not result in higher flood peaks due to the floodplain storage created when sand and
gravel is removed. There is another large topsoil stockpile located at the south end of the
existing permit area. This pile has steep side slopes and weedy vegetation. Since this is
a long-term stockpile that will be used in the eventual reclamation of the facilities area,
this pile must be sloped and seeded. See PB-1 on the final page of this report.
Parcel 2 that will be added to the permit through the amendment was inspected. There is an
"excluded area" located along the east edge of parcel 2 that will not be affected by the
Operator. This excluded area is currently used by the landowner as a storage yard for farm
equipment, parts, old tires, etc. It was also observed that concrete rubble has been dumped
along the river directly to the south of the excluded area. The Operator will maintain a 100
foot mining setback from the river and will not armor or otherwise manipulate the riverbank
or riparian zone. The underground pipelines located in the permit amendment parcels will be
marked with T-posts prior to mining and a 25 foot mining setback will be maintained. The
Division of Minerals and Geology considers marking of the underground pipelines prior to
mining in each parcel to be an enforceable requirement of the reclamation permit and
necessary to protect the pipelines from damage under Rule 6.4.19.
The Operator intends to reclaim portions of parcels 2 and 1 to create a fish farm/culture
ponds. This is in accordance with lease agreements with the landowner. If the State of
Colorado were to reclaim the site under a permit revocation and bond forfeiture situation,
the fish farm would not be constructed. The state does not hold sufficient bond funds to
build the culture ponds, and typically does not conduct specialty type reclamation in permit
revocation cases. Instead, a group of 3, 4, or 5 larger ponds would be installed by the
state. The fish farm plan is enforceable by the landowner through the lease agreement only,
and the landowner must not rely on the reclamation permit or the reclamation bond held by the
state to assure that the fish farm will be built. The landowner is being sent a copy of this
report so there will be no future confusion on this matter.
It is difficult to see on the maps provided with the permit amendment application, but there
is a concrete lined ditch running along the east edge of parcel 2. This appears to be a tail
water ditch cut from the Whitney ditch to the river. Where the Operator will construct ditch
crossings, and agreement must be obtained from the ditch owners and the controlling Board.
Parcel 1 in the amendment area was inspected. This parcel includes an area on the higher
river terrace that is above the floodplain. This area is currently cropland and will be
backfilled and returned to cropland following mining. Where a post mining land use of
cropland is proposed, topsoil salvage, preservation, and replacement is critical. The
cropland topsoil must be salvaged through the A-horizon without mixing or inclusion of
inferior quality soils. The soil should be stockpiled in low berms, out of the floodplain
and in areas where the piles will not be disturbed or relocated during mining. The
stockpiles should be sloped to 3:1 and seeded and mulched in accordance with the approved
revegetation plan. Certified weed free seed and mulch are recommended. Signs should be
installed to identify the stockpiles as cropland topsoil. When topsoil is replaced for
reclamation, it must be spread in as even a manner as possible.
Parcel 3 in the amendment area was also inspected. This area is currently irrigated cropland
located north of the Whitney ditch. This parcel will be reclaimed as a single large ground
water fed lake. Based on ground water level observations made during this inspection, the
lake will be very shallow unless supplementary water is provided. The Operator stated that
the landowner intends to use existing ditch shares to supplement the lake.
The application form included with the amendment application indicates that 195 acres will
be added to the existing 133 acre permit area for a total permit acreage of 328 acres.
However, the legal descriptions for parcels 1,2 and 3 included in exhibit A to the amendment