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• (Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-097 INSPECTION DATE 10/19/01 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. The operator was not able to be present at the inspection. County haul trucks and a loader were operating at the site during the inspection, but no contact was made. A private crushing contractor was also operating in the pit during the inspection, processing material for the county. No permit ID sign was observed anywhere along the access road, between the gate at the highway right-of-way fence to the permitted area. The Rules require that a sign be posted and visible, and that it contain all information required by the Rules. Four clearly identifiable permit boundary corner markers were observed (each containing the permit numbed. Due to the close proximity of active mining to the permitted area boundary, the requirement for marking the "affected area" boundary should be reviewed and complied with. A copy of Rule 3.1.12 is therefore enclosed with the operator's copy of this report, to explain the sign and affected area marker requirements. It is suggested that sufficient unmined buffer around the pit be maintained, all within the permit boundary lines, to allow adequate room on which to stockpile stripped topsoil or growth medium, to reduce pit highwalls by cut and fill, and allow equipment maneuvering room. All operations are confined to the northern half of the site. The stockpiles being used by the county are located in the NW corner, pit floor in the north central part, and the area being mined by the crushing contractor along the NE to east central area. Some of the older pit highwalls have been sloped, but not fully reclaimed. A small pile of oversized material (boulders up to 2 to 3 feet in size) is located along the current southern highwall. The mining clan calls for stripping all available topsoil for later use in reclamation Some topsoil is presently stockpiled on the site In the NW corner is the oldest material which is becoming completely infested by Canada thistle This is noted as a problem in this resort under the tonic of "revegetation." The operator must contact the USFS about any noxious weed control requirements or restrictions which exist for this land Inone was seen in the review of the SUP on file) If a plan exists a copy must be provided to the Division to become part of the permit requirements If no plan exists one must be created in consultation with the USFS. county weed control officer or other qualified person The plan submitted to this office must be accompanied by the written commitment to implement it beginning in the next suitable season. Please see the last page for the corrective action date. by which this submittal is to be received by this office. The SE part of the active mining area contains a new topsoil stockpile, from a small stripped area south of the mining area. The operator must ensure that it does not become weed infested, that it is seeded to prevent it from eroding (since it presumably so scarce already), and that it does not slough offsite Isince its toe is ON the permit boundary line). Conditions listed in this paragraph are not a problem yet, but could become one if the topsoil is allowed to move or degrade. Significant portions of the active highwall also contain unstrapped topsoil even though it should have been removed for later use in reclamation. Outside-generated material to be mixed with the onsite material to provide binder has been dumped along the top of the highwall on too of native grass and soil The topsoil here might be the deepest anywhere on the site, with an observed depth of nearly a foot. As mining proceeds, the native highwall material is actively mixed with the binder Iglus the topsoil) as it falls into the loader bucket. The operator is reminded that the practice of wasting deep topsoil must cease when it is already being poorly protected lea weedy stockpiles) and is scarce 12 to 4" deep according to the permit conversion materials) Such practices will result in delayed and/or more expensive reclamation This observation is noted as a problem under the topic of "topsoil " The operator must provide a statement committing to salvage of all possible topsoil or other onsite materials demonstrated to be suitable for use as growth medium. Please see the last page for the corrective action date. This eastern highwall noted above has been allowed to encroach on the permit boundary too close to allow cut and fill reduction from above. This requires immediate cessation of mining any closer to the highwall, and the immediate backfilling against the highwall to avoid failures which would carry mining disturbance outside the permit boundary la possible violation). After reduction to the final 3:1 gradient, the dumped binder material should be carefully removed, and topsoil replacement should be performed to protect the slope to reduce the need for additional work on or above the slope. The southern part of the pit is still available for mining, with the northern part still containing a couple small corner areas to mine. If need be the pit floor could be deepened, as long as the groundwater is not exposed, and highwalls are reduced. The operator should regularly review the approved permit plans. As long as the operator allows other contractors to operate in the pit, all pertinent requirements must be communicated to them, to avoid problems and extra expenses.