|
<br />(Page 21
<br />
<br />MINE ID +C OR PROSPECTING ID J! M-1984-001
<br />INSPECTION DATE 8123/00 INSP CTOR'S INITIALS WHE
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />This inspection occurred in response to operator's request for an on-site meeting with M sa County personnel,
<br />to discuss a revision to the approved reclamation plan. The proposed revision would ad ress final reclamation
<br />of the current disturbance, necessary to achieve complete release of warranties and ter ination of the permit.
<br />Present during the meeting were the operator, John Schmahl; and his attorney, Ric and Livingston; local
<br />contractor, Preston Mease; Mesa County Attorney, Lyle Dechant and Donna Ross; Mesa ounty Planner, Linda
<br />Dannenberger; Mesa County Engineer, Mike Meininger; and DMG staff.
<br />The Surface Rock Pit is approved for 2B acres total affected area. The phased reclamati n plan indicates that
<br />approximately 13.5 acres may be affected at any given time. The permit area is divide into two locations,
<br />areas A and B. Area A is a quarry type extraction of metamorphic and igneous rock, a proved for 18 acres
<br />affected area, approximately 9.5 acres may be affected at any given time. Area B is granite boulder and
<br />backfill material harvesting area, approved for 10 acres affected area, approximately 4 a res may be affected
<br />at any given time. Area B was not visited or discussed during the meeting. Permit st tus is active. DMG
<br />holds 527,000 financial warranty.
<br />Area A Public access is controlled by locked gate. Highwall was visually estimated t 40'-60' tall. Near
<br />vertical sections of the highwall were interrupted by several benches. The highwall ap eared to have been
<br />excavated from competent rock, evidence of instability appeared limited to potenti for rock fall. The
<br />operator has constructed earthen berms, 10' to 15' tall, at the base of the highwall an along Hwy 141, to
<br />ensure that rock fall are trapped on site. Stockpile of -3" material, located at the Phase I area and containing
<br />approximately 60,000 cy, appeared well vegetated and stable. Vegetative cover for th stockpile, including
<br />the steep (< 1 H:1 V) outslope, was well established and included Pinion and Juniper tre s, Yucca, Four-wing
<br />saltbush, Rubber rabbitbrush, Sage brush, Western wheatgrass, Crested wheatgra s, Smooth brome,
<br />additional unidentified grasses, Yellow sweet clover, Broom snakeweed, Flixweed, nd Russian thistle.
<br />Evidence of erosion of the stockpile was observed at two locations where concentra ed upland drainage
<br />crosses the stockpile. The two locations of erosion are illustrated on the attached ma .
<br />The current reclamation plan for Area A indicates that the highwall will be stabilized wi h benches. Benches
<br />are to be 10'-15' wide and spaced at 20' elevation intervals. Vegetative cover for the be ches is not required.
<br />The existing reclamation plan stipulates that the 60,000 cy stockpile of -3" material mu t be either removed
<br />from site, or relocated to the base of the highwall and utilized as backfill to attain the ap roximate 15% final
<br />slope requirement. The 15% final slope requirement extends from the base of the high all to the 25' buffer
<br />zone bordering Hwy 141 of the Phase I area. Topsoil or processing fines, approved s a suitable growth
<br />medium, are to be distributed over affected areas and contoured with 2" creases to redu a runoff and control
<br />erosion. The surface of the affected lands are to be stabilized with an appropriate veg tative cover, which
<br />includes transplanting 60-70 pine trees. Affected lands will be reclaimed to support ildlife habitat post
<br />mining land use. DMG cannot approve full release of warranties and termination of he permit until the
<br />conditions of the approved reclamation plan are satisfied in accordance with the Act a Rules.
<br />Proposed Revision to the Reclamation Plan for Area A The operator has informally i dicated a desire to
<br />permanently cease mining operations and commence final reclamation. However, mining operations have not
<br />advanced as originally planned. The operator has not succeeded in locating a marke for the 60,000 cy
<br />stockpiled material, and the highwall has not advanced sufficiently to require reloc tion of any of the
<br />stockpiled material necessary to attain the final 15% grade from the base of the highw II to the 25' buffer
<br />zone bordering Hwy 141. Additionally, the current configuration of the highwall does n t appear to satisfy
<br />the final reclaimed highwall design approved in the existing permit. The operator has ad ressed concerns for
<br />public safety and has minimized the potential for adverse impacts to Hwy 141, resultin from rock fall, by
<br />constructing the rock-trapping earthen berms at the base of the highwall and along Hwy 141. However, the
<br />
|