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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1373 Sherman St., Room 215 C O L O RAD O <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 D l v[ S I o N o f <br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 - MIN & A L 5 <br /> <br />AAUgu3st 1L6;22$O8~ G E O L O G Y <br /> 0.ECLANATION•M WING <br /> SAFETY•SCIENCE <br />Ms. Mary Harnett <br />LaFazge West, h7C. Bill Owens <br />1800 N. Taft Hill Road Governor <br />P.D. BOX 2187 Greg E. Walther <br />Ft. Collins, CO 80522 Executive Director <br /> Ronald W. Cattany <br />RE: LaFarge West <br />Inc. <br />Three Bells Pit; Permit No. M-1979-191 <br />TR-O1 <br />Adequacy Letter Division Director <br />, <br />, <br />, <br />, Natural Resource Trustee <br />Dear Ms. Harnett, <br />The Division received your Technical Revision (TR-Ol) for the Three Bells Pit, Permit No. M-1979-191. The <br />revision was submitted as a result of the Division's inspection of May 1, 2003. The revision involves depicting <br />the actual reclaimed configuration of Pond 5 on a map. <br />The Division has only once concern noted in your letter of August 12, 2003. You note that "...some of the <br />material in the existing berms on the south and west side of the pem3it area maybe used to reclaim the area <br />north of Pond 5... if not used for this purpose the beans may stay in place." Please be aware that the approved <br />topsoil replacement depth for this site is 6" to 12" (based on an adequacy review letter submitted to the <br />Division on January 15, 1980 from The Three Bells Ranch). During the May 1, 2003 inspection, the Division <br />did not verify that 6" to 12" of topsoil was replaced on the reclaimed portions of Pond 5, but noted that no <br />topsoil was replace on the area north of Pond 5. <br />If LaFarge intends to retain the stockpile berms as a permanent feature under this technical revision, then the <br />operator will need to demonstrate that all affected lands within the Three Bells Pit have been replaced with 6" <br />to 12" of topsoil. In addition, maps will need to be revised to reflect the location of the stockpiles, demonstrate <br />that they aze stable, and demonstrate that they conform to the postmining land use of pastureland. The <br />retention of the stockpiles as a permanent feature changes their status to a "structure" that must meet the <br />requirement of Rule 3.1.11 of the Construction Materials Rules and Regulations. In particular, the operator <br />must provide a signed, notarized letter from the landowner stating that the landowner accepts the proposed <br />changes to the post mining land use and reclamation plan with the retention of the topsoil piles and the <br />operator will need to submit documentation to the Division that retention of the structures will not conflict with <br />the post-mining land use of pastureland and that the structures conform to local zoning codes. Such <br />documentation must be a letter from Larimer County stating that the stockpiles left in place will meet the <br />zoning requirements and the approved post-mining land use. <br />Please clarify LaFarge's intent to incorporate the retention of topsoiUoverburden piles on site as a part of this <br />Technical Revision. If so, the items noted above must be addressed by September 12, 2003. If you feel more <br />time is needed to complete your reply, the Division can grant an extension to the decision date. This will be <br />done upon receipt of a written waiver of your right to a decision by September 12, 2003 and request for <br />additional time. This must be received no later than the deadline date. If you have any questions, please <br />contact me at (303) 866-4943. <br />S~' ceiely, <br />~c~r <br />a osby <br />Environmental Protection ialist <br />rr• f a_ r~nt;j)MC' (vna Plrrtrnnir trancmiccinnl <br />Office of Office of Colorado <br />Mined Land Rec/ama[ian Attive and Inactive Mines Geological Survey <br />