GENERAL37090

• Permit No: M1977211
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Name: RECLAMING THREE QUARRIES NEAR COLO SPRINGS COLO A COMMUNITY PROJECT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

The Pikeview Quarry Visual Impact Issue
Pikeview Quarry is visible from the I-25 corridor north of Colorado Springs and to the
homeowners in the Rockrimmon development. The linear appearance of the beached slopes and
the exposed light colored rock standout in contrast to the surrounding natural landscape.
Recommendation of the Mining Reclamation Advisory Committee
MRAC recommended that the mining should continue, as it was the best way to achieve an
overall acceptable final topography as material is moved. The MRAC report recognized that the
previously mined azeas would be difficult to address because of the unstable slope. The
wmmittee recommended that rock staining be attempted to reduce the color contrast between the
previously mined azea and the surrounding area. The initial application was to be experimental to
see if the desued effect was achieved. The MRAC report also recognized that the inaccessibility
of the benches would make it difficult to directly apply topsoil and seed. The report
acknowledged that distributing topsoil on the benches could not be practically achieved and as an
alternative recommended that the beaches be seeded using aerial or hydroseeding methods.
For the areas that are yet to be mined, the MRAC report recommended that the benches be
constructed to provide for continued accessibility so that topsoil and vegetation can be placed on
the surface. The report also recommended that the planting on the beaches be in a pattern that:
mimics the existing vegetation patterns on the undisturbed slopes above the quarry.
Pikeview Reclamation Activity and Results
After the MRAC plan was developed, Castle Concrete revaluated its mine plan and determined
that a significant amount of the azea at the south end of the quarry that was to be exposed by
mining could be removed from the mine plan. If mined, this azea would have been highly visible
because of its high elevation within the quarry. In lieu of mining the area, Castle Concrete
wanted to mine deeper into the pit, which is below the line of sight. The concept received support
from the community, and subsequently 25 acres that were to be mined were removed from the
permit azea. In addition, this modification enabled the community and Castle Concrete to
accelerate the enhanced reclamation on a portion of the quarry to the south. The south end of
Pikeview Quarry was sculpted and reclaimed with topsoil, trees and wildflowers. Under the
current plan, the north end will be left as benched rock. The benches are to be sprayed with
Permeon, a rock stain that creates the look of weathered rock. An alternative to this plan, known
as the "layback" plan, is currently being considered and is discussed below.
South End Reclamation
In 1996 and 1997 Castle Concrete finished grading the south end of the quarry so it could be
reclaimed. Between 1996 and 1998, donated topsoil was hauled to the site and placed on the
regraded slopes. Approximately 100 Air Force Academy cadets planted more than 700 Douglas
Fir seedlings on the south end in 1997. Additional plantings by volunteers in 1998 brought the
total number of seedlings to 1,200. Weed control became necessary in two areas of the plantings
in 1998. Weeds were cut and the noxious weeds sprayed with herbicides to reduce competition
for the seedlings.
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