GENERAL47818 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STATE OF COLORADO RICHRRDD IAMM ~a~ III III III IIIIIII III 999 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES D. Monte Pascoe, Executive Oireclor MINED LAND RECLAMATION 423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866.3567 David C. SheNon Director September 3, 1981 Mr. Douglas L. Conger Nielsons, Inc. P. 0. Box 1660 22419 County Road G Cortez, Colorado 81321 J RE: Cortez Pit, Delores Our file nos. 76-59, Inspection Reports Dear Mr. Conger: River Pit, Gai Pit, Hamilton Pit, and Butler Pit 77-2, 77-95 R0, 77-96 R0, and 77-g7 R0, respectively On August ISth and 19th, Mike Stanton and I inspected the above captioned operations. Enclosed please find the inspection reports for these five opera- tions (or former operations). I have also reviewed the files for these opera- tions and have some comments relative to that review as well as the inspections. As far as the three reclamation only ("RO") permits are concerned, it seems that reclamation is essentially complete and successful. Therefore, 1 am recommending that the files be closed on these three pits. No further inspections should be necessary. As you can see from the inspection report on the Cortez Pit, these are two problems. First, the steepness of the bench faces is causing slope failures due to tension cracking. When the benches are put into final configuration, they should be sloped back to at least 1.5:1 (as per the permit) to avoid such failures over the long term. Second, it was not evident that topsoil was being stockpiled on the site. How much topsoil has been stockpiled, and where has it been stockpiled? If topsoil has not been stockpiled in sufficient quantities for revegetation purposes, what material is to be used for a growth medium? The Delores River Pit also deserves mention. There was originally an alternate reclamation plan for the site if the area is not inundated. This plan requires the salvage and stockpiling of topsoil to the extent of at leas[ 17,000 cu. yds. Topsoil stockpiles were difficult to identify on the site. Please clarify this situation. A review of the file shows that the bond for this operation is $42,000.00. Our Division also has a bond for this operation in the amount of $2,500.00 with the Colorado Lien Co. as principal. Should this other bond be releasedl Please clarify this situation, as well. A letter from the Bureau of Reclamation stating that they will take over responsibility for the reclamation or stating that the area will be inundated is still needed. This might help to clarify the topsoil problem. I will expect to hear from you in the near future concerning these matters. If you have any questions, please call me. Sincerely, Nark 5. InyC, Rr`clamrtinn Sr~.i•+list tr~cios.urg.s..