Laserfiche WebLink
Additional Pages <br />2003 Annual Report <br />Fountain Pit <br />M-1982-155 <br />Schmidt Construction Company <br />Anniversary Date: December 31 <br />Overview of Permit Year: During the 2003 operating year there was only moderate activity at this site. Mining <br />is proceeding southward into previously stripped land. Only a small amount of additional land was stripped in <br />the past year. It is not expected that much more land will be stripped during the next year. Of course, this all <br />depends on the amount of economic activity and associated market. <br />Annual Report Maps: The enclosed maps show the primary areas of disturbance and the type of disturbance <br />occurring in each azea. When compared to last year, it is evident that the operation changed little in the past year <br />and considerably less than what was expected. Last yeaz it is was expected that the mining would shift to the <br />very south end of the permit area and start mining northward to eventually join the existing operation. Market <br />conditions were not sufficiently favorable to allow that to occur and it is not known when that might occur. It is <br />possible it could occur in 2004, but it will probably not occur unti12005 at the earliest. <br />Affected Lands: The amount of affected land has increased slightly in the last year. The same processes of <br />operating the pit axe being used as have been used in the past. This operation is quite similar to the way it was <br />last year, although slightly lazger. The only other significant change is the continued extension of the conveyor <br />so the plant does not need to be moved. Examination of the site in preparation of this report showed a site that <br />is being kept in excellent condition with very orderly mining processes being used. Washing of gravel in the last <br />year was only limited in extent due to the need to purchase water from the City of Fountain. The effects of the <br />drought on the water supply at the ranch to the south aze still being felt severely with little groundwater <br />available anywhere. Many ponds that are normally full now have little water. It is not known whether this effect <br />is due to the lack of supply or if water is being withdrawn on the Foxt Carson area to such an extent that little <br />water ever makes it that far down the drainage. Most likely it is due to continued residua] effects from the <br />drought of 2002. Moisture in the 2003 year was very limited and snow melt was poor. If the lack of water is due <br />to the drought it may be some time before the entire aquifer can be xechazged sufficiently to re-establish the <br />water supply. In the meantime, water must be purchased and as it is treated water it is quite expensive. <br />Revegetation: The site is stable and is not subject to erosion. No additional revegetation was done in the last <br />year. Topsoil has been stockpiled around the north edge in prepazation fox final topsoiling of the slope south of <br />the stockpiles. <br />Expected Activity (2004): Mining will proceed southward and possibly a little to the east into cuxxentiy <br />snipped land and new, undisturbed land. The operation will primarily move in a southward direction as the <br />quality of the gravel east of the existing operation is of lower quality with smaller pockets of good quality <br />material. <br />Bonding: This operation is covered by a self bond. <br />Schmidt Construction Company 2003 Annual Report M-1982-155 Fountain Pit Page 1 of 1 <br />