2008-01-04_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1992102

• Permit No: M1992102
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 1/4/2008
• Doc Name: Response to Inquiry
• From: DRMS
• To: Carol Ibach
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

and does not constitute a deadline whereby mining must cease. Mining activities may continue
as long as mineable resources exist and the operation remains in compliance with the conditions
of the approved permit, and the requirements of the Colorado Land Reclamation Act for the
Section 34-32.5-101, et seq.,
Extraction of Construction Materials, C.R.S. 1984 as amended (the
"Act"), and the requirements of the Mineral Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land
Reclamation Board for the Extraction of Construction Materials (the "Rules").
The Division conducts periodic inspections of mining operations as necessary to verify
compliance with permit conditions and the Act and Rules. The frequency of inspection is
determined by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (the "Board"), based on the type of
operation and its potential to affect human health, property or the environment. For operations
where a significant potential to affect human health, property or the environment exists, such as
for Designated Mining Operations, the Board has determined an inspection frequency of one year
or less. However, for operations where such potential appears low, such as for the South D-20
Pit, the Board has determined an inspection frequency of approximately four years.
The Division has conducted five on-site inspections of the South D-20 Pit operation. These
inspections occurred on March 10, 1994, February 18, 1996, December 18, 1996, August 9,
2000, and February 17, 2005. In the report generated from the 1994 inspection, the Division
identified a possible problem due to the absence of a mine identification sign and affected area
markers, as required under Rule 3.1.12. The Operator responded by posting the required sign
and markers. The reports generated from the subsequent four inspections indicate that the
.Operator has maintained the sign and markers in accordance with Rule 3.1.12. No other
problems or possible violations at the South D-20 Pit have been observed or recorded by the
Division. Division records indicate that operations at the South D-20 Pit are compliant with permit
conditions and the Act and Rules.
Thank you for taking the time to write your concerns to the Division. Please contact me at the
Division's office in Durango at 701 Camino del Rio, Room 315, Durango, CO 81.301, phone (970)
247-5469, fax [phone], if I can be of additional service.
Sincer~e~lJy-,--~
Wallace H. Erickson
Environmental Protection Specialist
cc: Judy DeVincentis, Western Gravel, Inc.
Tony Waldron, DRMS