2008-03-05_INSPECTION - M1999120

Home Browse Search

(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1999-120 INSPECTION DATE 02/28/08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC OBSERVATIONS This was citizen complaint inspection of the Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine conducted by Erica Crosby and Peter Hays of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Lynn Mayer Shults of L.G. Everist, Inc. and Richard Schneider were present during the inspection. The site is located 2 miles northwest of Fort Lupton in Weld County, Colorado. The Division holds a reclamation bond in the amount of $526,000.00. The Division received two citizen complaint letters dated January 16, 2008; one letter from Ross Bachofer and the second from Weld County Public Works Department. Both complaint letters are in reference to flooding on Ross Bachofer's property. The property is located on a parcel of land adjacent to the South Platte River, north of Fort Lupton between Weld County Road (WCR) 16 and WCR 18. The 6.36-acre parcel is on the east bank of the river across from the Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel pit, in Section 20, Township 2N, Range 66W. According to Mr. Bachofer, a storm event occurred in the spring of 2007 that resulted in minor flooding in the over banks of the South Platte River. Mr. Bachofer believes that the flood pattern has been altered due to the various gravel mines that are in or next to the flood plain. Mr. Bachofer is concerned that the blocking of conveyance on the west over bank associated with activities in the gravel mines has forced floodwaters off the west over bank and into the east over bank areas where his property is located. Weld County inspected the Bachofer property on June 26, 2007 and observed vegetated earthen berms across the river on the Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine. Weld County requested that the Division determine if berms are allowed on the mine site as a component of the mining and reclamation plan. The Division inspected Mr. Bachofer's property and discussed the flooding that occurred to the property in 2007. Mr. Bachofer indicated the location of the flood waters in relation to the house. Sandbags were noted along the bottom entry and water levels rose midway to the wood planters. According to FEMA maps obtained from their web page, the property is close if not within the limits of the 100-year flood plain. See attached map for further detail. The Division inspected the Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine. The operator has installed a number of topsoil and overburden piles along the west bank of the river. The piles range in height from 4 feet to nearly 15 feet and have been in place for 2-3 years. The material will ultimately be used to reclaim the Golden Reservoir to the required 3h:ly slopes. According to the operator, portions of the piles have been moved this winter as the site has been reclaimed. In accordance with Rule 3.1.9, topsoil stockpiles must be stored in places and configurations to minimize erosion and located in areas where disturbance by ongoing mining operations will be minimized. The approved mining and reclamation permit does not allow for the stockpiling of material in these locations. The operator will need to remove/relocate all piles that were not previously approved by the Division as stockpile locations on or before April 1, 2008. As an alternative, the operator may submit a revision to the Division demonstrating that the stockpiling of berms and topsoil piles will not have any affect on the routing of floodwaters. Such revision (or combination of removal and demonstration) must be submitted by March 17, 2008 and implemented on or before April 1, 2008. See page 3 for additional detail. The Golden Reservoir was lined with a bentonite slurry wall in 2006 to facilitate mining and the construction of a water reservoir. The area is actively being mined and reclaimed. Slopes on the eastern side of the pit are graded to approximately 3h:ly. Upon further review of the file, the site is within the 100-year flood plain of the South Platte River. The eastern edged of the pit is approximately 200 feet from the South Platte River. The approved mining and reclamation plan does not address how flood waters will be safely passed in the event of a flood. LG Everist will need to demonstrate that the lined pits will safely pass the 100-year flood event in the form of a revision to the permit on or before June 1, 2008. See page 3 for additional detail.