2008-10-20_INSPECTION - M2000014

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2000-014 INSPECTION DATE 10/01/08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS PSH OBSERVATIONS The Yust Ranch Gravel Pit, File No. M-2000-014, was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, mining and safety (Division) as part of the Division's 4-year monitoring inspection program. Mr. Dennis Carpenter with DMJ General Contractors, Inc. was present during the inspection. The Yust Ranch Gravel Pit is located approximately 2 miles south of Kremmling, Colorado on State Highway 9 and 1 mile west on Grand County Road 1. The Yust Ranch Gravel Pit is permitted for 9.9 acres with a phased maximum allowed acreage disturbance of 3 acres. The operator committed to a phased "not to exceed" disturbance acreage of 3 acres in order to limit the financial warranty. The approved mining plan indicates mining activities will begin at the west permit boundary (Phase 1) and progress to the east (Phase 2 and 3). Topsoil will be stripped and stockpiled on the north and south sides of the site. Mining is expected to take 20 years to complete. No mining activities were observed during the inspection, however stockpiled material was being removed from the site during the inspection. Processing facilities were not observed at the site. Mr. Carpenter indicated a crusher was on site in the spring to process material and create the existing stockpiles. The highwall has advanced east into Phase 2 and 3 of the site since the last annual report and was measured at 20 feet high with a 1:1 slope. A one hundred(100)cubic yard stockpile of recycled asphalt was observed in the northwest corner of the pit. Mr. Carpenter stated the asphalt would be crushed and sold. Three stockpiles of 3/4", 1" and 1 1/2" material were located on the pit floor. Vegetated topsoil stockpiles were located on the north and south sides of the pit. Two crusher fines stockpiles were located on the eastern part of the site. All stockpiles appeared stable and no erosion was noted. The approved post mining land use is rangeland. Reclamation activities have not occurred at the Yust Ranch Gravel Pit. The permit area, haul road, entrance sign, affected area and stockpile locations were GPS surveyed with a Trimble Geo XT by the Division. A map indicating the result of the GPS survey is attached. Yust Ranch Gravel Pit is permitted for a maximum allowed disturbed acreage of 3 acres in order to limit the financial warranty. Based on the observations during this inspection, approximately 4 acres are currently disturbed by mining activities. The pit was surveyed to be 3.1 acres from the toe of the 1:1 highwall slope with a Trimble Geo XT. An estimated additional 1 acre of disturbance has been created by topsoil stockpiles, crusher fines stockpiles and haul roads. The operator has disturbed more than the maximum allowed disturbance acreage. To avoid a possible violation, the operator must, within 60 days, either submit and receive approval of a technical revision to increase the maximum allowed disturbed acreage to a minimum of 4 acres and receive Division approval of adequate financial warranty to cover reclamation of the increased disturbance, or perform required reclamation to reduce the unreclaimed portion of the affected area to 3 acres or less. A copy of Rule 1.9 - Technical Revision to a Permit is attached. The Division currently holds a financial warranty of $7,500, based on a phased bond allowing the operator to disturb a maximum of 3 acres. Based on this inspection, the operator has exceeded the allowed 3 acres of disturbance, therefore the operator is required to post a financial warranty based on 4 acres or the operator my elect to submit a financial warranty for the total permitted acreage of 9.9 acres. The Division prepared a reclamation cost estimates for the Yust Ranch Gravel Pit for 4 and 9.9 acres. The Division estimates the cost to reclaim the current 4 acre disturbance is $12,700 and the cost to reclaim the 9.9 acre site is $28,100.00. A copy of the estimates are enclosed for your review.