2008-12-09_INSPECTION - M1994108

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1994-108 INSPECTION DATE 12/3/08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE OBSERVATIONS This inspection occurred in response to a request from Sky Ute Sand & Gravel (the Operator), who is leasing the pit from Noland, Inc. (the Permittee), for an on-site meeting to discuss permitting options. The Cedar Point Pit is approved for 60 acres affected land. Affected lands will be reclaimed to support pastureland post-mining land use. The Division holds $39,244 financial warranty. Six photos and an updated reclamation cost estimation totaling $126,966 accompany this report. According to permit documents approximately 70% of the permit area was disturbed by pre-permit mining activities. The pre-permit disturbance extended beyond the north permit boundary. Topsoil was not salvaged from the pre-permit mining activities and not available for reclamation purposes. Approved mining activities would remove the gravel deposit to the underlying shale, in some places as deep as 45 feet, resulting in a highwall along the east permit boundary and a pit floor which daylighted with native slopes along the west permit boundary. The phased mine plan would limit affected lands to 28.64 acres (15.29-acre pit area and 13.35-acre processing yard, per TR-01) with contemporaneous reclamation. The available overburden, processing fines and reject materials would be utilized to backfill the highwall to 3H:1 V and provide an earthen cover of unspecified thickness for the pit floor area. The pit floor would be graded at 3% to provide positive drainage to the west. The reclamation seed mix for the 3H:1 V slope areas included Pubescent wheatgrass, Crested wheatgrass, Russian wildrye and Alfalfa. The reclamation seed mix for the pit floor area included Smooth brome, Orchardgrass, Tall fescue and Alfalfa. The two pre-permit ponds and the mine access road would remain as permanent structures. As shown in the photos, mining activities have affected the entire permit area. The Operator indicated that the pit was recently mined aggressively in response to several highway construction contracts. Various stockpiles of mined and reclamation materials occupied the pit floor. The Operator has salvaged and stockpiled available overburden and reject materials at appropriate locations for reclamation purposes. Topsoil stockpiles have been seeded and mulched to protect topsoil per Rule 3.1.9(1). Pit drainage is routed to a collection gallery for temporary detainment and infiltration. The collection gallery was constructed from a bed of % inch clean gravel, 10 feet wide, 3.5 feet deep and 40 feet long. The top of the collection gallery is protected by clean cobble, three to six inch diameter, or earthen cover to be revegetated. Should surface drainage exceed the gallery's capacity, such drainage is routed through a filter of 3/8 inch clean gravel to retain sediment and encourage infiltration prior to discharge from the site. Fuel storage tank was enclosed in a lined spill containment cell. Final reclamation has commenced for depleted portions of the pit area. Portions of the 3,300 foot long highwall have been reduced to approximately 2H:1 V and reclamation grading and topsoil replacement has been completed for approximately seven acres near the south permit boundary. The Operator indicated that slope reduction for the highwall would be completed in the immediate future with all reclamation complete within a couple years. Notice to Increase the Financial Warranty Pursuant to Rule 4.2.1, the Division has reviewed the current cost of reclamation at $126,966. Enclosed please find 22 pages of summary, work sheets and data sheets utilized by the Division to estimate the cost of reclamation. The estimation is based upon conditions of the approved reclamation plan and observations made during the inspection and recorded in this report.