_INSPECTION - C1981008 (29) - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Horizon Mine. 12g. 2 Prior to the field inspection Mr. Gubka oriented us on an aerial photo of the mine and adjacent areas. We discussed the recent prime farmland identification and handling issues, and the recent bond release inspection. We reviewed three recent blasting records, shots 1235, 1237, and 1238 which appeared to contain all the required information. Mr. Gubka explained the blasting and blast monitoring process. We discussed the weight distance formula calculation procedure. I reviewed the approved DRMS permit at the Nucla (County Annex), Volume VI, Section 2.05.3(6) (a)the Overburden Blasting Plan revised July 2006. There are 7 habitable residences within a 'h mile radius of the blast area over the life of the current permit area (925.70acres) Ms. Talvitie began the inspection at the sediment pond# 7, a two cell sediment pond. This area is stable, and the pond was not discharging. We discussed WET water sampling test results at this location. We proceeded and made observations and/or stops at the following: M. Moore- irrigated pasture land (All designated prime farmland is south of county road BB, and west of 2700 road. WFC is currently operating on prime farmland soils on the Morgan property. Some of this prime farmland soil was affected prior to the NRCS consultation discussed above. (The Darvey soil type-similar to the Barx soil type- was not designated as a prime farmland soil type on the existing NRCS Colorado Important Farmland Inventory-1980; and the March 1998 Intermountain Resource Inventory used to permit operations on the Morgan property and the current mine plan and permit area) topsoil stockpile,the Krill drainage (which intercepts irrigation water surface runoff), San Miguel Power Company land, Western Fuels Land, we discussed a small section of former BB Detour road which had been recently reclaimed-it needs to be seeded and mulched during this 2008 seeding season, sediment pond# 8 was not discharging and had not discharged since March 2008, we discussed the temporary diversion on the south end of the Burbridge property and that it should be reclaimed to the same land use once it is reclaimed, and we inspected the box cut area discussing alternative sediment control and small area drainage exemptions possibly applicable to the box cut spoil pile. The box cut spoil pile has a rocky and rough surface and is stable. We proceeded to the active pit and observed an overburden blast. All blast warning signs, road closures, and audible warning signals were implemented as required. Contemporaneous grading and limited topsoil pre-strip disturbance is very current and well managed. This mine direct hauls most of their rooting media and topsoil. The prime farmland handling plan being reviewed TR#57 (Table 2.05.4(2) (d) lists prime farmland by property owner, all prime farmland acreage is located west of 2700 Road. Average A Horizon thickness is shown in the range of 18.1 inches; and average B Horizon(rooting media)thickness is in the 32.4 inch range. The NRCS prime farmland replacement requirement is 48 inches (Total of A and B Horizon replacement). We inspected sediment pond # 11 which was discharging clear water at approximately 350 gpm. Mr. Gubka estimated 350 gpm discharge as this is the amount being pumped into the pond from the active pit. We discussed the "well permit"necessary for pit dewatering, and the permittee is in the process of transferring the existing dewatering well permit, or obtaining approval for a new dewatering permit to pond# 11. Discharge water samples were not taken.