Laserfiche WebLink
(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1997-026 <br />INSPECTION DATE 08/07/09 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS PSH <br />The Carol Ann Pit, File No. M-1997-026, was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining <br />and Safety (Division) at the request of Jason Burkey with B & B Excavating. Mr. Burkey and Bob Newbe, <br />landowner, were present during the inspection. <br />Mr. Burkey requested a meeting with the Division to discuss a land swap with Lafarge West, Inc. which is <br />operating the gravel pit east of the Carol Ann Pit. The Carol Ann Pit and Lafarge site are owned by Mr. <br />Newbe. As noted during the previous inspection by the Division on March 20, 2008, mining and processing <br />are only taking place in the western portion of the Carol Ann site. The eastern portion of the site has been <br />completely mined and most of the slopes have been reclaimed to no steeper than 3:1. Due to storage of <br />topsoil and overburden at the top of the eastern boundary and southern slope near the southeastern corner <br />the slopes appear steeper than 3:1. Mr. Burkey stated the topsoil and overburden stockpiles would be moved <br />prior to the proposed Lafarge land swap and the materials would be used to reclaim the Carol Ann Pit. The <br />proposed land swap would include approximately 4 acres, to be verified by a surveyor, from the toe of the <br />tree island slope as the western extent to the current north and south permit boundaries. <br />The proposed land swap between the Carol Ann Pit and the Lafarge site to the east would allow Lafarge to <br />mine the eastern Carol Ann Pit slope, the western Lafarge site slope and the easement between the two sites <br />creating a consistent pit floor elevation. The pit floor elevations and the proposed Carol Ann acreage will be <br />surveyed in the near future to evaluate the feasibility of the land swap. The following steps would be <br />required by the Division to complete the land swap: <br />• Lafarge must submit and receive approval of an amendment application, per Rule 1.10, to expand the <br />permit boundary to include the eastern slope of the Carol Ann Pit. The amendment application must <br />include all applicable exhibits and fees. A copy of Rule 1.10 is attached for reference. <br />• Following the approval of the Lafarge amendment application, B & B must submit a technical revision, <br />per Rule 1.9, to reduce the site acreage and revise the reclamation plan map. <br />The vegetation observed in the eastern portion of the site consisted of intermediate wheatgrass, kochia and <br />white and yellow clover. The wheatgrass was well established, however approximately 30% of bare ground <br />was observed. Intermediate wheatgrass is not included in the approved seed mix for the Carol Ann site. A <br />copy of the approved seed mix is attached for reference. Mr. Newbe stated "rock picking" would occur at the <br />site this summer requiring the eastern portion of the site to be reseeded in the fall. The technical revision <br />process to revise the seed mixture was discussed during the inspection if Mr. Newbe decides to change the <br />desired reclamation vegetation.