Laserfiche WebLink
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: 1.11 <br />INSPECTION DATE: Mny 2dth 9n11n INSPECTORS INITIALS: -1LE- <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Lehr Gravel Pit, DRMS File No. M-1983-213 operated by Weld <br />County. This site is located approximately four miles southeast of Carr, Colorado in Weld County. I, Jared <br />Ebert of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mr. Greg Nelson <br />of Weld County accompanied me on the inspection. <br />This is a 36.45 acre 112c operation. The site is split into two different areas discussed in the original permit <br />application. The first area is located on the east and northeast side of the site. The area was previously mined <br />by the State Highway Department, Weld County and various other entities prior to when the site was <br />permitted, according to the original mining application. The plan was to use this portion of the site as a <br />working area and for topsoil storage. The second area is west of the previous mining area where the majority <br />of the permitted mining operation occurred. <br />The site where the previous mining occurred is where the current haul roads are located. The haul road <br />enters the mine from the south and loops to the northern end of the site and then back southeast to the <br />entrance. Several piles of topsoil are located in this area. Each of these piles are stabilized with vegetation. <br />There is one stockpile of material Mr. Nelson believed to be topsoil located in the northern portion the <br />previous excavation area (See Figure 7). This area is indicated on the attached reclamation plan map. Mr. <br />Nelson indicated the county would likely leave that area as it is since it has largely been vegetated. The <br />current reclamation plan indicated this portion of the permit area will be graded to match the surrounding <br />site. This pile of material at this location has steep side slopes of about 1.5:1 to 2:1 horizontal to vertical ratio, <br />which is not compatible with the post mine land use of rangeland. This pile will need to be graded so the side <br />slopes have a 4:1 ratio as approved in the reclamation plan. Also a small stockpile is located adjacent to this <br />pile that will also need to be graded out. The disturbance caused by this activity will need to be reclaimed and <br />re-vegetated in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br />The second area located west of the previous mining area has been mined out. One large stockpile of mined <br />material is located at the center of this portion of the site. The county will continue to haul material from the <br />pile as it is needed. The excavation created a large rectangle shaped pit. The majority of the pit side slopes <br />were graded to a 4:1 ratio. Mr. Nelson pointed out several areas that need to be re-graded to the required <br />slope. Some topsoil is in place in berms around the top of the pit slopes. These piles were stable with <br />vegetative cover. It appears a large portion of the site will no longer be disturbed. The Division recommends <br />the Operator finish the remaining grading activities and spread the topsoil and begin to re-vegetate the <br />portions of the affected that will not be disturbed from the extraction and transportation of the mined <br />material from the central stockpile. This was discussed with Mr. Nelson at the site.