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PERMIT #: M-2000-158 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JLE <br />INSPECTION DATE: July 8, 2010 <br />around the majority of the lake. At the northern end of the lake, the operator appears to be pumping sediment generated <br />from the processing operation into the lake. At this location the below water slope appears to be very gentle. Topsoil for <br />this operation is stored in piles in various locations throughout the site as indicated on the latest annual report map. One <br />pile is located south of the groundwater lake adjacent to the rip-rap storage area. Smaller piles are located adjacent to the <br />Sharkey lake excavation. These piles are irregular in shape and size, so it is difficult to determine how much topsoil is <br />stored at the site. <br />The Operator appears to have installed rip-rap in the locations and configuration reported in the September, 2006 Rip-Rap <br />Report submitted to the Division. <br />The first amendment application was approved with two stipulations outlined below: <br />1.) For each crossing of a utility line during slurry wall construction, the Operator must provide DMG notarized <br />documents in accordance with Rule 6.4.19(a) or Rule 6.4.19(c). These notarized documents must be accepted and <br />approved by DMG prior to any excavations to expose the utilities. Alternatively, the Operator may provide an <br />engineering plan for each proposed utility crossing for which an acceptable notarized document is not obtained. <br />Each crossing plan must be approved by DMG prior to any excavations to expose the utilities. <br />2.) The Operator will implement the groundwater monitoring plan as proposed. Specifically, Platte Sand & Gravel <br />will install 4 monitoring wells between the river and the lined areas, monitor the existing well in the Bluff Lake <br />area and monitor wells that were proposed in the original recharge plan to determine pre and post lining water <br />table elevations. Monitoring data will be collected monthly until one year after the first slurry wall as been built, <br />and quarterly after that. Groundwater information will be correlated with the river flow by obtaining stream flow <br />numbers from a local gauging station. Platte Sand & Gravel will include ground water monitoring data with its <br />annual report to the Division. In the event there is a significant drop (2 feet or more) in the water table caused by <br />the slurry wall liner, a recharge ditch will be installed along the west side of the liner and irrigation water will be <br />diverted to it to recharge the area around the trees. Termination of the groundwater-monitoring plan will require a <br />revision to the permit. <br />Division records indicate the slurry wall has been installed, but the Operator has not complied with Stipulation No. 1. The <br />Operator has not submitted the required notarized documents in accordance with Rule 6.4.19 (a) and Rule 6.4.19 (c) or <br />obtained Division approval of an engineering plan. Also, the required groundwater data from Stipulation No. 2 has not <br />been submitted to the Division. The Operator will need to submit evidence the notarized agreements were obtained for <br />the slurry wall crossings prior to when the slurry wall was installed. Also, all of the required groundwater monitoring data <br />to this date will need to be submitted. These issues are cited as a problem and will require corrective action to be taken by <br />the Operator. <br />A significant noxious weed infestation has occurred throughout the entire site. The site was primarily infested with <br />Scotch Thistle, Canada Thistle, and Knapweed. A small amount of Leafy Spurge was observed along the southern portion <br />of the permit area. This issue is cited as a problem and will require corrective action to be taken by the Operator. Weed <br />control was addressed very briefly during the original permitting process; however a weed monitoring and mitigation plan <br />has not been approved or implemented at this site. This will be addressed during the current amendment process. The <br />financial warranty for this site will take into account the current weed infestation. Prior to the approval of a weed control <br />plan through the current amendment process, the Operator will need to treat the current weed infestation. <br />South of the processing site, the proposed excavation area is primarily open grass fields. Low wetland basins are located <br />on the eastern portion of the site. Several roads, fences and ditches traverse this area. The southeast portion of the permit <br />area is enclosed with a fence. Several houses, sheds, oil facilities and roadways are located in this area. The Western <br />Mutual Ditch borders the southern permit boundary and the eastern permit boundary. A large stockpile of material is <br />located next to the Western Mutual Ditch holding pond. Overall, the southern portion of the permit area is heavily <br />infested with noxious weeds. <br />The northern portion of the permit area is also primarily grass fields and low wetland areas. A circular road encompasses <br />where the Sharkey Lake slurry wall was installed. Several large stockpiles of topsoil and overburden are located around <br />the slurry wall road. Several other structures such as houses, barns, sheds, roads and other fences are located throughout <br />Page 4 of 12