2010-08-11_INSPECTION - M2005003

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PERMIT #: M-2005-003 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH INSPECTION DATE: July 20, 2010 OBSERVATIONS The Van Valkenburg Gravel Pit, File No. M-2005-003, was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. Mr. William Van Valkenburg, permittee and landowner, was present during the inspection. The Van Valkenburg Gravel Pit is located 22 miles southwest of Walden, Colorado in Jackson County. The site was previously inspected by the Division on June 28, 2006. The Van Valkenburg site was active during the'inspection. Lafarge is contract mining the site for the Highway 14 resurfacing project. The project was scheduled to start July 21, 2010 and end in October 2010. An asphalt batch plant was located within the permit boundary in the northeast section of the site. Mining was progressing to the south on the east side of the haul road. Topsoil was stripped and stockpiled along the eastern boundary ahead of mining. The mining highwall was approximately ten feet deep. An entrance sign was posted as required by Rule 3.1.12. All of the required permit boundary markers could not be located during the inspection. The located boundary markers and the current affected area were GPS surveyed with a Trimble Geo XT by the Division. A map indicating the result of the GPS survey is attached. Mr. Van Valkenburg stated Lafarge surveyed the permit boundary prior to beginning mining activities at the site. Lafarge installed metal stakes along the southern and southeast sections of the site. The northern and northeastern markers were not located during the inspection. The western boundary is defined by a fence. The eastern boundary was defined by the topsoil stockpiles. Mr. Van Valkenburg stated he would install permit boundary markers in concrete at the end of Lafarge contract. The site survey conducted by Lafarge revealed two stockpiles of material left by Kirkland Construction, the previous operator and permittee, were located outside of the southern permit boundary. Lafarge moved the stockpiles within the permit boundary and the area will be reclaimed as part of the overall mine reclamation. The Division currently :holds a financial warranty of $10,800, based on a maximum disturbed area of 8 acres. The approved mine plan states, the maximum area at any time shall not exceed 1000,000 yards or an area of 1,000 X 350' X a depth of 9'. The results of the GPS survey indicate 23 acres within the permit boundary have been affected. Therefore, the financial warranty is not sufficient to perform the approved reclamation at the site. Mr. Van Valkenburg stated, Lafarge would reclaim the entire site per the approved reclamation plan at the completion of the overlay project in October 2010. The Division will not require the Operator to post an increased financial warranty to cover the costs to reclaim the current 23 acres of disturbance at this time due to the contractual agreement with Lafarge. However, the Division will re-inspect: the site in October to re-evaluate the site and the required financial warranty. There are three reclamation seed mixes on file with the Division for the site; a seed mix submitted with the permit application, a NRCS recommended seed mix and Division recommended mix in the adequacy review letter dated March 29, 2005. Copies of the seed mixes are attached. The Division recommends the Operator contact the local NCRS office and submit an updated seed mix as a technical revision to the permit, per Rule 1.9, and the required $216 fee to alleviate any confusion prior to re-seeding the site. Enclosures: GPS Map, Copies seed mixes on file with the Division Please contact Peter Hays at (303) 866-3567 Ext. 8124 with any questions regarding this inspection report. Inspection Contact Address William Van Valkenburg Van Valkenburg Cattle Company, LLC 12353 Hwy 14 Walden, CO 80480 Page 2 of 4