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PERMIT #: M-1977-425 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br />INSPECTION DATE: October 18, 2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was an acreage reduction inspection for the Strang Pit, a 112c sand and gravel permit operated by Larimer <br />County, conducted by Eric Scott of DRMS. DRMS visited the site with Dennis Morrison, assistant director of <br />Larimer County Road and Bridge Dept. The permit property is also owned by Larimer County. On September <br />2, 2010 Larimer County requested a release of the southern area this permit consisting of ponds A, B, D and E. <br />The approved post-mining land use for this permit area is "recreation" and will consist primarily of unlined <br />groundwater lakes. <br />Lake A has been defined as "pre-1981" exposed groundwater at this site. The permanent augmentation plan for <br />the remaining lakes to be constructed on this site is on file with the State Engineer's Office (SEO), however, <br />when notified of the release request SEO objected based on the fact that the county did not have a well permit in <br />place for operations at this site. The county has since applied for a well permit to resolve this issue, and the <br />application is currently in review by the SEO office. Larimer County should provide DRMS with evidence of <br />approval of the well permit by SEO when this process is completed to avoid possible hydrologic balance issues <br />in the future. <br />During the inspection and site tour it was determined that, although the site is generally in good condition and <br />well run, that the areas proposed for final release are not yet ready at this time. The old pump house still in <br />place at the NE corner of pond A will need to be removed. The existing roadways along the top of the dikes <br />between ponds need to be removed, ripped and vegetated and the roadside berms need to be leveled. Some <br />areas of existing shoreline need to be re-sloped to meet the 3:1 sloping requirements for final release due to <br />shoreline erosion. Several Russian Olive trees along the perimeter of the site will also need to be removed, and <br />weed control measures will need to be taken in several areas to eliminate cheatgrass and bindweed prior to <br />release. Ponds D and E were also not yet filled with water at the time of the inspection. <br />The only inspection issue noted during this visit was the lack of secondary containment around the two fuel <br />tanks present on-site. Appropriate secondary containment (impermeable containment for at least 110% total <br />tank capacity) for these tanks should be put in place as soon as reasonably possible to avoid possible future <br />enforcement action. <br />After discussions at the site during this inspection, Larimer County has withdrawn the partial release request for <br />the site to complete the reclamation tasks outlined above, as well as determine the best way to release these <br />areas from the permit while insuring that the areas to be released are not impacted by continuing mining <br />activities at the remainder of the site. <br />Inspection Contact Address <br />Dennis Morrison <br />Larimer County, Road & Bridge Dept. <br />P.O. Box 1190 <br />Fort Collins, CO 80522 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />