Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT #: M-1983-175 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: RCO <br />INSPECTION DATE: December 6, 2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a routine inspection by the Division to monitor the onsite activity and condition. The operator was contacted but <br />was not able to be present. The operator's staff responsible for onsite activity was present and accompanied this inspector <br />throughout the inspection. It has been noted numerous times in the past few years that the ponds that are on the site that <br />were created by excavation of the site are not authorized by the Division of Water Resources, and that water rights must <br />be secured or the plan changed, and the bond must be increased to cover costs of backfilling. The estimated amount of <br />bond increase as well as the noncompliant condition of the ponds was communicated to the operator two years ago but <br />nothing was done to correct these conditions. These topics are now noted as problems in this report and if not handled in <br />a timely fashion will become possible violations to be heard by the Mined Land Reclamation board in an enforcement <br />hearing. <br />(AR) Availability Of Records: <br />Narrative: After the inspection this inspector met with the operator's agent to discuss changes to the permit, to be <br />submitted as an application for amendment. This may include changing the mining plan and/or reclamation plan, adding <br />acreage, noxious weed control plan, and possibly other topics that are noted as problems herein. <br />(BG) Backfilling and Grading: <br />Narrative: The permit includes approval for importing material generated from offsite sources, some of which is pitrun <br />from other permitted gravel pits to be processed at this site, and some of which is benign backfill material such as waste <br />concrete. The excavated pond at the east end of the permit has been partially backfilled from such waste concrete. This <br />continues to be an approved practice, but the operator must ensure that a sufficient depth of growth medium covers the <br />concrete so that vegetation can be successfully established during reclamation. The fine material from aggregate crushing <br />is slurried to another excavated pond from the wash plant, and that practice is also acting to fill a pond and reduce the <br />water surface. <br />(FN) Financial Warranty: <br />Narrative: The operator has overexcavated the site, creating several unauthorized ponds that will have to be backfilled. <br />The operator has also placed a significant amount of junk and debris items in the west end of the site, and since the <br />disposal of these items is not allowed, they will have to be removed. The bond estimate is being updated to include <br />disposal of junk, backfilling of ponds, and aggressive noxious weed control, in addition to the other bonded reclamation <br />tasks. An updated bond estimate packet is being mailed to the operator and his agent under separate cover. (Please note: <br />Under state law, the operator must post any required additional bond within 60 days of notification.) <br />(HB) Hydrologic Balance: <br />Narrative: There are several ponds that were excavated and created by the operator in the permitted area, but they are not <br />authorized by the Division of Water Resources. The operator has tried unsuccessfully to secure the water rights or <br />approval for an augnmentation plan to allow the ponds. This item was inspected and though it is not being noted as a <br />problem, the operator has been informed that the ponds must be backfilled in a timely manner, and is now required to <br />increase the bond by an amount sufficient to ensure that the ponds are backfilled. A copy of this report will be sent to the <br />Alamosa office of the Division of Water Resources (DWR). Since evaporative losses continue to occur, which are within <br />the jurisdiction of DWR, the operator must contact DWR to determine an appropriate timeframe in which to backfill the <br />ponds. <br />(MP) General Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />Narrative: No problem is being noted to this item, though the ponds in particular are not incompliance with the approved <br />plan, and the mining plan must be changed. The operator is currently preparing an application to change the permit's <br />plan. If the application is not received before the beginning of the 2011 construction season this item may become a <br />problem. <br />(RV) Revegetation: <br />Narrative: There has been no revegetation of the site. There were noxious weeds noted onsite, but they do not occur on <br />any adjoining land at this time. The operator should be aware that if any future noxious weed infestations that appear to <br />Page 2 of 6