2011-09-06_INSPECTION - M1977559

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OBSERVATIONS PERMIT #: M- 1977 -559 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: BMK INSPECTION DATE: August 16, 2011 1) The Division conducted monitoring inspection of the site as part of sites to be inspected during the fiscal years 2011 -2012. The site used to be a small 112 sand and gravel operation that is under reclamation. The total permitted acres for the site is 51 acres. Present during the inspection was Mr. Tom Brubaker the operator. 2) The permitted acres consist of two separate parcel of land along the east and west side of McKenzie avenue. In 1992, under Technical Revision # 1, the post mining land use was changed from rangeland to wild life habitat, consisting of two excavated ponds on each side of McKenzie Avenue. The total exposed water surface area is, 15.40 acres in the East pit and 9.8 acres in the West Pit. At the time of the inspection, Mr. Brubaker provided a copy of the Renewal Report for Consolidated Substitute water supply plan (SWSP) for Valco Inc, that was submitted to the State Engineers Office. During the last site inspection, of January 16, 2007, the Division had identified the improper storage of solvents on site. That issue was resolved within the allowable time. No improperly stored solvents were observed during this inspection. All the solvent containers and drums noted during the inspection along the East side of what used to be the processing area were empty. 3) Both the East and West side ponds were walked and inspected. The embankments were stable, no major erosion features were noted at the time of the inspection. The West side pond embankments along the West, North and South side will still require some more back sloping of the embankments before final grade is achieved. The seeding will commence as part of the final reclamation, once the grade is established. No large noxious weed infestation was noted at the time of the inspection. Mr. Brubaker stated that the back sloping and seeding of the embankments is expected to be completed sometime this year. The East side pond is fully reclaimed and no bank sloping is needed. The embankments were found to be in good repair. No major erosion features were noted at the time of the inspection. There is what appeared to be a small non - jurisdictional wet land area noted along the southwest side of the pond. Since the operator has applied for a substitute water supply plan for the entire operation, the Division does not see an issue with the established wet land. It is in compliance with the approved post mining land use of wild life habitat for the area. In the East side affected area not covered by the lake, the Division observed some scattered none mine waste like empty drums, old cars and old mining related debris. The collection of these items was also mentioned in the inspection report dated 1/16/2007. The operator had made some effort to remove the bulk of these collections of non - mining and mining related debris. However, it was not cited as a possible problem at that time. The operator plans to have the items noted during this inspection removed as part of the final reclamation plan for the site. The current financial warranty for the site is $45,500.00. It is deemed more than adequate to cover the remaining reclamation cost for the site. 4) Permit sign was properly posted on the fence of the East side parcel. The entire permit area is fenced on both side of McKenzie Avenue. The operation is in compliance with the approved reclamation plan. Page 2 of 4