2012-11-19_INSPECTION - M1995030

Home Browse Search

PERMIT #: M -1995 -030 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC INSPECTION DATE: November 6, 2012 OBSERVATIONS The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Darren Gebhart of McAtee Construction Co. was also present for the inspection. The Green Bros. Pit No. 2 is located in Morgan County, approximately 1 mile north of Fort Morgan, Colorado. The mine is permitted for 9.9 acres and the post- mining land use is rangeland. During an inspection conducted on February 27, 2012, the Division found the Operator had affected approximately 3.51 acres of land outside of the permit boundary. The Mined Land Reclamation Board found the Operator in violation of C.R.S. 34- 32.5- 109(1) for failure to first obtain from the board or office a reclamation permit prior to engaging in a new operation. The Operator was ordered to submit all materials necessary for a 112c conversion application to secure a reclamation permit for all areas affected by the mining operation. On September 14, 2012, the Division received the Operator's 112c conversion application; the application is currently under review and the decision date is December 21, 2012. The Division conducted this inspection to field verify the information provided in the application, including confirming the presence of permanent man -made structures. In addition, the Division will determine whether there are any site specific environmental concerns which have not been addressed in the application. The notice of the 112c conversion application was posted at the site entrance as required by Rule 1.6.2(1)(b). The Operator is seeking to expand the operation from 9.9 acres to 46.82 acres; the operation will expand to the south towards Interstate 76. The proposed post- mining land use will be rangeland and industrial /commercial. Sand and gravel is wet mined with a suction dredge; the pit is 4.1 acres in size and contains exposed groundwater. The Operator will create two unlined groundwater ponds that total approximately 28.28 acres in size. The plant site is located on the northwest corner of the permit area and contains product stockpiles and scale. This area may continue to be used for industrial /commercial purposes after the site is release from further reclamation responsibility. Currently, the property is not zoned for industrial /commercial uses; if the Operator has not obtained the necessary zoning by the end of the life of the mine, then the plant /stockpile area will be revegetated and returned to rangeland. The area which is being added to the existing permit boundary was historically used as rangeland; however, the land has not supported livestock for many years. The Edwards /Gill Ditch crosses the site from west to east in the southern half of the site. The Edwards /Gill Ditch is considered to be abandoned; however, it does convey warm water through the site in an easterly direction. The Division traversed the ditch and found that it supports aquatic vegetation and provided valuable habitat for water fowl. The Operator will need to contact the Army Corps. of Engineers in order to determine if the ditch is considered to be jurisdictional. The current plan does not involve disturbing the ditch; however, the Operator has indicated that the area may be mined in the future. Any changes to the Mining or Reclamation Plans will require the appropriate permit revisions. The Division holds a financial warranty in the amount of $7,624.00. A complete bond calculation will be performed according the proposed Mining and Reclamation Plans; notice of any increase to the financial warranty will be sent under separate cover. The Division traversed the entire site and confirmed the presence of the permanent man -made structures identified by the Operator. No other observations were made which would prevent the approval of the 112c conversion application. This concluded the inspection. Page 2 of 4