2013-03-11_INSPECTION - M1991035

• Permit No: M1991035
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Date: 3/11/2013
• Doc Name: INSPECTION REPORT
• From: DRMS
• To: OPERATOR
• Inspection Date: 2/22/2013
• Email Name: PSH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

PERMIT #: M- 1991 -035
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH
INSPECTION DATE: February 22, 2013
DOE does not want surface water leaving the site. This request may conflict with stormwater requirements of
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The TR -03 maps indicate the exposed water in the "kettle pond" area will be backfilled to two (2) feet above
groundwater level. The Operator indicated they do not intend to backfill the kettle pond during the
inspection. The Division will require the kettle pond to be filled two feet above groundwater level, unless the
exposed groundwater is permitted and approved through the Division of Water Resources.
The approved reclamation plan requires all reclaimed slopes to be graded to 3H:1V or less. During the
inspection the Operator stated the south facing slope of northern most wash fines pond will remain at
approximately 2H:1V at the request of the DOE. The DOE does not want the existing vegetation to be
disturbed by grading operations. The Operator must provide the Division with a technical revision to alter the
approved reclamation plan for this slope and justification for the change, including but not limited to a letter
from the DOE supporting the Operator's statement.
Pit Area:
The settling ponds located in the north end of the pit area have been backfilled and regraded. The power
poles bisecting the pit from east to west have been removed since the last inspection. The remaining power
pole mounds and the south vertical mine face are the next areas to be regraded by Arnold's. The pit floor and
regraded slope will then be topsoiled and seeded.
Amendment Area (AM -01):
The Operator stated during the inspection that Lafarge believes the 425 acre amendment area located
northeast of the original permit area had been released from the permit and from reclamation responsibility
by the Division. The Division does not have record of a submittal or a decision regarding a release request for
the amendment area. The Operator will be required to submit a release request in accordance with Rule 4.17
if they wish to remove the amendment area from the permit area.
Hydrology:
In a response to the Division's letter dated April 30, 2010 regarding long -term augmentation requirement of
groundwater, Lafarge stated three areas within the Bluestone Pit were exposing groundwater. Lafarge
proposed to bond to install a slurry wall around the areas to prevent future groundwater exposure. Lafarge
stated they would be conducting an investigation to determine if the source of water was indeed exposed
groundwater or pooled surface water. The Division has not received the results of the investigation.
As mentioned above, the pond located in the northern portion of the site was identified as a pre -law
groundwater exposure. This must be confirmed and documented by the Operator. The settling ponds located
in the northern portion of the pit have been backfilled as noted above. The Operator's groundwater letter
response indicated the southern three (3) wash fines ponds contained either groundwater or retaining surface
water. Lafarge will need to comply with either the stormwater infiltration requirements of the CDPHE or the
exposed groundwater requirements of the DWR for the water in the ponds.
The Operator stated approximately forty (40) percent of the site has been graded, ripped and reseeded. The
Division could not confirm the estimate due to the snow cover.
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