2013-06-14_INSPECTION - M1985112

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PERMIT #: M- 1985 -112 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH INSPECTION DATE: June 3, 2013 states "the owners of the land to east of us have opened a gravel mining operation and it appears that they have filled in the natural drainage ditch with drained the water from our area in cases of flooding and overflow. They are pumping the water from the mine area." The Monroes secondary concern is about the permitted well located on their property. The letter states "We also have a permitted well that we use to water our lawn, trees and immediate area, not an acre (not quite an acre). We are concerned that if the mining company continues to drain the water from our land, and the pond, (which is already dry) our well will also go dry." The letter also states "The previous owners of the mining company were more neighborly. They made sure our pond had water. When the pond filled to a certain level, the water ran out to a pipe and on down the drainage ditch." and "It was never a problem for the previous mining operation to maintain our ground water level." A copy of the complaint letter is attached. The Division met with Lois and Larry Monroe on their property prior to the inspection of the Loloff Mine. The Monroes said they talked to the mine owner, Don Loloff, twice to address their concerns before submitting a complaint letter to the Division. Wetland Pond: The wetland pond is located on the eastern side of the Monroe's property near the middle of the property. The southeast corner of the pond is approximately 150 feet west of the southwest corner of the mine pit. The Monroes showed the Division paperwork indicating an Army Corps of Engineers identification ( #1993 - 80628) number for the wetland pond. The Monroes stated dewatering operations at the mine site started in mid -March 2013. The wetland pond depth from ground level was estimated by the Division to range between 8 to 10 feet deep. Several small pools of water were observed in the pond and the vegetation appeared to be in good condition. Typical wetland vegetation, including cattails, was observed during the inspection. Desecration cracks were observed at the bottom of the pond. The Monroes stated gravel was removed from around the edges of the pond for use on road and to build a motocross track on their property. A metal pipe was observed in the southeast corner of the pond. The other end of the pipe could not be located, but it is assumed the pipe ends in the irrigation ditch located between the wetland pond and mine pit. Well: The well is permitted by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, permit #44981, as a domestic stock well. The well permit lists Robert Thompson as the owner of the well. The well is 30 feet deep, the pump is set at 18 feet below ground level and no effects of the mining operation have been noted in the well according to the Monroes. The Division observed the well house and well head during the meeting. The well was pumping water at the time of the inspection. Loloff Mine: The Division met with Don Loloff, Permittee, and Doug Derr, Operator, of the Loloff Mine and J.C. York with AT Consulting, Inc. to discuss the citizen complaint. A copy of the complaint letter was provided to Mr. Loloff during the inspection. The mine site was not actively mining during the inspection, however dewatering operations were observed. A dewatering pump with a 6" diameter discharge pipe was observed in the southwest corner of the mine site. Mr. Derr stated the plan was to replace the existing diesel pump with an electric pump with an 8" discharge pipe to increase the pumping rate and reduce the noise pollution. The water is discharged into the drainage Page 2 of 6