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r ~ ,. <br />t ~: -_. <br />~ ~. <br />~' <br />Rationale for Recommendation for Approval, With Stipulations, Over Objections; <br />~- Regular 112c Construction Materials Application for Amendment (AM-2), <br />Oldcastle SW Group dba United Companies of Mesa County, Inc. <br />corona Pit, Fae No. M-199a-oos RECEIVED <br />May 1, 2007 •. MA`'. 0 3 'L001 <br />Division of Reclameti®R, <br />Mining and $af6ty <br />Introduction <br />On May 1, 2007 the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety ("Division") issued its <br />recommendation for approval with stipulations of a 112c Construction Materials Amendment <br />Application, over objections. This document is intended to provide a basis for the Division's <br />recommended approval over objections to the Corona Pit Amendment (AM-2} application, File No. M- <br />1994-005. <br />The United Companies amendment application was found complete and considered filed with the <br />Division on December 27, 2006. The site is located approximately 12 miles southeast of the city of <br />Montrose, in Montrose County, Colorado. The property is located in Section 36, Township 48 North, <br />Range 9 West of the Tenth Principal Meridian. The permit area is 73.9 acres in size. This amendment <br />does not propose to expand the permitted area, but seeks approval for mining below the present pit <br />floor elevation, and exposure of groundwater. Mining below the present pit floor will reach <br />approximately 30 feet of additional depth, nearly all of which is below the static water table. Under the <br />current approved mining plan, the site is expected to run out of gravel in 2007. Deeper mining will <br />extend the life of the mine by several years, and produce two ponds which the operator intends to make <br />permanent features. <br />The proposed mining plan consists of five phases, with reclamation to occur within an active phase <br />once mining in that phase is complete. The first phase will be for mining the remaining dry aggregate <br />above the water table, which is already allowed under the current approved plan. Phases 2 through 5 <br />will be to mine the aggregate below the water table. No offsite or onsite dewatering will occur; all <br />mining will be by extracting wet aggregate from the pond, and allowing it to drain onsite before <br />processing (crushing/screening). Pond banks will be sloped to the final gradient as mining progresses. <br />The presently-approved post-mining land use for the site is pastureland; the proposed post-mined land <br />use is lakes and wetlands for wildlife habitat. Reclamation activities are mainly confined to disturbed <br />azeas above the final water line, including topsoil replacement, and seeding to re-establish vegetation. <br />Two separate seed mixes aze planned, depending on the proximity to water. A level bench will be <br />constructed azound the pond perimeters. Pond banks will meet the standard for maximum gradient, <br />pursuant to Rule 3.1.5(7). A road azound the site perimeter will remain after reclamation. <br />I. OBJECTIONS: <br />The Division received objections from the following individuals during the public comment period, <br />which ended March 1, 2007. <br />!~` ~ <br />w <br />>v <br /> <br />Objector Dated Date Received <br />