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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Annual Inspection Report_Pentz Pit Department of Conservation OFFICE OF MINE RECLAMATION SMARA LEAD AGENCY INSPECTION NOTICE FORM (This form is provided for the convenience of lead agencies. See instructions on the back of the form.) To: Reporting Unit California Department of Conservation Office of Mine Reclamation 801 K Street, MS 0906 Sacramento, CA 95814 From: Date of this Notice: Subject: Lead Agency Inspection Notice Pursuant to PRC 2774(b) ____________________________________________ Signature and Title of Lead Agency Representative *See instructions on back of form I certify that this surface mining operation is in compliance with SMARA (mining operation is permitted [or vested], consistent with reclamation plan, the financial assurance is adequate for reclamation costs, and no violations were cited on the MRRC-1 inspection form*). Check applicable box: Yes No - If no, which aspects of the operations are inconsistent with SMARA : Does the surface mining operation have a review of its reclamation plan, financial assurances, or an interim management plan pending under subdivision (b), (c), (d), or (h) of Section 2770, or an appeal pending before the board or lead agency governing body under subdivision (e) or (h) of Section 2770? Yes No Are the completed MRRC-1 inspection form and any supporting documentation, including, but not limited to, any inspection report prepared by the licensed geologist, civil engineer, landscape architect, or forester, who conducted the inspection attached? Yes No Date of Inspection:Mine ID: 91- Rowland Hickel, Senior Planner Butte County Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 December 9, 2015 November 12, 2015 04-0001 ✔ ✔ ✔ INSPECTION NOTICE FORM INSTRUCTIONS The specific SMARA statute that requires the inspection notice is quoted below: “PRC 2774 (b) …The lead agency shall notify the director within 30 days of the date of completion of the inspection that the inspection has been conducted. The notice shall contain a statement regarding the surface mining operation's compliance with this chapter, shall include a copy of the completed inspection form, and shall specify which aspects of the surface mining operations, if any, are inconsistent with this chapter. If the surface mining operation has a review of its reclamation plan, financial assurances, or an interim management plan pending under subdivision (b), (c), (d), or (h) of Section 2770, or an appeal pending before the board or lead agency governing body under subdivision (e) or (h) of Section 2770, the notice shall so indicate. The lead agency shall forward to the operator a copy of the notice, a copy of the completed inspection form, and any supporting documentation, including, but not limited to, any inspection report prepared by the geologist, civil engineer, landscape architect, or forester, who conducted the inspection.” Please use the attached suggested SMARA LEAD AGENCY INSPECTION NOTICE FORM or your own form or letter format to provide the information required pursuant to PRC 2774(b). *Please note whether violations cited in the MRRC-1 have been corrected at the date of this notice. State of California DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICE OF MINE RECLAMATION MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 1 of 5 (Rev. 07/13) SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT (See reverse side of each form page for completion instructions) I. Mine Name (As Shown on Approved Reclamation Plan)Inspection Date:CA MINE ID# 91- II. Mine Operator Telephone ( ) Onsite Contact Person Telephone ( ) Mailing Address City State ZIP Code E-mail Address (optional) III. Designated Agent Telephone ( ) Mailing Address City State ZIP Code E-mail Address (optional) IV. SMARA Lead Agency Name (City, County, BCDC, or SMGB) Inspector Telephone ( ) Title Organization Mailing Address City State ZIP Code E-mail Address (optional) V. Does the operation have:P NR No Yes A Permit to Mine Permit # - Start and Expiration Dates Vested Right to Mine Year of Lead Agency determination A Reclamation Plan RP# Date Approved Reclamation Plan Amendment RP Amendment # (as applies) Date Approved or Status of Amendment Has the Operator filed a Mining Operation Annual Report (Form MRRC-2) this Year? Check One:Yes No Year of Most Recent Filed Annual Report: VI. Is this Operation on Federal Land? Check One:If "Yes,”Provide One or Both of the Federal Mine Land Identification Numbers Below:Yes No California Mining Claim Number (CAMC#):Latitude/Longitude at Mine Entrance (Decimal Degrees): U.S. Forest Service or BLM Identification Number (Plan of Operations #) :Status of Plan of Operations (Current/Expired/In Process): DISTRIBUTION: Lead Agency sends copies of Inspection notice & completed MRRC-1 to operator, operator’s designated agent, BLM or USFS (if required) & retains original. Pentz Pit November 12, 2015 04-0001 Knife River Construction 530 891-6555 Marc Ingvoldsen 530 891-6555 1764 Skyway Chico California 95928 marc.ingvoldsen@kniferiver.com Rene' J. Vercruyssen 530 891-6555 1764 Skyway Chico California 95928 rene.vercruyssen@kniferiver.com Butte County Rowland Hickel 530 538-7150 Senior Planner Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive Oroville California 95965 rhickel@buttecounty.net ✔ June 7, 1978 RP 78-99 June 7, 1978 ✔ ✔2014 ✔ N/A 39 38' 11.0"N / 121 35' 36.2"W N/A N/A INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT Form MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 1 (Rev. 07/13) This report is intended to comply with the requirements of California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA – Public Resources Code Sections §§ 2710 et seq., and the associated California Code of Regulations found in Title 14, division 2, beginning at § 3500, hereinafter respectively “PRC” or “CCR”) and specifically PRC § 2774(b) and CCR § 3504.5 for operations located on private land and/or partly or solely on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands (Title 43, parts 3500, 3600, and 3800 of the Code of Federal Regulations). A Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Interior, BLM; U.S. Department of Agriculture, USFS; the State of California, Department of Conservation; and the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB), discusses implementation of SMARA on Federal lands in California that are under the jurisdiction of the BLM and/or the USFS. As required by PRC § 2774(b) and CCR § 3504.5(g), Lead Agencies shall file an Inspection Notice that includes a statement regarding compliance with SMARA, a copy of this Surface Mining Inspection Report (MRRC-1) and any other supporting documentation with the Department within 30 days of completion of the inspection. The Lead Agency shall also forward a copy of the Inspection Notice, MRRC-1, and any supporting documentation to the operator. BLOCK I: Enter the name of the Mining Operation, the date of the inspection, and the California Mine ID number. BLOCK II: Enter the name of the Mine Operator, mailing address, phone number, name, and email address (optional) of the person to serve as the onsite contact. BLOCK III: Enter the name, mailing address, phone number, and email (optional) of the Designated Agent who, under PRC § 2772(c)(1) and 2207(a)(1), will serve as a contact for any follow-up correspondence or discussions regarding the inspection or noted violations. BLOCK IV: For "Lead Agency," enter the name of the certified SMARA Lead Agency that is conducting this inspection. Acceptable entries include the name of the city, county, Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), or State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB). For "Organization," enter the name of the agency, firm or other organization that employs the inspector. BLOCK V:Check the appropriate boxes. P NR, No, Yes Pending (on appeal or awaiting approval by Lead Agency) Not required for this operation at the time this inspection was completed No Yes, supply information Note: Where appropriate, to aid in determining when the lead agency recognized that the operation has vested mining rights, inspectors are advised to review older agency correspondence, minutes of lead agency hearings, including agendas and staff reports associated with approvals of any kind related to the mining operation. BLOCK VI: Indicate if the operation is on federal Land; if operation is on federal land, include a California Mining Claim Number and/or a BLM/USFS Identification Number and Plan of Operations Number, if applicable. Give the status of the BLM/USFS Plan of Operations, as indicated. Give the latitude and longitude at the mine entrance in decimal degrees. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS: One copy of the inspection notice and this completed Inspection Report (all pages) shall be given to the Mine Operator and the operator’s designated agent by the lead agency (PRC Section 7374(b). The Lead Agency must retain the original copy of this Inspection Report and submit one copy of this Inspection Report, along with an original inspection report notice (PRC Subsection 2774(b)), within 30-days of the completion of the inspection, to: Department of Conservation Office of Mine Reclamation 801 K St MS 09-06 Sacramento, CA 95814-3529 If any part of the operation inspected is on BLM or USFS land, one copy of this Inspection Report should be forwarded to the appropriate BLM or USFS office. State of California DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICE OF MINE RECLAMATION MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 2 of 5 (Rev. 07/13) SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT VII. Financial Assurance Inspection Date:CA MINE ID#: 91- Type of Financial Assurance Mechanism(s) Financial Assurance Mechanism Number(s)Amount of Mechanism Date of Expiration Date of Lead Agency Approval of Mechanism Total Amount of Mechanism(s) Financial Assurance Mechanism Pending Review by Lead Agency? If yes, provide date submitted/explanation and amount of pending mechanism: Has there been a change of operator since last inspection? If yes provide the date of notice. Yes No Date of Change: If yes, has the new operator posted a Financial Assurance Mechanism? Yes No If not, describe status of new operators Financial Assurance Mechanism: Does new operator’s Notice of Change include a statement of responsibility for reclamation? Yes No Date and Amount of Most Recent Approved Financial Assurance Cost Estimate: Date: Amount: Financial Assurance Cost Estimate Pending Review with Lead Agency? Date Submitted/Explanation/Amount of pending estimate: Financial Assurance Cost Estimate Appealed by Operator? Date Submitted to State Mining and Geology Board or Lead Agency for Appeal/Explanation: Other? DISTRIBUTION: Lead Agency sends copies of Inspection notice & completed MRRC-1 to operator, operator’s designated agent, BLM or USFS (if required) & retains original. November 12, 2015 04-0001 Bond #905009972 $506,831.28 Continuous 05/18/2015 $506,831.28 ✔ February 9, 2015 $506,831.28 N/A N/A INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT Form MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 2 (Rev. 07/13) BLOCK VII: Type of Financial Assurance Mechanism(s): Fill in the type of mechanism(s) that are on file. PRC § 3803 and SMGB Financial Assurance Guideline number 10 describe Surety Bonds, Trust Funds, or Irrevocable Letters of Credit as acceptable financial assurance mechanisms for non-governmental entity operators. For surface mining operations owned and operated by state and local government entities, Surety Bonds, Trust Funds, Irrevocable Letters of Credit, Pledges of Revenue, and Budget Set Aside are acceptable financial assurance mechanisms. State the Financial Assurance Mechanism(s) document number(s). State the dollar amount of each Financial Assurance Mechanism(s) currently on file. State the date of expiration of the Financial Assurance Mechanism(s) currently on file. State the date of approval for the most recent lead agency approved Financial Assurance Mechanism(s) on file. State the total dollar amount of mechanisms held for reclamation. Indicate if any Financial Assurance Mechanisms are pending review by the lead agency and the date and amount of submittal to the lead agency. Indicate if there has been a change of operator of record since the last inspection and, if so, note the date the change occurred and whether the new operator has signed any document acknowledging reclamation responsibility under the approved reclamation plan and if the new operator has posted a Financial Assurance Mechanism. If a replacement Financial Assurance Mechanism has not been posted, indicate the status of the new operator’s replacement Financial Assurance Mechanism.Per PRC § 2773.1(c) and Guideline number 19 of the SMGB’s Financial Assurance Guidelines, when operatorship is transferred, “the original financial assurance must remain in effect until the lead agency has approved, following department review, the replacement assurances provided by the successor operator.” The Financial Assurance amount must be adjusted and approved annually to account for new lands disturbed by surface mining operations and lands to be disturbed in coming year, inflation, and reclamation of lands accomplished in accordance with the approved Reclamation Plan (PRC § 2773.1(a)(3) and SMGB Financial Assurance Guideline #16). In order to determine what adjustments, if any, are appropriate to the Financial Assurance Mechanism amount, each mine operator must submit annually a revision of the written Financial Assurance Cost Estimate to the Lead Agency (PRC § 3804(c)).Provide the date of the operator’s most recent revision of the Financial Assurance Cost Estimate to the Lead Agency and where appropriate, provide a status of the pending Financial Assurance Cost Estimate. Provide the date and amount of the most recently approved Financial Assurance Cost Estimate. Also indicate if the Financial Assurance Cost Estimate is under appeal to the lead agency or whether it has been appealed to State Mining and Geology Board as described in PRC § 2770(e). Use the Financial Assurance “Other” and “Explanation” blocks to provide any other pertinent information regarding the status of Financial Assurance(s). If the operation does not have a sufficient Financial Assurance Cost Estimate and/or Financial Assurance Mechanism, explain in detail. State of California DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICE OF MINE RECLAMATION MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 3 of 5 (Rev. 07/13) SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT VIII. Non-SMARA facility operations conditions solely of local concern (e.g. hours of operation) do not need to be noted here. See Instructions for Block VIII on reverse side of page. [Use separate sheet(s) where necessary. Refer to item numbers below] CA MINE ID # 91- Potential Reclamation Plan Requirements: List Reclamation Plan Requirements (Recommended to be filled out prior to field inspection) Note Site Conditions and Compliance Issues (Note additional comments on Page 5 as necessary) VN? 1) General Information a) Permitted Mineral Product(s) b) Approved Production Amount (Annual/Gross) c) End Date of Operations Per RP d) Permit end date e) End Use 2) Boundaries a) Property Boundary b) Permit Boundary c) Rec. Plan Boundary (RPB) d) Setbacks 3) Slopes –Grading a) Fill Slopes –Note Condition of: i) Slopes –Working (max/current) ii) Slopes –Reclaimed iii) Compaction b) Cut Slopes –Note Condition of: i) Slopes –Working (max./current) ii) Slopes –Reclaimed 4) Erosion Control a) BMPs b) Grading c) Vegetation 5) Ponds a) Design –Function b) Capacity (area/depth/volume) c) Maintenance 6) Stream & Wetland Protection a) Buffers (distance to channel) b) Berms (distance/length/height) c) Best Management Practices d) Drainage e) Grading & Slopes f) Stockpiles g) Stream Diversions 7) Sensitive Wildlife & Plant Protection a) List Species b) Protection Measures DISTRIBUTION: Lead Agency sends copies of Inspection notice & completed MRRC-1 to operator, operator’s designated agent, BLM or USFS (if required) & retains original. 04-0001 a) Aggregate b) 50,000 - 250,000 tons/annual (No information provided for total production) c) June 7, 2018 d) N/A e) Agriculture The mine site was active during inspection with harvested materials being processed, stockpiled, and packaged for export. Production amounts remain consistent with estimates. Sufficient materials remain on-site for continued operations. Overall, operations are performed in a manner that is consistent with the approved reclamation plan, and would not preclude the site from reclamation. a) 242.5 acres b) No Permit Required (Vested Operation) c) Approx. 163.8 acres d) N/A Based on the site map approved with the reclamationplan, a total of approximately 163.8 acres is covered under the plan. The operator is currently reporting approximately 122 acres as being disturbed.Excavations appear to have extended beyond the approved boundaries in RP 78-99. Additional materials to confirm have been requested. Grading will be consistent with the topography prior to the deposit of aggregate. All working and final slopes will be at or flatter than the natural angle of repose of the material. Mining activities have resulted in some excavation areas having working grades of approximately 70 to 90 percent. Minor stability issues were observed. It's recommended that steep slopes are laid back at 2:1, or provide a geotechnical analysis to ensure that slopes are stable. No contaminated water will be allowed to run-off the site. No additional information on erosion control is provided in the approved reclamation plan. No erosion control BMPs were observed at the site. Operations are covered under a General Permit and SWPPP, issued by the CVRWQCB. No information on the construction of settling ponds were provided in the approved reclamation plan. The mine site has an existing settling pond and freshwater pondused in aggregate processing activities. It appears that pondsare functioning well, and has adequate capacity. The operatorregularly maintains the ponds by clearing-out sediment. Theponds had recently been cleared of fines, with the fines havingbeen stockpiled adjacent to the ponds. No information on stream and wetland protection measures were identified. Sawmill Creek transects the mine site. No operations have been recently conducted within the stream channel. However, it appears that mining activities are permitted to occur within the channel and that past operations have occurred within the channel. Presently, berms are separating the defined channel and surface mining operations. The berms average 3 feet in height and run parallel near the entire length of the channel through the mine site. A mine haul road crosses the channel near the western boundary of the mine. The asphalt road appears to have been eroding away for several years making it unusable during higher creek flows. No information was identified in the approved reclamation plan. Riparian vegetation does exist along more established portions of the creek channel. Native grasses and shrubshave naturally regrown along previously disturbed areas along the channel. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT Form MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 3 and 4 (Rev. 07/13) BLOCK VIII: INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH DATA COLUMN: Potential Reclamation Plan Requirements (Column 1): Under CCR § 3504.5(f), “Inspections may include, but shall not be limited to the following: the operation’s horizontal and vertical dimensions, volumes of materials stored on the site; slope angles of stock piles, waste piles and quarry walls; potential geological hazards; equipment and other facilities; samples of materials; photographic or other electronic images of the operation; any measurements or observations deemed necessary by the inspector or the lead agency to ensure the operation is in compliance with Public Resources Code Chapter 9.” Column 1 provides a list of items that may be included in the approved reclamation plan, either expressly or by reference as described in PRC § 2772(d), which may include conditions of approval, other permit requirements and supplementary documents, including environmental documents, prepared for the project pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000). It is not expected that all reclamation plans will include each item of Section VIII, or be limited to the items listed. Items in Column 1 that are not operative requirements in the reclamation plan may not need to be addressed by the inspection. Operative reclamation plan requirements not listed in Items 1 through 12 may be listed in Item 13, under “Other Reclamation Plan Requirements.” Reclamation Plan Requirements (Column 2): Prior to field inspection, it is recommended that the inspector review the approved reclamation plan and any amendments, as well as any other documents included by reference, including conditions of approval, other permit requirements and supplementary documents, such as environmental documents prepared for the project pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) that specifically relate to reclamation of the mine site. The most recently approved Financial Assurance Cost Estimate and any pending or ongoing enforcement actions should also be reviewed. Conditions of approval that relate to facility operations solely of local concern, such as hours of operation, noise, and dust control are not subject to the inspection. Column 2 is intended to provide the inspector a place to match any items noted in Column 1 with those items included in the approved reclamation plan either expressly or by reference as described in PRC § 2772(d), which may include conditions of approval, other permit requirements and supplementary documents, including environmental documents prepared for the project pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with § 21000). Also note any Interim Management Plan (IMP) requirements where the mine is subject to an IMP pursuant to PRC § 2770(h). Indicate the source document for the reclamation plan requirements at the end of the entry in parenthesis; i.e. (COA) (POO) (EIR) (WDR) (SWPPP), etc. Conditions of approval that relate to facility operations solely of local concern, such as hours of operation, noise, and dust control should not be included in Column 2. If items listed in Column 1 of Section VIII of the form are not included in the reclamation plan or other documents included by reference, write not applicable or “NA” in Column 2. Specific reclamation requirements may not apply to an operation at the time of inspection, but they are important to be aware of to ensure current activity at the site will not prohibit reclamation in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. A copy of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 and 1993 SMGB regulations may be obtained at http://www.conservation.ca.gov/omr/lawsandregulations/Pages/SMARA.aspx. Site Conditions and Compliance Issues (Column 3): Describe current site conditions and compliance issues noted for both operating and reclaimed surfaces that pertain to the reclaimed condition of the mining site. Block IX is provided for additional space to describe site conditions and/or compliance issues. Attach additional sheets as necessary. Evaluations of slope stability and engineered compaction should be prepared by qualified professionals only. PRC § 2774(b)) states “The lead agency may cause an inspection to be conducted by a state licensed geologist, state licensed civil engineer, state licensed landscape architect, or state licensed forester, who is experienced in land reclamation and who has not been employed by a surface mining operation within the jurisdiction of the lead agency in any capacity during the previous 12 months.” VN?(Column 4): Use this box to indicate if violations were noted for any of the specific items under the corresponding item group heading (e.g., Boundaries, Slopes-Grading, etc.) during field inspection of the site. Enter number of violations in the box. State of California DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION OFFICE OF MINE RECLAMATION MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 4 of 5 (Rev. 07/13) SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT VIII. Non-SMARA facility operations conditions solely of local concern (e.g. hours of operation) do not need to be noted here. See Instructions for Block VIII on reverse side of page. [Use separate sheet(s) where necessary. Refer to item numbers below] CA MINE ID # 91- Potential Reclamation Plan Requirements: List Reclamation Plan Requirements (Recommended to be filled out prior to field inspection) Note Site Conditions and Compliance Issues (Note additional comments on Page 5 as necessary)VN? 8) Soil/Overburden Stockpile Management a) Topsoil i) Location ii) Slope Stability iii) BMPs b) Overburden i) Location ii) Slope Stability iii) BMPs c) Topsoil Application i) Amendments ii) Depth iii) Moisture iv) Application Methods 9) Revegetation a) Test Plots b) Species Mix c) Density d) Percent Cover e) Species Richness f) Protection g) Success Monitoring h) Invasive Species Control 10) Structures 11) Equipment 12) Closure of Adits 13) Other Reclamation Plan Requirements DISTRIBUTION: Lead Agency sends copies of Inspection notice & completed MRRC-1 to operator, operator’s designated agent, BLM or USFS (if required) & retains original. 04-0001 a) Tailing deposits contain no topsoil. Native soils would be available upon completion of mining activities when the original ground is exposed. b) No mine waste would be produced by mining activities. All tailing deposits would be available for export. Mining activities continue to progress down towards the original grade. The depth of tailings vary at any particular excavation pit depending on the location of the pit. It appears that some excavation pits are approaching, or have approached, the original grade. However, I was unable to verify the remaining depth of tailings at any of the pits. In general, stockpiles appear stable throughout the mine site, with no obvious slope stability issues. Once the native soils of the original grade is exposed by mining of the materials deposited at the site, the ground will be planted with native ground cover. No additional information is provided in the reclamation plan. No active revegetation appears to have been performed at the mine. However, some previously disturbed areas that have not been recently disturbed show signs of natural regrowth, primarily grass and shrub species. The areas with best regrowth, after disturbance, appears to be the stream channel. No information identified in the reclamation plan.Structures at the site includes a shop, office, scales, and fuel depot. All structures appear to be in use. All processing and residual equipment will be removed from the site. The mine includes various types of equipment and parts. Some equipment appear to be inoperable. N/A N/A N/A N/A INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SURFACE MINING INSPECTION REPORT Form MRRC-1 (4/97) Page 5 (Rev. 05/13) BLOCK IX Inspectors may use the large open block for comments to describe violations, corresponding corrective actions, or preventative measure(s) suggested by the inspector to address noted violations or avoid potential violations, and to explain any limitations on the inspection conducted. The inspector can also use this space to describe the status of any pending or current enforcement actions. Separate violations that are the subject of existing enforcement actions from violations observed during the current inspection. Enter California Mine ID Number and Date of Inspection. Weather Codes: CR = Clear; CL = Cloudy; RN = Rain; SN = Snow; WD = Windy For "Duration of Inspection," indicate the start and end times of the inspection (do not include travel time). SMARA Status Codes (based on annual report and reported production under CCR § 3695, indicate the appropriate status code) I = Idle (Per § 2727.1) NP = Newly Permitted (must be no mining/disturbance) AB = Abandoned (Per § 2770(h)(6)) NOP-NC = Not in operation, reclamation not completed NOP-C = Not in operation, reclamation completed If idle, indicate either the date operation became idle as defined by PRC Section 2727.1, the date an IMP was approved, or the status of any pending IMP. Status of Reclamation Codes: RN = Reclamation not begun P = Post reclamation monitoring R = Reclamation in progress RC = Reclamation complete Enter approximate acreage under reclamation (the number of acres actively being reclaimed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan). Enter approximate acreage determined to be reclaimed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan by Lead Agency. Enter approximate total disturbed acreage. This includes all acreage disturbed by the surface mining operation, as defined by PRC § 2729: “’Mined Lands’ includes the surface, subsurface, and ground water of an area in which surface mining operations will be, are being, or have been conducted, including private ways and roads appurtenant to any such area, land excavations, workings, mining waste, and areas in which structures, facilities, equipment, machines, tools or other materials or property which result from, or are used in, surface mining operations are located.” This should include acreage under reclamation that has not been determined to be reclaimed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan by the Lead Agency. Enter the total number of acres within or adjacent to the disturbance area of the operation disturbed pre-SMARA (disturbance before January 1, 1976, that has not had mining related disturbance after January 1, 1976). Enter the disturbed acreage identified in the most recent Financial Assurance Cost Estimate (i.e., the disturbed acreage that was used to calculate the most recent Financial Assurance Cost Estimate. Enter the date of the previous lead agency inspection and number of violations noted during that inspection. Attendees: Provide the names and affiliations of parties in attendance at the inspection. BLOCK X: Enter the number of violations noted during the inspection. Sign and date the Inspection Report. If the inspector is a consultant to the lead agency, include the inspector’s certification (PE, PG, CEG, etc.) and license number, if applicable. The lead agency may cause an inspection to be performed by contracting with private consultants, specifically: state licensed geologist, state licensed civil engineer, state licensed landscape architect, or state licensed forester per § 2774(b). 2015 Annual Inspection Report  Pentz Pit (91‐04‐0001)  1    OBSERVATIONS   Mine site was active during inspection.  Activities included mineral processing and packaging for  export.   No mineral excavations occurred during the inspection, but occurred during the past  year.   A portion of the mine site (APN: 041‐120‐075) is being used as a staging area for an off‐site  construction job on Highway 70 (see photo 6).  Truck and vehicle trips associated with the  staging area was occurring during inspection.  The site also had stockpiled asphalt grindings  brought into the site from the off‐site construction job.  The staging area is located within the  permitted boundaries of UP 81‐38, a permitted an asphalt concrete batch plant operation.      Mineral excavation during the past year were focused along the high wall located on APN: 041‐ 720‐005.  No recent activities in the lower pits, in the southern portions of the mine area, were  observed (see photo 2).  Based on aerial photos, it appears that mining excavations along the  high wall and lower excavation pits are located outside the mine boundaries identified in the  approved reclamation plan.  I requested the operator provide additional documentation to  support whether these areas are a permitted mining area.  All available documentation of the  permitted mine boundaries will be reviewed, with a conclusion presented in subsequent  inspection reports.       Culverts had been added to the overflow weir at the freshwater pond to improve downstream  sediment discharge (see photo 3).  The improvements were nearly complete.  Additional  culverts and construction materials were still sited adjacent to the pond (see photo 4).     Fines had been cleared‐out of the processing discharge ponds during the past year.  Fines were  stockpiled adjacent to the pond (see photo 11).  No erosion control measures on the stockpile  were implemented.  The operators indicated that fines would be used as a growth median for  the revegetation of the lower excavation pits.  The operators indicated that the fines would be  distributed next spring.   Aerial photos showed a large quantity of tires and parts stockpiled adjacent to the workshop,  within an excavation pit.  The operators indicated that a couple of loads of tires were removed  and disposed of at the landfill a few weeks prior to the inspection.  Operators indicated that the  remaining tires would be removed in the next 30 days. (see photo 10)     The trailer noted in the 2014 Inspection Report was still present within the mine area.  The  operator indicated that it would be removed within 30 days.  There are at least 2 additional  travel trailers in the equipment storage area, which have been present for several years.  It was  recommended that all non‐mining equipment be removed from the site, as non‐mining  equipment and parts are not permitted.   The old access road to the mine site (which was subsequently replaced with the current access  road) has a stream crossing that was partially washed‐out for the past several years.  A berm  was installed at the intersection of the old access road with the new access road to prevent  trespassing. (see photo 5)    New batching equipment was recently brought to the site, but not assembled.  The equipment is  presently being stored outside the designated (permitted) area for the batch plant, as described  in UP 81‐38.  The operators indicated that the batch plant will be assemble within the permitted  area.  2015 Annual Inspection Report  Pentz Pit (91‐04‐0001)  2     Gear oil and other unknown fluids are stored among the stored batching equipment.  The  materials were uncovered and exposed to the elements, and have a potential to spill/discharge  onto the ground.  It was recommended that the operator to remove the materials, and store the  materials in an appropriate location.   A small stockpile of gypsum was observed within the county road right‐of‐way for Wheelock  Road (see photo 12), near the entrance to Pentz Pit, as well as along the on‐site access road to  the mine site.  It appears that a haul truck coming to load‐up materials from the mine site had  deposited the materials along the roads.  The operator indicated that they contacted the  trucking company to have the materials removed/cleaned‐up.     Equipment and parts continue to accumulate at the site.  Because the mine is a vested  operation, only mining‐related equipment is permitted.  A subsequent use permit was approved  for an asphalt concrete batch plant (UP 81‐38) over a portion of the vested mine site, which  allows parts and equipment associated with batching operations to be kept within the permitted  boundaries.  It’s advised that the operator continue to remove non‐mining related equipment  and parts from the mine site, and to keep batch plant related equipment within the permitted  boundaries.      CORRECTIVE MEASURES  No violations are noted; however, the following corrective measures are recommended:  1. Based on current aerial imagery and the available mapping provided in RP 78‐99, it appears that  mine operations have extended beyond the approved mine boundaries delineated in RP 78‐99.   The operator is advised to provide any available documentation that verifies a vested right to  mine in the areas currently disturbed by past mining activities.  2. Gear oil and other potentially hazardous materials currently improperly stored among the  batching equipment must be reported and stored in appropriate/designated areas.    3. The mine operator must remove all non‐mining related equipment and parts from the mine site,  including any recreational vehicles presently kept at the site.  Any batch equipment or parts  stored at the site must be located within the permitted boundaries identified in UP 81‐38.     4. it’s recommended that the operator continue to remove tires and parts that are obsolete to  prevent excessive accumulation.         No v e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l I n s p e c t i o n – P e n t z P i t ( 9 1 - 0 4 - 0 0 0 1 ) Ph o t o 1 - 2 0 1 4 v i e w o f th e e a s t e r n e x c a v a t i o n a r e a . Ph o t o 2 – 2 0 1 5 v i e w o f t h e e a s t e r n e x c a v a t i o n a r e a . Ph o t o 3 – R e - c o n s t r u c t e d o v e r f l o w s p i l l w a y f o r t h e f r e s hw a t e r p o n d . P h o t o 4 – F r e s h w a t e r p o n d . No v e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l I n s p e c t i o n – P e n t z P i t ( 9 1 - 0 4 - 0 0 0 1 ) Ph o t o 5 – B e r m a c r o s s t h e o l d m i n e a c c e s s r o a d . P h o t o 6 – C o n t r a c t o r ’ s s t a g i n g a r e a f o r o f f - s i t e j o b . Ph o t o 7 – S t o r a g e o f b a t c h p l a n t e q u i p m e n t t o b e e s t a b l i s h e d a t t h e s i t e . P h o t o 8 – B a t c h p l a n t e q u i p m e n t i n c l u d e d s t o r a g e o f h a z a r d o u s m a t e r i a l s . No v e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l I n s p e c t i o n – P e n t z P i t ( 9 1 - 0 4 - 0 0 0 1 ) Ph o t o 9 – V i e w o f m i n i n g e q u i p m e n t / p a r t s s t o r a g e a r e a . P h o t o 1 0 – M i n i n g p a r t s a n d j u n k s t o r e d i n e x c a v a t i o n p i t . Ph o t o 1 1 – S t o c k p i l e o f f i n e s r e m o v e d f r o m s e d i m e n t p o n d s . P h o t o 1 2 – G y p s u m d e p o s i t e d a l o n g W h e e l o c k R o a d , a C o u n t y r i g h t - o f - way.