HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171728(blue earth
SOLUTIONS
Letter of Transmittal
DATE: June 2, 2017
TO: Weld County Clerk to the Board
1150 O Street
Greeley, Colorado 80632
FROM: Bill Schenderlein
Blue Earth Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 2427
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
(970) 227-2803
WE TRANSMIT:
Attached
n Information Below
Remarks:
THE FOLLOWING:
Originals
■ Copy of Letter
Applications
Specifications
n Other
RECEIVED
JUN 0 2 2017
WELD COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
FOR YOUR:
Use
Approval
Information
Review & Comment
Submission of this material satisfies requirements of the Mine Land Reclamation Board
Construction Materials Limited Impact (110) Reclamation permit application. The enclosed
application material must remain for public review at least sixty (60) days after a decision on
said application has been made the Office of Mined Land Reclamation (Rule 1.6.2 (2)).
Confidential materials were purposely excluded.
• One (1) copy of Response Letter and revised exhibits in response to DRMS application
incompleteness letter dated May 31, 2017 — Connell Resources, Inc. — Harmony
Gardens Site, M-2017-021.
Signed:
2017-1728
Public
Rai( ew
Blue Earth Solutions LLC • P.O. Box 2427 • Fort Collins, CO 80522 • (970) 227-2803
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HARMONY GARDENS SITE
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
11O LIMITED IMPACT PERMIT APPLICATION
CONNELL RESOURCES, INC.
7785 Highland Meadows Parkway, Suite 100
Fort Collins, Colorado 80528
ue eanth
SOLUTIONS
May 2017
P.O. Box 2427, Fort Collins, CO 80522 Revisions June 2, 2017
COLORADO
Division of Reclamation,
Mining and Safety
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
May 31, 2017
Mr. Bill Schenderlein
Blue Earth Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 2427
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Re: Connell Resources, Inc.; Harmony Gardens Site; File No. M-2017-021;
Receipt of Incomplete 110 Construction Materials Reclamation Permit Application Package
Mr. Schenderlein:
On May 17, 2017, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division/DRMS) received the 110
Construction Materials Reclamation Permit Application package for Harmony Gardens Site, File No. M-
2017-021. Preliminary review of the information received determined the following items must be
received before the Division can consider the application as being submitted and technical review can
begin:
Application Form
1. The Division requires the Applicant to provide documentation giving the signer, John Warren, the
authority to sign on behalf of Connell Resources, Inc. The authorization document may be in the
form of by-laws, resolution, affidavit signed by corporate secretary, certified secretary statement
or a notarized statement on company letterhead.
6.3.2 Exhibit B - Site Description
2. As required by Rule 1.1(3), affected lands include but shall not be limited to private ways, roads,
except those roads which existed prior to the date on which notice was given or the permit
application was made to the office and which were constructed for purposes unrelated to the
proposed mining operation and which will not be substantially upgraded to support the mining
operation.
The Applicant states there is an improved gravel farm road that connects the proposed permit
area with Weld County Road 74. Please clarify if the access road is included in the proposed 9.9
acre permit area and if improvements are necessary on the existing road to support the proposed
mining activity. It appears based on aerial photography, the current road is an unimproved two -
track road. New and improved roads must be included as part of the permitted acreage. Please
update the permit application and exhibit acreage amounts as needed.
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.3567 F 303.832.8106 http://mining.state.co.us
John W. Hickenlooper, Governor I Robert Randall, Executive Director I Virginia Brannon, Director
Harmony Gardens Incompleteness Letter
Page 2 of 2
May 31, 2017
6.3.3 Exhibit C - Mining Plan
3. The Applicant states a mine office/scale house will be established near the site entrance. Please
clarify if the mine office/scale house is included in the proposed 9.9 acre permit area. Please
indicate the location of the mine office/scale house on the Exhibit E - Mining Plan Map and update
the permit application and exhibit acreage amounts as needed.
6.3.9 Exhibit I - Proof of Filing with County Clerk
4. Please provide an affidavit or receipt indicating the date on which the revised application pages in
response to this letter were placed with the Weld County Clerk and Recorder.
The application will not be considered filed until the information listed above is received and found
sufficient to begin our review. A decision date will be established 30 days from the date of receipt of
all of the requested information. Additionally, if you have already published notice you will need to
republish notice, after the Division considers the application submitted. Republication must occur
once within ten (10) days of the submittal date. We will notify you when you should initiate
republication of your notice. The final date for receiving comments is ten (10) days after the date of
publication or the next regular business day.
You have sixty (60) days from the above date to submit all necessary documents that the Office needs
for an application to be considered filed. If, at the end of the sixty day period, the application has not
been determined to be filed with the Office, the Office shall deny the application and terminate the
application file.
The response due date is July 31, 2017.
This letter shall not be construed to mean that there are no other technical deficiencies in your
application. The Division will review your application to determine whether it is adequate to meet the
requirements of the Act after submittal of all required items.
If you have any questions, please contact me at peter.hays@state.co.us or (303) 866-3567 Ext. 8124.
Sincerely,
Peter S. Hays
Environmental Protection Specialist
Cc: Wally Erickson; Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety
John Warren; Connell Resources, Inc.
Iue earth
SOLUTIONS
June 2, 2017
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
Attn: Mr. Peter Hays
1313 Sherman Street; Room 215
Denver CO, 80203
RE: Response to Incompleteness Letter for Connell Resources, Inc.
Harmony Gardens Site 110 Limited Impact Permit Application, M-2017-021
Dear Mr. Hays:
The following discussion and attachments are submitted on behalf of our client, Connell Resources,
Inc., in response to the Application Completeness Letter comments prepared by the Division of
Reclamation, Mining and Safety dated May 31, 2017 for the Harmony Gardens Site 110 Limited
Impact Construction Materials Reclamation Permit application. The information and discussion
below addresses each comment as it was presented by the Division:
1. Additional documentation illustrating that John Warren has authority to sign on behalf of
Connell Resources, Inc. is attached.
2. The overall property where the proposed mining site is located is currently being developed
by the owner for landscape and nursery commercial and retail operations. The access road
from Weld County Road 74 has recently been improved to support the landscape and
nursery operations. Given the limited amount of material available within the proposed
mining area and, therefore, the limited amount of overall truck traffic on the access road, the
existing road should be acceptable for safe haul truck traffic. A more recent photograph of
the site entry and access road is provided below.
Blue Earth Solutions, LLC • P.O. Box 2427 • Fort Collins, CO 80522 • (970) 227-2803
Mr. Peter Hays
RE: Harmony Gardens Site M-2017-021
June 2, 2017
3. The application materials were mistaken — an office/scale house is not included with the
proposed mining operation. References to the office/scale house have been removed from
the application narrative and plan maps including Exhibit C, Mine Plan, Exhibit D,
Reclamation Plan, and Exhibit E, Mining Plan Map and Reclamation Plan Map. Revised
exhibits are attached.
4. The receipt for delivery to the Weld County Clerk to the Board is attached.
If you have any questions regarding this application and adequacy comment responses, please call
me directly at (970) 227-28O3.
Sincerely,
Blue Earth Solutions, LLC
William Schenderlein, P.E.
Project Manager
Attachments
Page 2 of 2
Attachments
- John Warren Authority
- Revised Exhibits
- Proof of filing with Weld County
Clerk to the Board
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
SERIES A SHAREHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS OF
CONNELL RESOURCES, INC.
The undersigned, being all of the Series A shareholders (the "shareholders") and
directors of Connell Resources, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Corporation") take the
action set forth below, and to evidence their waiver of any right to dissent from such
action, consent as follows:
ic/
RICHARD CONNELL
Shareholder and Director
ON .' A. CONNELL
S reholder and Director
e
SHERI C. WELCH
Shareholder and Director
tirtSide b -L1 ,
S : RA C. HEINE
Shareholder
By informal action the Series A shareholders unanimously elected the following
persons as directors of the Corporation to serve until the next annual meeting or until
their successors have been elected and qualified:
Richard Connell
Tony A. Connell
Sheri C. Welch
By informal action the shareholders unanimously elected the following persons to
the offices stated beside their respective names until the next annual meeting or until their
successors have been elected and qualified:
Richard Connell
Tony A. Connell
William S. Anderson
Kevin D. Anderson
Eric Marsh
John M. Warren
Sheri C. Welch
President
Vice President
Authority to sign bids, contracts, change orders,
subcontracts and lien releases. Authorized signer
on the Steamboat petty cash account. No authority
to borrow funds on behalf of the company.
Vice President of Estimating, Fort Collins
Authority to sign bids, contracts, change orders,
subcontracts and lien releases. No authority to
borrow funds on behalf of the company.
Aggregate Development Manager
Authority to sign gravel pit related contracts. and
asphalt oil supply contracts including transportation.
No authority to borrow funds on behalf of the
company.
Construction Manager, Steamboat
Authority to sign bids, CRI standard quotations and
change orders for executed contracts. Authorized
signer on the Steamboat petty cash account. No
authority to borrow funds on behalf of the company.
Vice President of Operations, Fort Collins
Authority to sign bids, contracts, change orders,
Subcontracts, lien releases and equipment rentals.
No authority to borrow funds on behalf of the
company. Authorized bank signer on disbursement
and payroll account.
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary/ Treasurer
Authority to sign lien releases, administrative
and equipment contracts. Authorized bank signer
on bank accounts and certificates of deposit.
Authority to borrow funds on behalf of the company
up to $1,000,000.
Jennifer Lindblad Assistant Secretary, Authority to attest on corporate
documents.
Shana Burkett Assistant Secretary, Authority to attest on corporate
•
documents.
By informal action the shareholders unanimously ratified all actions of the officers
taken over the past year on behalf of the Corporation within the scope of their authority.
This informal action of shareholders may be executed in counterparts.
This informal action is effective as of June 6, 2016.
APPRO2ED: y7-1
RICHARD CONNELL, Chairman
cte
TON Y/A. CONNELL
SHERI C. WELCH
i
CSANJDRA C. HEINE
Respectfully submitted,
Sheri C. Welch
Secretary
C._ c_t_Learlat-A„,
June 1. 2017
To whom it may concern:
As further clarification to the authorization in Connell Resources Inc's Board of Directors meeting
in addition to bids and contract, John M. Warren, Vice President of Operations, has the authority to
sign on behalf of the company all Federal, State, and local permits and applications for permits.
I
(if
Richard Connell, President
Sheri C. Welch, Secretary
ciAar Yit)menya,ez
6
SHANNON A MONSON
NOTARY PUBLIC
STATE 4F COLORADO
NOTARY ID 20004029048
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES DEC 9.2020
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CONNEL.L
Revised EXHIBIT C
Mining Plan
The proposed Harmony Gardens Site permit area contains verified aggregate resources.
Although limited, the new supply will provide construction materials to meet the northern
Colorado demand.
Introduction and Overview
Connell Resources anticipates mining and reclaiming the proposed Harmony Gardens Site in
approximately four (4) months. However, the rate of mining and overall life of the mine is
dependent on several factors including product demand. Test pits have verified that commercial
deposits of sand and gravel exist to about 10 feet below the surface of the ground. In addition to
the commercial sand and gravel materials, clay, silt, and other non -marketable materials
excavated from the proposed permit area will be used on -site for reclamation.
Traditional organic topsoil on most of the site is thin (less than 4 inches thick), but is thickest in
areas where crop production was most common. Most of the soils are sandy loams that are well
drained. The topsoil and overburden will be stripped separately prior to mining the deposit and
stockpiled or used immediately for reclamation.
Due to the small mining area, plans currently include mining in just two phases — the mining
areas west (Phase I) and east (Phase II) of the Sinclair pipeline (see Exhibit E, Mining Plan
Map). An internal haul road will cross the Sinclair pipeline. There is an improved gravel farm
road that connects the proposed permit area with Weld County Road 74.
Even though the proposed permit area will be mined in two phases, integration of mining and
reclamation is still applicable within each phase. In general, as the pit reaches its maximum
depth and edges are completed, they will be backfilled and reclaimed. In areas where the final
pit depth has been achieved and operations are no longer present, backfilling and reclamation of
pit walls will extend onto the floor.
The only water used on -site for production will be for dust control. Water for dust control will
be trucked to the site from other locations. Therefore, no new water demands will occur on the
proposed Harmony Gardens Site.
Mining Methods
Groundwater is not expected to be encountered during mining and the deposit will be dry mined.
Mining will occur within 200 feet of the Lake Canal Ditch, however, depth of mining will not
reach the elevation of the ditch and intercepting ditch seepage is not anticipated. Mining will
proceed by first stripping and stockpiling topsoils and overburden. The exposed gravel will then
be removed in lifts and screened and/or transported off -site for processing. Since the material is
unconsolidated deposits, no blasting is required.
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 7
Earth Moving
Areas to be mined are prepared by removal of topsoil and overburden. Each preparation area
may be 100 feet or more in front of the mining operation. Where it is found, surface topsoil
material will be stripped separate from the underlying, deeper subsoil or overburden material.
This topsoil layer contains most of the soils organic matter and will be stockpiled separately for
use in reclamation. Once the surface layer has been removed, the rest of the overburden will be
stripped and stockpiled separate from the surface layer. Due to the short time frame of the
mining operation, it is anticipated that stockpiles will not remain through a growing season.
Therefore, the stockpiles will not be seeded for stabilization.
During mining and prior to reclamation, the mining face and walls will be a nearly vertical to
1/ZH:1 V slope (see Exhibit E, Mining Plan Map). Mining will progress down to the depth of
quality aggregate material or about 10 feet below the surface. As the mining face progresses, pit
sidewalls will behind the mining activities will be reclaimed. So that reclamation activities do
not interfere with mining operations, pit sidewalls may extend 300 feet behind the active mining
face without being reclaimed. The aggregate material will be recovered using equipment typical
for sand and gravel mining operations. Earth moving equipment may include, but are not limited
to dozers, loaders, scrapers, and excavators. The aggregate material from the pit will be
temporarily stockpiled within the pit or transported directly for processing or off the site. During
mining and reclamation activities, watering trucks for dust control will be used as needed.
Setbacks from the mine pit top of slope to the proposed permit boundary or man-made structures
not owned by the applicant will be 20 feet or greater. For setbacks adjacent to a man-made
structure not owned by the applicant that are less than 20 feet, an agreement will obtained from
the property owner or an engineering slope stability analysis will be performed. Setbacks from
near vertical mining excavations to the permit boundary will be a minimum of 20 feet.
Topsoil and overburden material excavated from the pit will be stockpiled and used for
backfilling mine pit slopes and other reclamation activities. The non -marketable material
stockpiles will be created adjacent to the areas that will be backfilled or on the pit floor. When
sufficient material is available in the stockpile, the material will be backfilled into previously
mined areas.
The side slopes of the mine pit will be backfilled, graded to a minimum 3H:1 V slope, and seeded
as mining progresses. Approximately 4,150 feet of pit side slopes will be created during mining.
Since reclamation is anticipated to be concurrent with mining operations, the actual length of
side slope requiring backfilling and grading at any point in time is expected to be far less than
4,150 feet. The majority of the pit depth is anticipated to be near 10 feet high. Once backfilling
and final grading has been completed in an area, the top of the slope and the side slopes will be
seeded as soon as practicable (based on first available seeding season).
Since reclamation will take place concurrently with mining, large and long-term topsoil and
overburden stockpiling is not anticipated. Topsoil and overburden stockpiles will be configured
to have side -slopes no steeper than 2H:1 V. If the stockpiles are inactive for more than one
growing season they will be seeded with the fast growing grass seed mixture in the table below.
However, since the stockpile materials will continually be used for reclamation, the stockpiles
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 8
will likely be disturbed on a frequent basis and seeding the stockpiles may not be practical during
the course of the operation. If stockpile seeding is not used, surface roughening will be
maintained to limit wind and water erosion.
Stockpile Grass Seed Mixture
Grass Species
(lbs
Rate
PLS/acre)
Intermediate
Wheatgrass
5.0
Blue Grama
1.0
Triticale
(sterile
hybrid)
1.25
Rates
are for broadcast
seeding.
In order to gain an understanding of the extent of the mining operation, it is helpful to know the
acres disturbed by different aspects of the mining operation. Each aspect is listed in the
following table with associated disturbed area. The table illustrates a point in time where the
mining disturbance could be at its maximum. At the proposed Harmony Gardens Site, it is
assumed that the mining disturbance will be at its greatest during mining of the east cell. During
this scenario, no reclamation will have been performed in the west cell, leaving approximately
1,500 feet of side slope for backfilling. In the worst -case scenario, as mining begins in the east
cell, reclamation will begin and progress in the west cell.
Mine Operation Aspects and Disturbance Areas
Aspect
Mining Operation
Disturbed
Area (acres)
Active
Mining Area:
A
1.
Near
vertical
un-reclaimed
pit
side slopes
(1,500 linear
ft).
3.0
2. Un-reclaimed
pit
floor.
Miscellaneous Disturbed Areas:
B
1.
Internal
haul
roads.
0.5
2.
Other.
Final
Reclamation:
C
1.
Seeding.
NA
2.
Re -seeding
Disturbed
Area
3.5
Total
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application
Page 9
Diversions and Impoundments
The existing grade of the proposed permit area generally drains to the south. Stormwater that
falls directly on disturbed areas will generally drain to the mine pit and be allowed to infiltrate.
The active mine pit will effectively contain stormwater flows and prevent surface runoff from
disturbed areas off the site. Stormwater not encountering disturbed areas will be allowed to drain
as it did prior to mining.
Material Processing and Associated Facilities
A portable processing facility for product screening may be brought to the site and used as
needed. The facility will be located within the pit close to where active mining is occurring. A
fueling/lubricating station, generators, and outdoor storage may also be located near the portable
processing facility. Pit run material will be hauled to the processing facility where raw material
and product stockpiles will be located. Alternatively, the material may be hauled off -site as pit
run for direct use or processing elsewhere.
Commodities to be Mined and Intended Use
Sand and gravel for use as construction materials will be the primary products produced from the
proposed Harmony Gardens Site. Test pits have verified that commercial deposits of sand and
gravel exist to about 10 feet below the surface of the ground. In addition to the commercial sand
and gravel materials, clay, silt, and other non -marketable topsoil and overburden materials will
be used on -site for reclamation.
Use of Explosives
Since the material is unconsolidated deposits, no explosives or blasting is required.
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 10
Revised EXHIBIT D
Reclamation Plan
This plan covers reclamation the proposed Harmony Gardens Site.
Final Proposed Land Use
The current land use for the Harmony Gardens Site property is agriculture. The use of this land
is not expected to change. Most of the land surrounding the proposed permit area has similar
agricultural uses. With so much open, undeveloped land in the surrounding area, maintaining
this land as general agriculture is consistent with the more regional land uses.
General Overview of the Reclamation Plan
Reclamation of the proposed permit area is fairly straightforward. After mining and reclamation,
the pit(s) will be dry depressions approximately 10 feet deep with 3H:1 V side slopes. Reclaimed
mine pit side slopes will be created from backfill with overburden and topsoil will be spread on
both the side slopes and pit bottom to establish a plant growth medium. All areas disturbed by
mining activities will be prepared with topsoil and overburden and revegetated during
reclamation. Revegetation will generate a blend of grass species and, given suitable
precipitation, should produce good vegetation cover over all of the reclaimed site.
In general, shallower reclaimed slopes will provide easier access during reclamation and safer
access for ranching equipment following mining. Shallower slopes will also aid in establishing
vegetation growth and minimize erosion. Although pit side slopes will be backfilled and graded
as shallow as possible, no slopes will be reclaimed any steeper than 3H:1 V. Grading of pit side
slopes and the pit bottom will attempt to adhere to the surrounding natural topography and
drainage patterns.
The portable processing facility and any other structures associated with mining will be removed
from the site during final reclamation activities. Roads not necessary for future access and other
disturbed areas will be reclaimed with topsoil and overburden replacement and vegetative cover
to stabilize the areas and minimize erosion.
Reclamation Measures/Materials Handling
All available overburden and topsoil material will be used for backfilling. Similar to mining,
earth moving equipment may include, but are not limited to dozers, loaders, scrapers, and
excavators. Additional farm equipment for grading and seeding may be used for revegetation
activities.
Materials Handling - Backfilling
The pit floor will receive only enough backfill to create final grading and to establish a growth
medium for revegetation. The pit slopes will require backfilling to achieve final reclaimed
slopes of at least 3H:1 V (see Exhibit E, Reclamation Plan Map). Because of the pit size and
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 11
possible limited overburden, it may not be possible to achieve complete side slope reclamation
by backfilling with available overburden material. The result is, depending upon the amount of
overburden material recovered and available for reclamation, side slope backfilling may need to
be enhanced with additional material from the pit floor. Using material from the pit floor will
make the pit slightly deeper, but all slopes will still be maintained at 3H:1 V or shallower.
Additional material required, if any, will be determined during mining as overburden material
quantities and pit depths are verified.
Materials Handling - Grading
The 3H:1 V pit side slopes will be graded to transition into the relatively flat pit floor. Grading of
the pit floor may leave a subtle rolling topography rather than a completely flat bottom
depending on varying depths of the sand and gravel deposit. The side slopes will also not be
graded smooth, but will contain a low profile ridging pattern that follows the contour. Final
grading that leaves this type of ridging pattern helps to capture water for plant growth as well as
reduce the velocity of runoff and slope erosion. On these slopes, erosion may present a
maintenance issue for the first year or two of revegetation if there are large, drenching
thunderstorms, but more normal low intensity thunderstorms should not create more than minor
rilling.
All backfilling and grading will be done to stabilize the material and control erosion. Final
grading and seeding will be done as soon as possible after backfilling, grading, and topsoiling
have been completed. There will not be known toxic or hazardous materials in the backfill
material. The reclamation will not leave high walls on the property. In addition, there will be no
auger holes, excavations, or shafts left on the property.
Topsoil and Revegetation
The growth medium for revegetation will be a combination of overburden and topsoils.
Unfortunately, there is not a large quantity of quality topsoil available at the site. Because of its
thin occurrence, true topsoil stripping will likely incorporate some of the underlying silty clay
overburden material. Every effort will be made to separate true topsoil stripping, but even with
the incorporation of some overburden material, it is not anticipated that large quantities of the
topsoil/overburden growth medium will be available for reclamation.
Because of its limited availability, the topsoil/overburden growth medium may not be placed
evenly over the entire site. The floor of the pit will likely need less growth medium because
moisture accumulation there will help vegetation growth and new soil development. Therefore,
only about 2 inches of the topsoil/overburden growth medium will be placed on the pit floor.
The same dressing will be used for areas where stockpiles, access roads, or mining structures
have been removed and the underlying material has been scarified in preparation for reclamation.
A minimum of 4 inches of growth medium will be placed on backfilled pit slopes. The extra
thickness of growth medium will help to retain moisture on the slopes and provide a deeper
rooting zone to help protect against erosion. For slopes created by backfilling, growth medium
will go on top of a considerable depth of overburden. When spreading growth medium on
slopes, the same requirements for general grading will be followed. Final grading prior to
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 12
seeding will only follow the contours of the slope, creating ridging patterns that follow the
contour, and will never produce tracks up and down the slope.
Planting of the site will be done as areas are finished with preparation after grading and
spreading topsoil/overburden growth medium. Planting will occur seasonally to allow for timely
germination with available moisture and to provide the highest possibility for growth success. If
possible, planting will be performed between mid -November and the end of April.
Drill seeding is the preferred method for revegetation. Grass seed should be planted with a drill
equipped with depth bands and press wheels. On this site, broadcast seeding is not advisable as
seed burial would be limited. If broadcast seeding is necessary on moist soils, steep slopes, or in
excessively rocky areas, success can be encouraged by broadcasting onto growth medium that is
very loose, such as occurs immediately after spreading the plant growth medium. If the seed is
broadcast in those circumstances, then the seeded area will be dragged to help bury the seed.
At this time, no mulch or fertilizer is being proposed. On west and south facing slopes, mulch
may be applied if desired, but only if the mulch is very strongly crimped into the soil. On this
site, straw mulch, unless well anchored would most likely just blow away, providing little
benefit. If mulch is used, certified weed -less straw mulch at a rate of 2,000 pounds per acre
should be applied.
Fertilizer may be applied to re -soiled areas in a manner that will encourage emergence and
survival of the grasses without encouraging competition from weeds. Starter fertilizer could be
applied before, or at the time of, seeding. If necessary, full fertilization will be applied after
emergence. However, any fertilization done following seeding should be done using a method
that does not cause large scale disturbance of the surface. Fertilizer mixtures will be based upon
soil tests made on samples taken from re -soiled areas prior to seeding.
The seed mixture for the proposed permit area provides a native grass seed mix and is listed
below.
Revegetation Seed Mix
Grass Species
(lbs
PLS/acre)
Rate
Blue
Grama
5.0
Western
Wheatgrass
3.0
Sideoats Grama
1.0
9.0
TOTAL
Rates are for drill
seeding rates.
seeding.
g If broadcast
seeding
is used, double
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application
Page 13
If a significant invasion of noxious weeds occurs after seeding, the weeds will be mowed before
they can go to seed. The areas will be mowed periodically for additional control as needed.
Mechanical control will be used as a first priority. Chemical methods will only be used if no
other alternative produces acceptable results.
Periodic inspection for noxious weeds, at least once a year early in the season, will be done. The
weed inspection will search for not only the expected species but also any new List A or B
species introductions. It is likely that non -noxious and List C species will also be found. Non -
noxious weeds, which are often native invaders, will also be controlled to the extent practicable.
List C noxious species are problematic but are usually not as serious as List B species. List B
species in Colorado and utilized for Weld County weed management include: Absinth
wormwood, Black henbane, Bouncingbet, Bull thistle, Canada thistle, Chinese clematis,
Common tansy, Common teasel, Corn chamomile, Cutleaf teasel, Dalmatian toadflax, Dame's
rocket, Diffuse knapweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, Hoary cress, Houndstongue, Jointed goatgrass,
Leafy spurge, Mayweed chamomile, Moth mullein, Musk thistle, Oxeye daisy, Perennial
pepperweed, Plumeless thistle, Quackgrass, Russian knapweed, Russian -olive, Salt cedar,
Scentless chamomile, Scotch thistle, Spotted knapweed, Spurred anoda, Sulfur cinquefoil,
Venice mallow, Wild caraway, Yellow nutsedge, and Yellow toadflax.
All List A species must be eradicated by law. These weeds include African rue, Bohemian
knotweed, Camelthorn, Common crupina, Cypress spurge, Dyer's woad, Elongated mustard,
Giant knotweed, Giant salvinia, Hydrilla, Japanese knotweed, meadow knapweed, Mediterranean
sage, Medusahead, Myrtle spurge, Orange hawkweed, Purple loosestrife, Rush skeletonweed,
Squarrose knapweed, Tansy ragwort, and Yellow starthistle. The current complete list of
noxious weed species and local management plans is available from the Weld County Weed
Division.
Water — General
No groundwater is expected to be encountered in the mining and therefore groundwater in the
area should not be affected. Groundwater is not expected to be encountered during mining and
the deposit will be dry mined. Mining will occur within 200 feet of the Lake Canal Ditch,
however, depth of mining will not reach the elevation of the ditch and intercepting ditch seepage
is not anticipated.
The only water used on -site for production will be for dust control. Water for dust control will
be trucked to the site from other locations. Therefore, no new water demands will occur on the
proposed Harmony Gardens Site.
No irrigation will be used in establishing the vegetation, so no water rights are required for those
purposes. No water storage will occur in the pit.
To minimize the effect on the prevailing hydrologic balance, the operator shall:
a. Comply with all applicable Colorado water laws.
b. Comply with all applicable Federal and State water quality laws and regulations.
c. Comply with all Federal and State requirements for dredge and fill.
d. Perform all work to minimize erosion and sediment transport.
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 14
Buildings and Structures
There are no existing buildings or structures in the proposed permit area and no structures will be
left following reclamation.
Signs and Markers
Permit notification signs will be placed and maintained at the entrance to the operation. The
permit boundary will be identified where it is not already identified by fences or suitable
markers. All signs and markers will be removed upon permit release.
Reclamation Costs
In order to calculate maximum potential reclamation liability to the State, we have selected a
point in time where reclamation costs could be at a maximum. It is assumed that the time of
maximum mining disturbance may be at the completion of Phase I. Although concurrent
reclamation is expected to be performed during Phase I, during the worst -case scenario, no
reclamation will have been performed in the Phase I pit. Backfilling of the side slopes to 3H:1 V
has not begun. Stockpiles with available topsoil/overburden for backfilling will be near the pit
and areas for reclamation, so haul distances will generally be less than 500 feet. Each aspect is
listed in the following table with associated disturbed area. Please refer to Exhibit C, Mining
Plan, for a listing of disturbed areas that total 3.5 acres. This estimate will follow the same order
as the listing in Exhibit C. Connell Resources Inc. is an earth moving and construction
contractor and unit costs for reclamation activities were provided from bidding documents
associated with similar projects. Since all structures used in the mining operation are portable, it
is assumed that removal of the structures do not have associated costs.
The active mining area will include near vertical pit side slopes and un-reclaimed pit floor. The
near vertical pit slopes in Phase I will total 1,500 linear feet with a height of 10 feet. The
exposed pit floor requiring reclamation will be less than three (3) acres. As Phase II is initiated,
Phase I reclamation will begin, so it is assumed that during this worst -case scenario there are no
disturbances associated with Phase II.
Miscellaneous disturbed areas at the point of maximum disturbance will include internal haul
roads and other related disturbances. These areas will be tilled in preparation for
topsoil/overburden growth medium placement, final grading, and seeding for revegetation. It is
estimated that the combined area of these disturbances will be approximately one-half
(0.5) acres.
Since quality topsoil is thin on the Harmony Gardens Site, vegetation growth medium will
include the best quality topsoil/overburden material available. If available, a minimum of
4 inches of growth medium will be placed on all disturbed areas following backfilling,
scarifying, and/or rough grading. Final grading of the topsoil/overburden growth medium will
prepare the surface for seeding. After initial seeding and the first season's growth, it is estimated
that approximately 20 percent of the seeded area will need to be re -seeded.
A breakdown of the estimated reclamation costs during the scenario presented above is provided
in the following table.
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application Page 15
Estimated Reclamation Costs
Aspect
I
Reclamation
Operation
I Quantity
Units
Unit
Cost
(5) 1
Cost
(5)
Active
Mining Area
Al
A1.1
Backfill
[0.5(1,500'
near vertical
x 10' x 30')]
pit
walls
to 3H:1
V slopes
8,500
'
CY
$1.05
$8,925
A1.2
Rough
backfill
grade
only
backfilled
- 1,500'
x
slopes
32'
(top
x 1')
toot
of
1,800
CY
$0.50
$900
A1.3
1
'�
(1,500'
Place
growth
x 32'
x
medium
0.4')
on
backfilled
slopes
720�
CY
51.05
$756
A1.4
Final
grade backfilled
slopes
720
CY
$0.50
$360
A2
A2. 1
(3
Place
growth
acres x 0.2')
medium on pit
floor
97 0
CY
S1.05
$1,019
A2.2
Final
grade pit
floor
970
CY
$0.50
$485
Miscellaneous
Disturbed Areas
B1
B1.1
Internal
haul roads and
other
disturbed
areas
na
81.2
Till all
areas in Aspect
B
0.5
Ac
$25.00
$13
B1.3
Place growth
(0.5 acres
medium
x 0.2')
on
all areas
in Aspect
B
800
CY
5�; 1.05
$840
B1.4
Final grade all areas in Aspect
B
800
CY
$0.50
$400
Final
Reclamation
C 1
C1.1
Seed
all
areas in
Aspects
A and
B
3.5
Ac
$675
$2,363
C1.2
Re -seed 20% of all areas in Aspects A and
B
0.7
Ac
$675
5473
Total
Reclamation
Costs
$16,532
Contractor
Mobilization/
Demobilization
Costs
(8%)
0.08
$1,323
Overhead (18.5%)
0.185
53,058
Administration
(5%)
0.05
$827
Total
Proposed
Financial Warrenty
$21,740
Disturbed
Acreage
3.5
Financial
Warrenty
per Acre
56,211
Harmony Gardens Site
DRMS Limited Impact 110 Permit Application
Page 16
ANN DESERAN
AND ALDEN HILL
Par. No. 080706100004
2'-41 SOIL/OVERBURDEN
51-81 SAND/GRAVEL
TYPICAL MINING SECTION
5J' TEMPORARY I`i
CONSTRUCTION
EASEMENT
Rec No. 325837
OVERBURDEN
STOCKPILES
Vi (TYPICAL)
20" MINING
SETBACK
HISTORIC GROUND
MINING SLOPE
2-T RACK
DIRT ACCESS
PHASE
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
LXIS I'NU GAS LINL
(SINCLAIR PIPELINE,
COMPANY)
50' PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY
EASEMENT (BK 1641, PG 296)
PIT FLOOR
EXIST NG IMPHO17ED1
FARM ACCESS ROAD
(NORTH TO WELD
COUNTY ROAD 74)
CROSS -HATCHED
EXISTIN
(SINCLAIR PIPELIN
COMPANY)
SERFER LAND
VENTURES, LLC
Par. No. 080706200006
HAP AR
SITE PERMIT AREA
0.00 ACRES
20' MINING
SETBACK
A
AND ALDEN HILL
ar. No. 080706100004
25' CITY OF GREELEY
WATER LINE EASEMENT
Rec. No 3245837
EXISTING
WATER LINES
(CITY OF GREELEY)
PHASE II
2 -TRACK
DIRT ACCESS
—OVERBURDL
STOCKPILES
f JYPICAL)
201.76'
PERMIT
TO
200 O 200 Feet
(IN FEET)
1 inch 2OOft.
NOTES:
The proposed permit boundary encompasses
approximately 9.9 acres with only about
7.7 acres currently planned for mining.
Material processing is not expected to take
place on site, however a portable processing
facility for product screening may be brought
to the site and used as needed. The facilities
will be located within the pit close to where
active mining is occurring.
Groundwater is not expected to be
encountered during mining.
Soils in the proposed permit area include
Olney fine sand loam and Cascajo gravely
sandy loam.
Vegetation within the proposed permit area is
generally classified as being from a prairie
shrubland ecoregion, but previous disturbances
have greatly changed the native vegetation
character of the site.
The Lake Canal Ditch is near the south side
of the proposed permit boundary, but the
proposed mining operation does not anticipate
any impacts to the ditch or surrounding
groundwater hydrology.
Best Management Practices will be used to
limit discharge of stormwater and sediment
onto adjacent properties and waterways.
LEGEND:
— — a Permit Boundary
Mining Setback Line
IS IM Permit Buffer Line
Existing Easement Line
— Existing Gas Line
w Existing Water Line
Existing Dirt Access
Overburden Stockpiles
TOP SOIL
OVERBURDEN
BACKFILL MATERIAL
60' TEMPORARY
CONSTRUCTION
EASEMENT
nee No. 325837
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
APPROXIMATE
MINING LIMITS
APPROXIMATE
MINING LIMITS
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
RECLAIMED SLOPE
HISTORIC GROUND
MINING HIGHWALL
TYPICAL BACKFILL FILL RECLAMATION
ATION
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
EXISTING GAS LINE
(SINCLAIR PIPELINE
COMPANY)
4" TOP SOIL
2" TOP SOIL
MINING FLOOR
EXISTING IMPROVED
FARM ACCESS ROAD
(NORTH TO WELD
COUNTY ROAD 74)
APPROXIMATE
MINING LIMITS
EXISTING GAS LINE
(SINCLAIR PIPELINE',
COMPANY
HARMONY GARDEN
SITE PERMIT AREA
9.90 ARE __
i PPROXIMATE
MINING LIMITS
25' CITY OF GREELEY
WATER LINE EASEMENT
Rec. No. 3245837
EXISTING
WATER LINES
(CITY OF GREELEY)
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
TRA
DIRT ACCESS
APPROXIMATE
MINING LIMITS
PERMIT
BOUNDARY
( IN FEET )
1 inch ODft.
NOTES:
The proposed final land use for the Harmony Gardens She is
general agriculture.
Reclaimed mine pit side slopes will be created from backfill
with overburden.
3. All available topsoil and overburden material will be used for
backfilling and site reclamation,
The growth medium for revegetation will be replacement of
pm -existing topsoils.
The seed mixture for the proposed permit area provides a
native grass seed mix.
Revegetation Seed Mix
Species
Rate
(I bs PLS/acre)
Blue Grarna
5
Western Wheatgrass
3
Sideoats Grama
1
TOTAL
9
Rates are for drill seeding. If broadcast seeding is
used, double seeding rates.
Periodic inspection for noxious weeds, at least once a year
early in the season, will be done as part of a weed management
plan.
The portable processing facility and any other structures
associated with mining will be removed from the site during
final reclamation activities,
Best Management Practices will be used to control erosion and
stormwater suspended sediment runoff from the site during
reclamation activities.
LEGEND:
— — — Permit Boundary
--- Mining Setback Line
Permit Buffer Line
Existing Easement Line
Existing Gas Line
Existing Water Line
Existing Dirt Access
Overburden Stockpiles
H
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Letter of Transmittal
DATE: June 2, 2017
TO: Weld County Clerk to the Board
1150 0 Street
Greeley, Colorado 80632
FROM: Bill Schenderlein
Blue Earth Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 2427
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
(970) 227-2803
WE TRANSMIT:
Attached
n Information Below
Remarks:
THE FOLLOWING:
Originals
■ Copy of Letter
Applications
Specifications
n Other
ue earth
SOLUTIONS
FOR YOUR:
Use
Approval
Information
1 Review & Comment
Submission of this material satisfies requirements of the Mine Land Reclamation Board
Construction Materials Limited Impact (110) Reclamation permit application. The enclosed
application material must remain for public review at least sixty (60) days after a decision on
said application has been made the Office of Mined Land Reclamation (Rule 1.6.2 (2)).
Confidential materials were purposely excluded.
• One (1) copy of Response Letter and revised exhibits in response to DRMS application
incompleteness letter dated May 31, 2017 — Connell Resources, Inc. — Harmony
Gardens Site, M-2017-021.
Signed:
Blue Earth Solutions, LLC ` P.Q. Box 2427 • Fort Collins, CO 80522 • (970) 227-2803
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