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Home My WebLink AboutRESOURCE RECOVERY FARM, SAND & GRAVEL MINE - PDP/FDP - 17-99 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFF (3)EAST PROSPECT ROAD SEW scum ULES yell rmfrn.-uxr. r. rrnenmartrn>•p�,.�—� trn�rt�zr. ez E=�T,�ii—� --�mmFct. :a rtn;♦� r Ixxd7�11•.� n. .. � .. v� —® h'Ez rmr.�.mrrn® mzz lw r:amxa�,•.v �� 1 RECLAMATION NOTES 1. THIS RECLAMATION PLAN IS INTENDED TO CONVEY THE POST -MINING LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND IS CONCEPTUAL IN NATURE. FIELD ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE AS NECESSARY & AS OPPORTUNITIES ARISE. 2. COMPACTED BACKFILL WILL BE PLACED ON ALL PERIMETER SIDESLOPES TO MINIMIZE POST -MINING GROUND WATER SEEP AND LAKE SURFACE AREA. END LAND USE NATURAL AREA 174 ACRES V7_ L.....;o...\ _ II / I! • li ! O 0:: !i I tt ;I \ o Q.i i LEGEND FINISHED CONTOUR (2' INTERVAL) TOPSLOPE � SLOPE GRADIENT (H:V) TOE OF SLOPE WATERCOURSE/WATERBODY NEW DRAINAGE CONDUIT —� PERMIT BOUNDARY LIMIT OF DEVELOPMENT —SS —SS— EXISTING PIPELINE p--p- EXISTING OVERHEAD POWERLINE max— EXISTING FENCE - - .. EXISTING UNIMPROVED ROAD -it--X X n— BUCK & RAIL FENCE 9net xde: As WLeO 5 Frepaalm Oare: AYy lfi, 1939 Of Cram by: 5 a11 1 11AE mW Ocya FLemme File: 773 ND DATE 6Y CNK• OESCRIPTK) REVISIONS ❑ 0 re 7. 6:1 8:1 d 0 oa o°r L (j O CONCIET Z A EPA 0 100' 200' 400'0111�� /11; -' 489 SCALE 1' - 200' .. , / � ! LANDSCAPE BUFFER (SEE PLAN VIEW, SHEET 4) Z O \`\ m 1 i I 10 a I 11 o N \ti CENTER SECTION 2, �' B I Ito T7N, R68W� ` 1 Ii•. i G .. v ffr.0.0. II: fo .. L.O.O. f/ DRAINAGE CONDUD l'41 PROJECT: RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM Applicant: Prepared by: NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT. Sand Gravel Mine Anderson& Company Hart Environmental and i> City of Fort Collins 281 North College P.O Bo. 880 ecoplannlnR 420 Sunset Street P.O. Box 1303 Boulder, Colorado SHEET TITLE: Preliminary Development Plan RECLAMATION PLAN MAP afyOf od Lol n3 ort Col8052-058Colorado 80822-0880 (303) 7764680306 (303) 776-4636 (80306 (303) 4446602 303) NEW IRRIGATION LATERAL, NORTHEAST L.O,D. 6 -PC �1-CC RR 16 EAST PROSPECT 6-PC—I Ala -Ws NOTE' ALTERNATE NE PATTERN Tom' TO LANDSCAPEPE LENGTH OF -� TEMPORARY BERM (APPROX. 1100 L.F.1 LANDSCAPE BUFFER - Plan View = 20' LANDSCAPE BUFFER PLAN' SCHEDULE AMLEE -i Ntt, SLOV.,ae- MN1,9, MYYgdy, CPGFap6.. nl ROBERT BEHNKE ':,_: \q EXISTING IRRIGATION/ BUFFER DITCH SCREENING BERM IEfd1 f\( TFA1o0RARY �J _�' 5'-0' THiEE STRAND BUCK 6 RAIL SMOOTH WIRE FENCE EXISTING ROAD/ FENCE \ y'! "`�. �:-^ -------- TRAIL LINKAGE r �r �` 0 r` I II I II I II II91 II I II ,�r I III �rfr I. A LANDSCAPE BUFFER - Cross Section PLATTE RIVER r=10- -POWER AUTHORITY�a;_-,=.'," �` MINING AND RECLAMATION SEQUENCE ri1 _ '.'i:'.'.`.'.; .:i :l•.'.•:..:i :'i: .:'.'i:' ' COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY NEW i EXiStrng Conditions Mine Available Gravel i ENVIRONMENTAL GATE ant LEARNING CENTER Pl�)' `�` 2.5. Strip Overburden Move Demtering Tremb \,I Wets Sumae �` . I J O 4' Eyes Sand '` I'Ifl 3. - Wit` •., °.F 6. Fvac,a�=ng Trench After Operatiore, 1 l 1HNING SCHEDULE STAGE APPROX. YEARS AND DATES OF OPERATION \ 1 STAGE 3 YEARS 2000-2003 t\ STAGE 2 3 YEARS 2003-2006 STAGE 3 2 YEARS 2006-2008 MINE PERMIT AREA \1 TOTAL PERMIT AREA - 174 ACRES / TOTAL DISTURBANCE- 106 ACRES• APPROX. 1 �� COLORADO. STATE 1� o ), ;i \ UNIVERSITY li ENVIRONMENTAL O ii\ \ LEARNING CENTER' I I \lv \ LEGEND Toom AMERCIAURESIDENTIAL LHAGEMAN GER LOY 0. t COMMERCIAL - BANKS I 0 K & M CO. Z i 0 tar 200' 40O' I� , r SCALE I' 200' OP I 1. PIIDLN: TRAIL i LINKAGE\ ; ' CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL AREA 3 STAGE CENTIFr SECTION 21 �T7N, ROW L.O.D. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY CONCRET LATERAL LANDSCAPE BUFFER (SEE PLAN VIEW, THIS SHEET) I STAGE 2 NEW IRRIG, LATERAL 5.7 AGRICULTURAL - CITY OF FORT COLLINS RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM STAGE MAINTAIN MIN. 100SETBACK FROM WEST TOP OF BANK OF I BO%ELDER CREEK, NP. -- -- ---r `- -4874-_ r �1 LL \ II! . ' 1 APPROX. MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY • a il! CONVEYORS a PERMIT BOUNDARY LIMITOF DEVELOPMENT TAB. OVERBURDEN & TOPSOIL STOCKPILE AREA (Locations approximate, to vary during mining) it —SS—SS— EXISTING PIPELINE --Cache -O .-. EXISTING OVERHEAD POWERLINE ache \..-_ EXISTING FENCE 0 0 0 3-STRAND SMOOTH -WIRE FENCE M BUCK & RAIL FENCE ,.....I... CONVEYOR I"IIIVINU - FLATIRON COMPANIES EAST RIGDEN EASEMENT CONVEYOR TO EAST RIG PROCESSING PLANT / ° I BOXELDER SANITATION DISTRICT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT i / u Sheet 4 Of S 5cae: As Noted �waaNn Doe: i 16 1999 Dr. by Mary Ruse.p File. 773 PROJECT: RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM Sand and Gravel Mine Applicant: NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT' { City of Fort t CollinsC College %.-.may Fort d�'" t � �.■� P.D. Boe 580 ityo7Fan� n, Fort Collins. Colorado 80522-0580 Prepared by: Anderson Company Hart Environmental 420 ecoplanning P.O. Box 1303 Longmont Co. 0306 0306t Street r, Colorado (303)776-4636 (303)444-6602 SHEET TIT LE: Preliminary Development Plan MINING PLAN MAP 1 11/l Y9 m� Oty or Ft. Coors rrNsons NO DATE BY OM' DESCRIPTION REVISIONS 0 0 E:I El �EAST PROSPECT R( ==:0 LEGEND, COMMIERCIAURESIDENT11 L COLORADO STATE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY ROr-3 BERT ROGER LOYI_01. _c COMMERCIAL - UNIVERSITY PERMIT BOUNDARY 0 BEHNKE HAGEMANt , BANKS K & M CO. z �CONCRFT L.O.D. LIMITS OF DEVELOPMENT LATERAL PROPERTY BOUNDARY 0 1 Co. 2001 40T EXISTING STREAMS & WATERBODIES SCALE V = 200' NATURAL HABITATS & FEATURES' GRASSLANDS PUBLIC TRAIL UNXACE O - MARSH & WET MEADOW ------ 4894 ORIPARIAN FOREST CITY 0 FORT'COLLINS NATURAL AREA AQUATIC ii EASTING PIPELINE R, 0;#,007 �( i1I,'�'1'11IS.' `Iu `/)iIIf ;/+ 19 �. � I , 1i " EXISTING OVERHEAD POWERLINE P EXISTING FENCE --- ----- 4888 EXISTING TOPOGRAPHY (2-CONTOUR INTERVAL) r EXIS71NG TREES EXISTING STRUCTURES 10 0: j DEPTH OF OVERBURDEN (IN FEET) (6/16) DEPTH OF ALLUVPJM (IN FEET) ON SITE WETLAND 0 CENTER SECTION 21 T7N,R68W PLATTE RIVER HOR NATURAL AREAS ADAPTED FROM CITY OF FORT COLLIM RESOURCE INVENTORY, �POWER AUT IT L�O.D� NATURAL HABITATS & FEATURES MAP AND SHOWN WITHIN 5W FEET OF PERMIT BOUNDARY k, MTN. w ---------- ---- - A876----- --4874 P AGRICULTURAL - CITY OF FORT COLLINS RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM _ _ ''',1` ------ ---- 2, i'arb II -4872-- NON-NAT E,' POPLARS ::::.::. (UNDISTURBED) 7"MINING-� ...... ......... . FLATIRON COMPANIES: BOXELDER SANITATION DISTRICT EAST RIGDEN::WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ::-� ... . . . . . . . . . Topography compiled! by photogrammetric methods torn W F L. vertical aerial photography exposed on May 8, 1984 for the City Of Fort cauhns by ApEx corporation. Sheer PROJECT: Applicant:.Prepared by: Sods �NMI,0 RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM Applicant:. NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT. Anderson & Company Hart Environmental Froporat on Care: — Sand and Gravel Mine ecoptanning P.O. Box 1303 3 july 11s, 1999 — City of Fort Collins 420 Sunset Street Boulder, Colorado Of 2d I North College Dr� by: SHEET TITLE: Preliminary Development Plan P 0 Bon 580 Longmont Co 80306 80306 Jr Harry Run,r, nor C,yctrt.crNarsreIiqors F.rL(olhr, Co)orado (303) 77�-4636 (303) 444-6602 Fd,: 773 -DATE By C[07 — PRE -MINING —Natural Habitat & FeatureS _4[07 DESCRIPTION80522-0580 No Text RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM Sand and Gravel Mine Natural Resources Department City of Ft. Collins LEGEND w. Hvn u14 c PROJECT •t•Rc'♦r " ` River Conservation r a4 LOCATION Commercial ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • • • r RC% POL Q Y F ♦ ♦ ♦ r � ,T I :;:� Employment " ® Industrial •.•E ..::' POL r •\• N POL Public Open Lands r 1 r r •: :-}} •: 1 i r ® Transition 1r1 i OIITADE FT. CIX W IOTYlIMT9 F I�• 4 ♦ RC. `S CSU'- ♦ ♦l pP •*r :''E :` r`r, ♦ ♦ i UE ' Urban Estate ORW(E RD r P r u PO 41 MI RAD.: F . caLws T CITY LIMITS Q' S n RC ♦ 0 O HORSErwTH RD REF: CITY OF FORT COLLINS ZONPlG G.I.S., MARCH, 1997 VICINITY MAP N.T.S PLANNING & ZONING APPROVAL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO. THIS DAY OF 1999. SECRETARY OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OWNER'S CERTIFICATION THE UNDERSIGNED DOES/DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT VINE ARE THE LAWFUL OWNERS OF REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED ON THIS PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT VINE ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ON SAID PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PLAN. CITY OF FT. COLLINS SIGNED BY : __ __ DATE: CITY MANAGER NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF COLORADO, LARIMER COUNTY THE FOREGOING INSTRUMENT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ME THIS DAY___ OF _ 1999. BY WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL MY COMMISSION EXPIRES: ADDRESS FOR NOTARY INDEX OF DRAWINGS 1 TITLE SHEET 2 PRE -MINING CONDITIONS WATER BODIES, FLOODPLAINS. 3 PRE -MINING CONDITIONS NATURAL HABITATS & FEATURES 4 MINING PLAN 5 RECLAMATION PLAN Sheet 1 Of 5 scae: As Notes Pre,aatoa oae: 'try 16, 1999 orem M Mary Rusnlrg me: 773 PROJECT: RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM Sand and Gravel Mine Applicant: NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT. ,..� City Of Fort Collins :'-,� 281 norm College P,o. Box 580 ulyelmnwnm Fort Cglllre, Cgloreda 60522-0580 Prepared by: Anderson a Company Hart Environmental ecoplannirg P.O. Box 1303 420 Sunset Street Boulder, Colorado Longmont, Co. 60306 60306 (303)776-4696 (303)4446602 SHEET TITLE: Preliminary Development Plan TITLE SHEET _ 1 ll/1Y9 mcr city or Ft. Cdlins,esons MG DATE ar GESCRIPnW REVISIONS Resource Recovery Farm Sand and .vel Mine PDPAppfieadon —Response to Review Comments Page 8 21. I have conducted a field reconnaissance of the site and found no evidence of raptor nests within the vicinity of the site. The impetus for the project has been to provide an alternative to the existing approved mining plan that would result in mining significant portions of the riparian woodland along the south bank of the Poudre River in the vicinity of the Environmental Learning Center. This project will therefore protect highly significant areas of habitat for raptors including the most likely nesting sites in the vicinity. Post -mining, the reclaimed mine site will provide excellent habitat for hawks, owls, and other wildlife. 22. None of the area within the mine permit boundary occurs in the floodway (see Pre - Mining Conditions - Floodway, Floodplain). A small portion of the southeast comer of the permit area occurs in the 100-year floodplain. No stockpiling will occur in the floodplain. Approximate stockpile locations are depicted on the Mining Plan, sht. 3, and will vary as mining progresses. 23. The question of mining proximity to Boxelder Creek is addressed in item 7. 24. A drainage pipe, depicted on the Reclamation Plan, sht. 5, will facilitate drainage from the Stage 3 area to the lower portion of the mine pit. Further information on stormwater drainage is provided in item 7. 25. During mining, a settling pond, approximately 1/2 acre in size, is established at the low end of the pit to collect groundwater and surface runoff. Here, suspended solids settle out prior to pumping and discharging the water. All discharges will conform with the NPDES permit requirements. 26. The City Stormwater Utility Department is currently undertaking a study of the Boxelder Creek floodplain. As recommended by the Stormwater Utility Department staff, once the floodplain study is complete, revisions to the mine and reclamation plans necessary to accommodate flood conveyance will be addressed. 27. The conveyor is both within the city limits and in Larimer County. A floodplain use permit application is included in the PDP application. 28. This item addresses the PDP application process. No response is required. We appreciate staffs comments and recommendations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if further clarification is required. PA:pa attachments cc: P. Kaia Anderson, Anderson & Company Mike Hart, Hart Environmental file- a&c: projects: 1998: FC802 Resource Recovery Farm Sand an. _.ravel Mine ` PDPApplication —Response toRevlewComments Pagel Soil Conservation Service offices, City staff, adjacent property owners, and affected utility companies. The mine and reclamation plans were also submitted to the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Board of County Commissioners. The state 112 permit application is also filed with the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder. The State of Colorado, Division of Minerals and Geology, has approved the proposed mining and reclamation plan. • Because the project site is primarily cultivated land and has few natural habitats and features on it, the information included in the project application was taken primarily from existing information in the files of the Natural Resources Department. This information was supplemented by field reconnaissance conducted by myself and other department staff and by field stuides to determine the presence or absence of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse and the Ute's Ladies Tress. 13. The question of employee parking raised by the Transportation Planning Department is addressed in item 8. 14. The project proposal has been reviewed and endorsed by the Natural Resources Advisory Board and by the Water Board. The project will be presented to the City Council for approval on December 7, 1999. 15. A State Highway Access Permit is not required for this project. Transportation Engineer Bob Felsburg, of Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig, has assessed the project proposal and found no net increase in traffic volumes and no change in access (ref PDP application, Appendix D). 16. The question of employee access is addressed in item 8. 17. Setbacks from Boxelder Creek are delineated on the revised plans. 18. The Preble's Mouse survey is addressed in item 12. A survey for the federally listed Ute Ladies' Tresses Orchid, Spiranthes &Iuvialis, was also performed in potential habitat areas subject to disturbance during the accepted blooming season, 1999. No Spiranthes d plants were observed. The survey report has been submitted .to the FWS, and the letter of survey acceptance will be submitted to the City when received. 19. The natural areas buffer is addressed in item 12. 20. The Limits of Development (LOD) are depicted on the revised plan and labeled as such. Resource Recovery Farm Sand and �..vel Mine PDP Appllcatlon —Response to Review Comments Page 6 9. Regarding comments received from Jim Slagle of the Public Service Company, no re-routing of PSC facilities will be required. 10. Regarding the comments received from Tom McCormick of the Platte River Power Authority: • No stockpiling will occur within the overhead double circuit 230.000 volt powerline easement. • The operator will conform with the 15 foot maximum height limitation for equipment beneath and near the overhead powerline. • The overhead powerline easement will not be disturbed, and maintenance and operation access will be maintained at all times. 11. Regarding comments received from the Mapping and Drafting Department, the subdivision plat has been deleted. 12. Regarding comments received from the Natural Resources Department: • The revisions to the Land Use Code adopted in March 1999 clarified the distinction between the "Limits of Development" and the "Natural Area Buffer". The former defines all areas that will be disturbed, either on a temporary or permanent basis, during the construction or development process. The latter defines areas that will be set aside from development on a permanent basis in order to protect natural habitats or features. Because the entire site will become a city -owned natural area after mining, the entire site will be a natural area buffer. The Limits of Development are shown on the revised drawings. • The Limits of Development (LOD) are depicted on the revised plan and labeled as such. This line generally represents the limit of disturbance due to excavation or construction (i.e. conveyor placement on ELC lake). Access will occur outside these limits on the existing perimeter roads, within the permit boundary. • The Natural Resources Department staff contracted for a survey of the area for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse during the 1999 survey season. No Preble's meadow jumping mice were found. The letter of survey acceptance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is attached. • The mining and reclamation plan was designed by the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department, through its consultants, and in consultation with LaFarge. The plan was designed to enhance wildlife habitat diversity following mining and follows the general guidelines established by the City's Strategy for Gravel Mines Along the Poudre River. The mining and reclamation plans were reviewed by the Colorado State Department of Minerals and Geology, two local Resource Recovery Farm Sand ana caravel Mine PDPApplication—Response to Review Comments Page S Mine Phasing Schedule Mine Stage Last Biosolids Application Last Crop 1 Fall, 1998 Summer, 1999 2 Fall, 1999 Summer, 2000 3 Fall, 2000 Summer, 2001 • The Boxelder Sanitation District has been contacted and will locate the District's sanitary sewer lines in the field. The setbacks will be field -staked prior to any disturbance near these lines. 7. In response to comments received from the Stormwater Utility Department: • The setback at Boxelder Creek has been revised to provide a minimum 100-foot setback between the LOD and the top of bank throughout the mine area. • During mining, runoff will collect at the low point of the mine pit and be pumped to a discharge point in accordance with the NPDES permit. Post -reclamation, runoff will collect at the south end of the pit, where it will evaporate. Because the estimated bottom of the pit is approximately 8-10 feet lower than the streams in this reach, a direct outfall to the Poudre or Boxelder Creek is not feasible. The pits will be sealed with compacted backfill to minimize groundwater seep, and seep into the pits from Boxelder Creek or the Poudre. In the future, the feasibility of constructing a drainage pipe or tile at the low, south end of the pit which outfalls into Boxelder Creek or the Poudre River some distance downstream may be studied. This will require an easement through Boxelder Sanitation District property. 8. In response to comments received from the Engineering Department: • Employees working at the Resource Recovery Farm site will access the site from the East Rigden plant via an existing bridge crossing or from the existing Resource Recovery Farm access drive at Prospect Road. No more than 5 or 6 employees will access the mine site each day. Therefore a maximum of 6 vehicles per day will park at the mine site, and in most instances, the number will be 2 or 3 per day. 9 The subdivision plat has been deleted. Resource Recovery Farm Sand an. wel Mine PDPApphcatron—Response to Review Comments Page 4 and the berm are temporary features, to be removed upon completion of reclamation in Phase 3. Between mine Phases 1 and 2, and the ELC, an effective tree screen currently exists at the west access road. No additional landscaping is planned. To further buffer the ELC, temporary stockpiles will be placed between mining and the ELC as shown during a portion of the mining. The conveyor location, originally shown on this western road, has been revised. The conveyor will extend across the ELC lake south of the mine permit area. As a result, the conveyor will not be visible to areas open to the public during mining. The conveyor will be floated on the water surface. A pan will be constructed beneath the conveyor to prevent materials from spilling into the lake. • I have discussed the requirement that development be limited to 30 percent of the project site with Greg Byrne, CPES Director and other members of the Growth Management Lead Team. It is our interpretation that this limitation was meant to apply only to areas of permanent development and not to resource extraction activities. To limit the area of gravel mining in this way would be contrary to the intent of the River Conservation District which was designed, in part, to allow resource extraction and processing activities to occur. It also would be contrary to state law. A formal administrative interpretation is being prepared to document the Management Team's finding. 5. The Codes and Standards submitted by the Building Inspection Department will be adhered to if electricity is extended to the site. 6. Regarding the comments received from the Water & Wastewater Department: • Dennis Bode and Mike Smith have been contacted regarding the potential use of water rights associated with the mine portion of the Resource Recovery Farm parcel for augmentation post -reclamation, if needed. The Natural Resources Department will acquire the water rights with the mine parcel, although the water rights will continue to be administered by the Water Utility. The Water Board has approved the internal transfer of the land and the water from the Water Utility to the Natural Resources Department. The City Council will consider this action on December 7, 1999. • Biosolids will not be applied this fall in the Phase 1 mine area, and cropping will not be required next year. The following schedule is offered to clarify the proposed schedule for phasing in mining. The life of the mine has been reduced from ten (10) years to eight (8) years in the revised PDP. The mine schedule is dependent on the market economy, however. To ensure that biosolids application and cropping do not conflict with mining, the following schedule should be adhered to. Resource Recovery Farm Sand anu �jmvel Mine PDP Apphcation —Response to Review Comments Page 3 south of the exisiting ELC parking area (south of the river) will be mined. The Natural Resources Department is collaborating with CSU on the design and location of trails and interpretive features here, elsewhere on the ELC, and on City -owned natural areas in the vicinity. As part of our ongoing collaboration on the ELC, we will continue to work with CSU to explain and interpret the mining and reclamation process. This will occur independently of the land -use approval process for the mine. • We have changed the conveyor location so that it is within the mine pit. As a result, the conveyor will be below the existing ground level and will not be visible from the ELC itself. The conveyor design is low to the ground and operates very quietly because it is powered by electricity. • Access to ELC staff will not be restricted. • Rules related to hunting, litter and public use will be strictly enforced for the public and for LaFarge employees. These rules will be part of the mining lease with LaFarge. • Natural Resources staff have worked with Dr. Haas to define the initial trail location referenced in the letter. We have modified the mine plan to reflect this, and added additional landscaping and fencing to address the concerns. 4. The following addresses the comments received from the Zoning Department: • No formal parking lot or storage area for heavy equipment is proposed. Anticipated equipment at the Resource Recovery Farm parcel includes 2 loaders, a feeder, and a conveyor. The feeder and conveyor are semi -portable structures, and are located on the pit floor in the current mine phase. During periods of the year when the pit is in operation, the loaders will be parked on the pit floor. When the pit is not actively operating, equipment will be moved to the East Rigden plant. • To protect the safety and welfare of the public, the mine parcel will not be open to the public prior to reclamation. • Most access to the site will be from the existing east Rigden mine and plant site. Occasional access will occur from the existing access roads around the perimeter of the site and between phases on the site. Except for access, heavy equipment operation will be entirely within the mine pit itself. • At the north end of the mine site, a landscaped screen is proposed to buffer the inter -agency visitor center planned at the adjacent CSU Environmental Learning Center (ELC) property. A public trail linkage is planned between the visitor center and the publicly owned properties west of the mine permit area. The trail will be located on a portion of the unimproved road that lies between the mine area and the visitor center. Landscaping and a buck and rail fence will be constructed at the commencement of Phase 1 mining (see revised Mine Plan, sheet. 4, Landscape Buffer detail, and Cross -Section). These will be permanent features. Upon commencement of mining in Phase 3, a three -strand smooth wire fence will be constructed adjacent to the landscaping near the public trail, and a berm, or overburden stockpile will be constructed. Both the smooth wire fence Resource Recovery Farts Sand an. Avel Mine PDPApplication —Response to Review Comments Page 2 Phase 3 mining and to accommodate CSU's request for a trail location along the existing access road.' 4. The Limit of Development have been remapped to include all areas where new development activities will occur. 5. The.,drawings have been revised to make them more readable. 6. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology has approved the mining and reclamation permit application. Responses to Comments 1. This item refers to the PDP process for this application. No response is required. 2. Both Mike Hart, project consultant; and I have spoken with Dr. Ravi Srivastava of Boxelder Sanitation District regarding the District's concerns. A letter addressing. his comments is attached. Briefly: • The mining operation will be setback from Boxelder's sewer lines and will not in any way change the conditions within the existing easement.. The actual location of the sewer lines and the setbacks will be staked in the field, with Boxelder's participation, prior to beginning mining. • Seepage from the mine pit will be pumped into Boxelder Creek, not the Poudre River, so no changes to streamflow in the creek will occur. • No changes in ground elevations will occur on the existing easements as a result of mining or reclamation activities. Dr. Srivastava has also raised additional concerns (letter attached) regarding the potential for increased erosion to occur adjacent to the Boxelder sewer lines during flood events as a result of the mining operation. We have reviewed this concern and do not believe the mining will result in any increased risk from what currently exists. Independently of this proposed mining project, we are collaborating now with Boxelder on a stream stability analysis of this reach of the Poudre River and will further evaluate this concern as part of this study. The study will be completed within the next six months. 3. I have met with Dr. Haas of the Colorado State Environmental Leaming Center and with Joe Maurier, Regional Director of Colorado Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation regarding this project. Both agencies support the proposed mining project. With regard to the specific issues raised in Dr. Haas' letter: • The impetus for this project is to avoid the mining of property that is currently part of the Environmental Learning Center. If this project does not go forward, the riparian corridor adjacent to the existing ELC, and the area immediately City of Fort Collins Comm_ _.ity Planning and Environmenta. ,ervices recycled paper Natural Resources Department 'S4'� NOV 3 0 1999 l DATE: MEMORANDUM November 23, 1999 TO: Steve Olt, Project Planner FROM: Tom Shoemaker, Natural Resources Directors RE: FC802 - Resource Recovery Farm Sand and Gravel Mine Project Development Plan (PDP) - Review Comments This memorandum responds to the review comments in your letter dated August 24, 1999 regarding the Resource Recovery Farm mine project. The memorandum summarizes changes to the plan since the original. submittal and provides a specific response to each comment contained in your letter. Changes to the Plan. This plan has not changed significantly from the original submittal. However, the following changes are highlighted for ease of reviewing the plan. The duration of the proposed sand and gravel operations has been reduced from a maximum of 10 years to 8 years, beginning in the year 2000. It is probable that the actual mining will occur over a shorter period of 4 to 5 years, however, we have allowed the extra period of time to account for uncertainties in the sand and gravel market and for completion of all reclamation activities. 2. The location of the conveyor system has been changed from the original proposal. The conveyor will still begin at the existing mining operation south of the Poudre River and extend across the river on the existing bridge. From there, it will directly cross the pond on the Environmental Learning Center and proceed directly into the mine pit. The conveyor will be placed on floats across the pond, so there will be no fill or other alteration to the pond or its banks. CSU has given their permission for this change. This change is made to reduce costs and also to place the conveyor within the mine pit, instead of on the existing access road. This will reduce its visibility and any concerns regarding noise from the adjacent property. 3. We have added additional berming and landscaping at the north end of the project adjacent to the CSU Environmental Learning Center to further reduce visibility of the 281 N. College Ave. • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 • FAX (970) 224-6177