Permitting & Regulatory Oversight

Permitting for Project Approval 

Before any quarrying can begin, Larimer County must undergo a thorough review and permitting process with State and County agencies. The purpose of the permitting process is to balance the need for aggregate extraction with the protection of public health, safety, and the environment, and to ensure the land is reclaimed after the Project is complete. This includes review and analysis of the following information:

  • Overall Project and operational details
  • Mining Plan
  • Reclamation Plan
  • demonstration that the Project meets standards related to environmental protection, land use planning, operations, and reclamation. 

The primary permits needed are 

  1. 110 Construction Material Limited Impact Operation Permit from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS). This permit is specific to small operations, with an area of disturbance less than 10 acres.

  2. Location & Extent Procedure with Larimer County Planning Department & Planning Commission.

Both processes include a review by other County, State, and Federal agencies, as well as opportunities for public comment.

 

Graphic of permitting process #1 application to Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety and Larimer County Planning. Review by other Larimer County, state and federal agencies. Decision by Colorado Office of Mined Land Reclamation and Larimer County Planning Commission.

 

After the primary approvals are obtained from CDRMS and Larimer County Planning Department, the Project then undergoes a more detailed site review through the Larimer County Site Plan Review process and applications for other site-specific construction permits. The Site Plan Review procedure is intended to ensure compliance with the development and design standards of the  Larimer County Land Use Code. 

A Stormwater Discharge Permit is also required to ensure that sediment and stormwater are controlled at the site. Discharge Permits are regulated by Colorado from the Colorado Department of Health & Environment, Water Quality Control Division.

Other permits may be required after agency reviews of the project.

 

Operational Oversight & Safety

The site will be fenced and locked, and site activities will be regulated by the Colorado Division of Reclamation & Mining and the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations. 

 

Emblem of U.S. Department of Labor MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

 
Emblem of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
  • Develops and enforces safety and health rules for all US mines regardless of size, number of employees, material mined, or method of mining.
  • Ensures compliance with permit requirements, statutory standards and regulatory rules.
  • Regulates site activities, visitors to the site, required safety training, health and safety inspections, and other aspects of site activity.