HomeMy WebLinkAboutEngineer Observation Report 06.01.20203971 Bighorn Road #7L
Vail, CO 81657
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 471-1103
romeo@rbcivil.com
RB Civil, LLC 1
June 1, 2020
Andy Schwaller, Chief Building Official (sent via email: aschwaller@garfield-county.com)
Garfield County Building Division
Cc: Joe Gebhardt (jpg@huntercreekgroup.com)
Re: 16704 Highway 82 – Roaring Fork Ranch Grading Permit GRAD-12-17-5054
Dear Andy:
RB Civil LLC (RBC) is submitting this letter to you regarding the aforementioned project. It is my
understanding that Garfield County requires an updated evaluation of the project status and
construction to date. Specifically, I am providing you with documentation describing the latest
existing conditions and providing recommendations to the owner to continue grading permit
compliance.
I. Purpose
The Roaring Fork Ranch project referred to as the “Project” includes site grading and
irrigation ditch work located at 16704 Highway 82, approximately 0.7 miles east of Catherine
Store Road in Garfield County. RBC visited the site with Joe Gebhardt on Wednesday, May 27
as requested by the owner to evaluate existing conditions and report to Garfield County. The
owner, Joe Gebhardt and contractor, Travis Hughes of Hughes Excavating received the major
grading permit with conditions on December 14, 2017. RB Civil issued a letter to the County
dated 8-22-2019 directing the owner to address issues and maintain compliance with County
requirements.
II. Background
For convenience, RBC restates the following documents were reviewed as a basis for
compliance with the approved permit:
Garfield County Grading Permit GRAD 12-17-5054 16704 Highway 82 received from
Lindsey Krol email.
HCE Exhibits D-1 Site Grading Site Map and D-2 Site Grading Disturbance Map dated
10-19-2017
HCE Plans dated 10-30-2017
HCE Storm Water Management Plan dated 10-19-2017, revised 11-15-2017
III. Garfield County Correspondence
Romeo of RBC exchanged emails with Andy Schwaller, Garfield County Chief Building
Official, between 8-22 and 8-26-2019. In addition to RBC’s 8-22 letter, Romeo clarified the
following:
RFR-200601-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Monday, June 1, 2020
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com 2
In regards to the property lines and easements, RBC did not confirm the exact
horizontal layout of the work to date.
RBC estimated that 350,000 square feet or 8.0 acres has been disturbed to date,
with 30,000 cubic yards of material imported.
Andy stated that the bond was due to expire on December 10, 2019. Renewal will be for 8
acres for $2500/acre up from the 6 acres previously in place. Action items that need to
continue include:
Construction to date must be consistent with the permit conditions and approved
plans. Continued work activity must comply with the County grading permit and State
requirements.
The irrigation ditches and neighboring properties must be protected.
Erosion control needs to be addressed and maintained.
The Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) needs to be followed.
IV. Site Visit Observations and Recommendations
RBC’s site visit observations describe the information below. Romeo and Joe discussed
the existing conditions, construction activity, corrective action items, and long-term planning
for the Project. Proposed recommendations subsequent to our prior report are included
herein.
A. Grading Plan and Irrigation Plan
The owner indicated that True North performed a site visit to verify construction
progress relative to the design. Generally, the progress to date is estimated to be
approximately 50% complete. The findings below describe the existing conditions compared to
the design. The owner is responsible for verifying actual field conditions, excavation, and
placement of embankment.
1. Upper Pasture
Numerous trees are planted around the perimeter and will continue.
Approximately 5’ of fill remains to complete the infill.
2. Eastern Berm at Property Line
The berm extents are in place. Topsoil is placed and planting is in progress.
3. Middle Infill, Lower Pasture, and Nursery
A new well is installed between the Upper Pasture’s toe of slope and south of the
middle access road.
The berms south of the lower pasture are lower than designed. The windbreak
appears effective. Placement of topsoil is in progress.
Portions of the proposed nursery and irrigation installation are in progress.
Numerous trees are planted and will continue.
4. Sitewide and Miscellaneous Areas
Soil processing activity has ceased.
Materials continue to be sorted for boulders, concrete, and miscellaneous fill.
RFR-200601-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Monday, June 1, 2020
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com 3
Piles are staged in the middle area for topsoil, organic, and manure mixtures. Final
placement of stockpiles is underway and anticipated for current berm construction.
Grading of proposed landscape berms depends on construction sequence and will
continue as additional material is delivered, placed, and shaped. Landscaping will also
be completed based on the completion of berms which is dependent on market
demand and availability of material.
Implement erosion control BMPs including surface roughening, mulching, and
temporary seeding where appropriate.
B. Basin Irrigation Ditch
Work for the new irrigation improvements is postponed due to owner logistics.
A primitive access road is in place running parallel to the Basin Ditch and berms.
C. Erosion Control
Areas seeded in 2019 represent vegetative cover varying a wide range of
approximately 40%-80%.
Vehicle tracking control appeared satisfactory but must be reimplemented at the
upper pasture entry.
Vehicle tracking control at the middle entrance appeared satisfactory. This entrance
should be monitored closely for maintenance to ensure the mud control is effective.
Silt fence repairs around the Basin ditch were in progress during the 5-27 site visit.
Erosion controls were added before the weekend of 5-29 around the toe of upper
pasture to prevent sedimentation from overflowing to the middle entrance and
vehicle tracking control area.
Informal sediment traps/basins are located at low areas and inherent to toes of
slopes. Final grading and stabilization for drainage swales should implement grass
buffers and level spreading effect.
The owner indicated that a noxious weed survey/inspection is anticipated.
Dust control has been provided by water truck and mag chloride applications.
Surface roughening should be implemented at in-progress areas and in exposed areas
that are treated with mulch, seeding, or other BMPs.
Mulching with straw or mulch should be reapplied to cover bare areas using a
guideline of maximum 10 percent bare ground exposed.
Use temporary seeding to stabilize disturbed areas that will be inactive for an
extended period. Permanent seeding should be used to stabilize areas at final grade
that will not be otherwise stabilized.
D. SWMP
The owner and contractor need to comply with the stormwater management plan
with consideration of construction sequence and timing.
In reference to the SWMP, a reminder of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that
should be implemented are described below. Further reference material can be found
in the USDCM Volume 3 (Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual by Urban Drainage
and Flood Control District) for guidance in carrying out BMPs to minimize water
quality and quantity impacts from stormwater runoff.
RFR-200601-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Monday, June 1, 2020
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com 4
o Check dams (staked straw bales and straw logs) placed in drainage paths.
o During rough grading erosion control blankets or vegetation will be placed on
slopes of 2:1 or greater as shown on the grading plan)
o Final re-vegetation and landscaping commence and all necessary seeding for
final re-veg will be installed and BMP’s will be maintained until permanent
vegetation has taken hold.
o Sediment and mud shall be prevented from leaving the construction site by
installing vehicle tracking control pads.
Major soil disturbances will be seeded and mulched within seven (7) days after final
grade is reached or if areas have been exposed and inactive for more than forty-five
(45) days. In the interim condition, water trucks should be utilized onsite for the
duration of the construction period to minimize fugitive dust. Conditions of the
permit require that disturbed areas must be revegetated within 6 months.
Inspection and maintenance is required after any precipitation or snowmelt event.
The logbook needs to be kept up to date and retention of records is required. The
owner and contractor stated the logbook is being maintained.
Final stabilization should achieve erosion reduction, vegetative cover, and control
pollutants in stormwater discharges that occur after construction operations have
been completed at the site. After final stabilization is established in completed areas,
excess sediment and the erosion control measures should be removed.
V. Conclusion
The owner expressed he is on site to address corrective action items. The contractor
shall be responsible for maintaining safety and traffic control for the project. Access near the
project area must be provided to public and private roads while accommodating the
construction activity. Traffic control must be provided during hauling operations.
Construction activity for the grading permit will continue for the duration of the 10-year
permit with compliance with County requirements. The owner expressed optimism that the
earthwork progress is ahead of schedule. Utilities and other work in the approved plans will
resume upon the owner resolving logistical issues.
Long-term revegetation, landscaping, and tree planting is planned for future
completion. Improved aesthetics are expected from restoring the disturbed areas after final
completion.
RFR-200601-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Monday, June 1, 2020
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com 5
Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or need additional information about
the contents of this letter.
Sincerely,
RB Civil LLC
Romeo A. Baylosis, P.E.
Owner
rb