Geological Source Report

The Geological Source Report (GSR) shall include a review and summary of existing geologic information and data, results of field assessment and exploration, and field and laboratory testing of rock and soil to characterize the site conditions as pertinent to the possible presence of sulfidic minerals in the bedrock or overburden at the site.

The report shall contain pertinent geological information and interpretation regarding geologic materials, processes, and history to allow evaluation of determining if materials would produce suitable aggregates for concrete and shall be conducted not more than 60 days prior to the date of the GSR. This includes testing results for face aggregates for sulfur content and presence of framboidal pyrite and pyrrhotite; a description of the characteristics of the aggregate to be excavated at the site location; a description of the material aggregates to be produced at the site location.

Any geological coordinates listed in this report shall use World Geodetic System (WGS84) formatting. All geological coordinates shall include at a minimum 6 decimal digits right of the decimal point. Descriptions shall be written in a manner understandable to the client and the reviewer.

At a minimum, the GSR cover page shall report the following items.

1. Prepared By. The following items shall be reported on the GSR cover page:
   1. The full name(s) of the certified, licensed, or qualified (acceptable to the State Geologist) professional geologist(s) preparing the GSR;
   2. The name of the certifying or licensing governing body of the professional geologist(s) preparing the GSR;
   3. The address of the person(s) or entity(ies) preparing the GSR.
2. Prepared For. The following items shall be reported on the GSR cover page
   1. The company name and address requesting the GSR;
   2. The name and location of the site where the survey was conducted; and
   3. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) ID number or an explanation of why an MSHA ID number is unavailable.
3. Date Document Prepared. The GSR cover page shall identify the month, day, and year when the report was finalized shall be reported.
4. Summary Test Results and Conclusions. The GSR cover page shall:
   1. Identify test methods conducted, corresponding results, and criteria;
   2. Summarize findings of tests completed;
   3. Include a statement about compliance with Chapter 6C of the General Laws, Section 79, and MassDOT regulations;
   4. The test result parameters required in the report are subject to evolving research. Requirements may change at any time deemed by MassDOT and the State Geologist.
      1. GSR Contents. At a minimum, the GSR shall report the following items.
         1. Regional Geology. The GSR shall include the following with respect to the regional geology of the extraction site:
            1. A summary of the regional geology, including a clear, concise, and readable general description of relevant regional geologic history in the area;
            2. Relevant references of previous geologic work conducted in the region shall be included;
            3. The extent to which sulfide minerals are present in the regional bedrock;
            4. A location map shall be included to show regional context.
            5. A clear color photograph of the relevant surficial or bedrock geologic map that encompasses the site, including a map legend and short description of the mapped rock units.
         2. Site Geology. The GSR shall include the following with respect to the geology of the extraction site:
            1. A summary of the site geology, including a clear, concise, and readable general description of the site;
            2. A report describing sample date(s), location, size of area investigated, and general site setting;
            3. A detailed description of site geology, soil and rock descriptions and classifications, including where sand and gravel is being quarried or where rock was sourced for crushed rock, and other pertinent information;
            4. A geologic cross section of site that shows stratigraphic relationships
            5. Logs of subsurface explorations, rock cores, and sampled material data shall be reported;
            6. Figures of soil logs, rock cores, and material samples shall be referenced where applicable
            7. Detailed site-specific geological description of source material;
            8. A detailed description of crushed stone geologic units covered in drilled cores, drill cuttings, or exposed quarry faces may be used for identifying site geology and shall be described in detail;
            9. A report of any sand and gravel operations’ mode of deposition (e.g., kame, outwash, delta) and glacial history shall be reported;
            10. A list of material aggregates that are being produced or processed from the site ;
            11. A report of all material sample locations accurately located on an area map;
            12. A report of all material sample locations, using WGS84 decimal degree formatting;
            13. A site map containing site surficial and bedrock geology, as well as a recent map showing topographic elevation data;
            14. Engineering geologic maps of the area, prepared at a scale that shows sufficient detail to adequately define the geologic conditions present;
            15. Photos of the site, operation, pit walls or quarry face, and panoramic views;
            16. Any other photographs or images of the site as needed to support written descriptions;
            17. A caption for each submitted photograph that includes the date of the photo, the approximate location where the image was captured (either WGS84 coordinates or reference to the site map), and the orientation of the photo. For example: “Photo X: the image was captured on [insert date] from the east end of the main excavation facing north”;
            18. For all geologic descriptions, detailed lithology of each rock type in the underlying bedrock and relevant bedrock source units for natural sand and gravel deposits, including the color and grain size as appropriate. Distinct lithologies cannot be lumped and must be separated for the report;   
            19. All drill holes or exposed quarry faces used for identifying geology located by survey, including their locations, total depths, collar elevations, and years drilled shall be reported;
            20. Core holes shall penetrate at least 5 feet below the proposed operating horizon. In stratified or layered rock, drill holes should intersect all strata, or layers, that will be quarried. Holes may be vertical, horizontal, or at any angle to meet this requirement. Core orientation, terminal depth or length, and diameter shall be determined by the quarry operator in consultation with a professional geologist to provide enough material for lithologic identification. Cores shall be protected from the environment and sealed within 24 hours of coring. If, in the opinion of the Aggregate Manufacturer’s geologist and State Geologist, the structural and stratigraphic continuity permits, the drill holes may be located up to 1000 feet apart.  Operations shall be limited to a maximum radius of 250 feet beyond the farthest drill hole or exposed quarry faces used for identifying geology in any direction. New cores shall be drilled and analyzed whenever the proposed quarrying will extend beyond the area or depth covered by existing cores, i.e. when the operation is to be extended more than 250 feet beyond the farthest drill hole or when strata are to be quarried that have not been intersected previously. The sampled cores used for the site geology determination shall be adequately sealed, identified, and stored at the Aggregate Manufacturer’s facility. For natural aggregates (natural sand and gravel), representative field samples shall be obtained and sealed, to conduct the analyses identified in this section. Sampling for natural aggregates shall meet the same geolocating and maximum spacing requirements previously identified herein. Analyses shall be conducted on each sieve size (4 inches to no. 200 sieve).
         3. Testing Results. Results and information produced from the sampling, testing, and examination for total sulfur, pyrrhotite, and framboidal pyrite shall be detailed in the GSR and submitted annually with each license or renewal application, including, without limitation:
            1. Laboratory test results presented and interpreted by the preparer, including:
               1. A description of each test performed and an analysis of results; and
               2. A list of the name of the laboratory that conducted testing.
               3. The name of the independent laboratory conducting the testing and examination shall be identified on the test report form and in the GSR.  Results shall be submitted with each application.
            2. Such additional information as MassDOT may request in consultation with the State Geologist to ensure adequate testing and analysis.
         4. Report Limitation. The section shall include a statement regarding the limits of the intended use of the report, including scope and extent, and shall restate any additional needs beyond the stated scope of work.
         5. Declaration and Signature. All finalized reports must be signed and stamped by the professional geologist who prepared the report. Any supporting documents prepared by sub-consultants shall be signed and dated.  The report shall be prepared by a certified professional geologist, licensed professional geologist or an equivalent acceptable to the State Geologist.
         6. Qualifications of any geologist conducting sampling, testing, or examination or preparing the GSR shall be included as an attachment to the final report.  Qualifications shall include years of experience, type of work experience such as geologic mapping, rock identification, petrographic analysis, laboratory experience, and familiarity with ASTM specifications and testing procedures.
         7. References Cited. Any references cited for use in preparing the Geologic Source Report shall be noted in this section. This includes any literature, maps, records, photographs, images, and other data sources.
         8. Appendix A Figures. Any figures used for generating the report shall be presented in this section.
         9. Appendix B Laboratory Test Results. Results of all laboratory tests conducted for this report shall be attached in this section.
         10. Appendix C Professional Geologist Equivalent Qualifications. Qualifications shall include years of experience, type of work experience such as geologic mapping, rock identification, petrographic analysis, laboratory experience, and familiarity with ASTM specifications and testing procedures.