Chairman's Report
Zeke spoke of the potluck dinner. We need to disseminate information to the public, have a
sign in sheet, and have a questionnaire to learn more about what the public thinks about
various committee activities. We need to come up with a list of questions. Zeke spoke of
an earlier survey whereby it was determined that we wished to proceed as a stakeholders
group and not as a superfund site. Glen asked if an appropriate question would be if it
is important to people that we save the taxpayers money by doing things more efficiently
than traditional superfund programs. Zeke voiced that it is a difficult question that
requires a bunch of explanation. It has been previously determined by the committee
that... efficient reclamation activities are a top priority, turning Willow Creek into a
first class fishery at any cost is not necessarily a top priority, but protecting the Rio
Grande from fish kills is a priority. Rex Sheppard advised that we ask questions in a way
that is educational. Steve Russell advised that we leave some room for comment. Zeke
advised that Glen put together a draft of a half a dozen questions tied to our existing
goals.
Discussion of Train Issues.
Ron Askew speaks... The State of Colorado has declared it is legal owner of section 36?
and section 16 in Mineral County. Don Shank has been notified that this property is not
necessarily open for them to have a right-a-way through. Ron said that they have notified
??? that they have agreed to buy the entire line for the price Don agreed to pay and
donate all, from mile marker 318 up to the town of Creede +/- 440 yards to the WCRC, the
town of Creede or Mineral County so their group won’t have to get involved in any EPA
pollution issues. They are also contemplating donating other land to the Forest Service,
State Parks, or Colorado Dept. of Wildlife.
Zeke spoke that it has been pointed out in other meetings that the land under
discussion as well as the Hecla land go to public use and not to commercial development.
Ron Askew’s group, the WCRC, and the Town of Creede seem to agree on all issues
and the pieces involving a resolution to the train issue are rapidly falling into place.
Zeke says he is working in three different ways to get one very important question
answered and the question is... Could the town of Creede come under any CIRCLA liability
by obtaining the land in question?
Diana Hammer of the EPA says that she believes there is some type of legal protection
for local governments when it comes to CIRCLA issues. She offered to have someone from the
EPA legal office come and teach a CIRCLA liability type of 101 course. Chuck Barnes spoke
of the Hecla land donation and says that what is holding up this donation is working with
the EPA to determine their liability.
Hecla never caused any pollution but are the third owner away from a company that did.
Chuck voiced that the Hecla donation should go through if the EPA’s
requirements are livable.
Zeke spoke of all the news regarding the train issue as being good. The committee gave
a round of applause.
Coordinator's Report
A) Glen got a letter from Steve Vandiver concerning the gaging station. They are
willing to keep it going but don’t have the money to keep a permanent record. Mr.
Vandiver advised that Perry Alspaugh work with others of the committee and do this
ourselves. Steve Russell offered to provide help from his department. He will research
into what is necessary.
B) The museum maps have been photocopied. Phil Bethve said he has access to other maps
that we could use. Zeke advised that we write a thank-you letter to Bruce Stover for
getting the maps photocopied and for all the other work he has done for the committee.
Chuck Barnes made a motion that we send a letter. Numerous people seconded and all were in
favor.
As soon as we get the raw data from our water sampling event, we will make a database.
Barb Horn acquired a copy of Dbase for us. It is hoped that Rob Benson of Adams State will
advise us in this matter. It is also hoped that Dr. Novotney of Adams State will become
more involved in the committee.
Glen pointed out the importance when it comes to obtaining grant funding, is the
overall reputation of the committee for enthusiasm and competence. It seems that we have
an excellent reputation and it is growing. Zeke said that we must also make sure to be
fiscally responsible at all times.
C) There is a watershed group Coordinator’s meeting in Frisco on the 17th.
Chuck Barnes moved that the committee pay for Glen to go to this meeting. Many seconded
and all were in favor. Diana spoke of an EPA sponsored watershed group meeting in the
spring that Glen should also attend.
D) Glen spoke of the importance of everyone keeping track of their "in kind"
donations. This is all going to be posted on the Web.
MFG has nearly gone through the $108,700 of their contract with the WCRC. Glen advised
that we, in the future, work in accordance with CDPHE guidelines and make all contracted
work be written down into specific tasks, with a specific deliverable product, at an exact
price, to be accomplished by an exact time. In this way the committee will have more
control over the situation and will be in a position to be more fiscally responsible.
Glen pointed out that MFG has done a lot of "in kind" work for free and that
Frank Sanders came to the meeting at Adams State last Saturday at no charge to the
committee.
Zeke spoke of the fact that things have been somewhat in a rush and we have been
playing catch up, but that we are catching up. The original goal of the Committee
was to keep this area from becoming a superfund site and from that point we have slowly
developed a picture of what we want Willow Creek to look like. We have been progressing in
layers and we now need to detail everything into specific manageable and efficient tasks.
The committee voiced concerns about hiring local contractors as much as possible for
work, in particular at the Commodore, even and maybe especially if it involves low tech,
efficient, and inexpensive equipment and methods.
E) Zeke spoke of our developing a lab of our own for quick sample analysis. JB was not
there to comment, but he is heading this project. The lab is to be housed at the fish
hatchery.
TAC Committee Solomon Wetland Report by John Howard
John spoke of the meeting at Adams State with himself, Bob Kirkham, Frank Sanders,
Frank Novotney, Rob Benson, and Glen Miller. The meeting established what data we have and
where it is at and what we can do to get it all together so everyone can view it. A
tentative meeting schedule over the winter for the TAC committee regarding the wetlands
was established. Frank Sanders went over an idea that he has for a potential reclamation
project.
Diana Hammer on behalf of the EPA publically acknowledged and thanked the Colorado
Department of Wildlife for stepping up and handling the samples when it turned out that
the EPA lab could not help.
Zeke pointed out that a letter of thanks and support to the DOW is in the works.
Meeting adjourned shortly before 2:30 PM
Minutes submitted by: Approved and accepted:
_________________________
__________________________
Glen Miller
Zeke Ward
Project Watershed Coordinator
Chairman
Next meeting is scheduled for December 1st at 1:00 PM at the Creede Town
Hall.
Things to be discussed are...
The finished Sampling and Analysis Plan, Report by Mike Wireman about tracer studies,
Prospective Purchaser Agreements (the Hecla donation), and more.
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