Chairmans Report (Zeke Ward)
CDMG will be offering a course for free of charge to six or more people to learn safety
procedures for working underground. Zeke says we shouldn’t have any problem finding
at least six people that would be interested in taking this course. Dave Suhr says the
licence lasts for one year after which a short refresher course of 8 hours is required on
a yearly basis.Glen spoke of the grant proposal for doing underground mapping &
reconnaissance on the Amethyst and Holy Moses veins. The proposal was for just over
$25,000 and would include four phases... 1) An initial rough reconnaissance and water
field parameters measurements & establishment of sample sites. 2) A program for
thorough water testing. 3) A precise mapping and determining of underground elevations
(connecting to outside USGS monuments) 4) A report of access areas to the Nelson workings
and what construction if any, is needed for next year.
Glen asked Kathleen that if we don’t get the above mentioned grant, could we use
some of our 319 money to do the inexpensive phase 1 reconnaissance? Kathleen said that if
it is part of our overall characterization plans then it could be used. Zeke pointed out
that since our surface water investigations have identified that 60% or so of our problem
comes from one source (the Nelson adit) that we need to make this a priority within our
characterization program and allocate money as necessary.
Flow Measurements on the Solomon
Bob Kirkham has concluded that we can get a parshall flume installed at the mouth of the
Solomon adit for under $1,000. We just finished (about an hour ago) a recon of the adit
opening and Bob was happy with conditions there and thinks we should be able to install
something that works well. Glen spoke that it is very important that we fix the Solomon
because since West Willow is so bad below the Nelson, we may never be able to establish a
viable fishery but we can for sure have a sustainable fishery in East Willow if we fix the
Solomon.
Airport Corner Land
Mr. Parker has offered to donate some of the land near airport corner to the county or
city. The question of liability must be addressed since much of land may be contaminated
with tailings. The city & county would like this land for several reasons i.e., for a
water-sewer line to Creede Haven and a possible county fair grounds. We are in the process
of working with CDPHE within their "Voluntary Cleanup Program."Also, the Army
Corps has indicated that this area may work with their RAMS authority. There will need to
be a characterization program to identify contamination sources and then a program to
isolate or remove these contaminants.
John Howard asked about the data that Mr. Parker has already obtained about
contamination. The good news is that even though there are high concentrations of arsenic
and zinc, they are very near the surface.
Glen asked about what we could do to get the ball rolling very quickly about the 17
acres on the east side of the road that the fairgrounds committee is interested in. Mike
Wireman said we need to first focus on that 17 acres but that we will still need to do a
systematic approach to characterizing the whole thing including groundwater influence.
Zeke stated that we first need to determine if this if a worthwhile goal for the
committee to engage in and if it can be naturally incorporated into our overall
objectives. Zeke said that from conversations with Mr. Parker that it appears he is
willing to give everything on the east side of airport road to the city or county and that
after contamination investigations, he could decide how much (if any) he might be willing
to donate on the west side of the road.
John Howard made a motion that the WCRC get involved with this project and that the TAC
committee take the lead on producing a program that would decide what needs done as far as
characterization activities are concerned. Several people seconded and everyone was in
favor.
Re-vegetation program
Marvin Reynolds spoke about the re-veg meeting that was held in March. We are looking at
expanding our test plots and trying some different amendment regimes, maybe the use
bio-solids, and a combination of other treatments.
We will be cutting several different sub-species of willows near the Rio Grande on the
24th of April and then on the 25th we plan to get a crew together
and plant them in different soil conditions on the upper floodplain. Creede Resources is
financing the event.
High Flow Sampling Event
Zeke spoke of the importance of narrowing the window of sampling activities each day so we
are getting roughly the same flow volumes. There is likely to be a big difference in flow
between early morning and late evening.
It is clear that the WCRC needs to have all the equipment on hand, all the time so that
an episodic event can be sampled at a moments notice. This will require a multi-parameter
meter. As far as our May High Flow event, Bill Schroeder of the EPA will furnish these
meters for two teams.
Rex Sheppard motioned that we move quickly on getting whatever equipment we need before
the May 3rd meeting so that no time is wasted. This includes equipment for
episodic events up to the amount of $2,000 (not including general supplies for the high
flow event which should not exceed $1,000). Many seconded and all were in favor.
Mike Wireman commended the committee for having the foresight to make these episodic
events an integral part of our characterization program and preparing for them well in
advance.
September 1999 Biological Sampling Report (Laura Coppock)
Few fish were found in main-stem Willow. Also, few fish were found from the East-West
Willow confluence up West Willow to the Amethyst. East Willow had a healthy population for
its entire distance as well as West Willow above the Amethyst.
Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddisflies were detected as expected in the same areas where
fish were prevalent. Mayflies are the most intolerant species of metals contaminated
water. Stoneflies are moderately tolerant of metals. Some sub-species of Caddisflies are
very tolerant of metals conditions and will have a tendency to proliferate in these
waters. They are sometimes used as an indicator of water quality.
Water quality below the Solomon could affect trout populations given an episodic event
where metals content increased above the 200 ppb point. Also, as JB pointed out, an influx
of clean water can cause fish to rapidly un-acclimate to high metals conditions and then
if things return quickly to a "normal" 200 ppb of zinc, there could be a fish
kill. It is agreed that this volatile condition on East Willow Creek below the Solomon is
where the WCRC needs to address a major part of its reclamation effort. Areas above the
Solomon appear to be in great shape.
Almost all fish are Brook trout with the odd Brown trout in the mix. Brook trout are
more tolerant of metals than other species.
We will not do a fish count during our May High Flow sampling event. We will again be
sampling for macro-invertebrates at the same sites as last September because it has been
shown in other areas that fluctuations due to seasonal differences can be significant.
Laura pointed out that we obtained good data at our September Low Flow event but that this
was just one sampling at one time and that as we continue through our characterization
process, a clearer picture concerning the biological health of all portions of the creek
will steadily develop.
Photocopies of this fish and macroinvertebrate data will be available at the next
meeting.
Meeting adjourned shortly after 3:30 PM
Minutes submitted by: Approved and accepted:
_________________________
__________________________
Glen Miller
Zeke Ward
Project Watershed Coordinator
Chairman
Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 3rd at 1:00 PM at the
Creede Town Hall.
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