Chairmans Report (Zeke Ward)
Introductions, and discussion of high flow water sampling event scheduled for the 15th.
Cambrian Groundwater (Glen Miller)
Gareth Davies has found no sign of the Homestake Tracer injection. We grabbed samples to
test for the presence of this tracer several times from the Nelson Adit, lower West
Willow, Windy Gulch, and mainstem Willow. Gareth has provided a summary report of his fall
reconnaissance including cost breakdowns for any possible future work, as well as his
methodology etc. An interesting point in this report is his ability to date groundwater by
way of Tritium analysis. Tritium was introduced into the atmosphere by way of surface
atomic explosions in the 1950's and by analyzing its presence provides us with a dating
technique.
Willow Planting (Steve Russell)
On Monday the 24th of April, we planted two species of Willow that were found
near the vicinity, Drummond and Booth, as well as some Cottonwood that Marvin Reynolds
received from the Colorado Forest Service. We planted in two places, one fairly close to
the Wasson headgate and the other near our re-veg trial plantation on the Hecla property.
Steve listed the volunteers in addition to himself as being Marvin Reynolds, Glen,
Raida Knapp, Tim Oullette, Wendy Ackerman, and Laurie Clark. Denise Armstrong took
pictures.
Zeke pointed out that proper thanks is in order to Hecla for funding this and to all the
volunteers that took part.
John Parker Land near the airport (Zeke Ward)
John Parker has a paid for option on the Creede Mines property at airport corner.
Showing the map, Zeke pointed out the different portions of this land. There are roughly
29 acres in the Willow floodplain, 17 acres is on a bench above the floodplain and on the
east side of the road, etc. John has previously spoken that if he exercises his option in
regard to this land that he is considering giving portions of this acreage to either the
City or County for public use.
A committee in town is very interested in putting together an equestrian facility
and/or a county fairgrounds. So far the best area under review is the 17 acre bench.
To move this project forward, we need to characterize the property. Five samples were
taken by a consulting firm hired by John Parker that show contamination levels in what is
probably the most contaminated portion of the land. Samples were taken at different depths
and showed that nearly all the contamination is within the top six inches.
The contamination was caused many years ago (1902 -19teens) when a flume(ditch)
transported tailings from the Humphry Mill to this site. You can see on the photo where
this deposition took place.
The TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) has introduced a characterization plan as shown on
the map and we as a committee need to decide whether to move forward with this and if so
where we might get the money to finance it. John would probably be willing to come up with
4 or 5 hundred dollars. Volunteers could establish the sites and take the samples as well
as test for pH and conductivity parameters. When the lab work is completed, then Mr.
Parker can make whatever decisions he needs to make.
Mark Stromberg advised that if we move the soil we should get a TCLP test done which
indicates the ability of the contaminant to leach out into the environment.
Zeke spoke of several potential remediation options that may or may not involve moving the
soil. Recommendations for remediation would be tied to land use. Peter Ismert pointed out
that acceptable contamination standards are arrived at depending on land use plans.
Kathleen Reilly spoke of getting help from Mark Walker of the State Voluntary Cleanup
program in regards to characterizing this site and planning any future remediation.
Potential groundwater contamination is always a concern, but of the nearby well that was
tested at the same time the 5 samples were taken, no problem was found. There is little to
no surface water runoff in this area.
BJ Meyers motioned and Steve Russell seconded that we move ahead on this
characterization process. All were in favor.
Historical Characterization Report (Eric Twitty)
Eric documented the mining remains on the Amethyst vein in the summer and fall of 1999.
This was done now, so that should any remediation be required the historical
characterization will have been done. Sites were evaluated according to historical
significance and integrity of the site. Most areas that were evaluated are important
enough to be placed on National or State historic registers.
An important point is that all parts of an historic site relate to each other and you
can’t perform remediation on any part without affecting the whole.
Eric advises that because this is a highly unusual collection of mine sites that after
the historical characterization is completed on the Holy Moses vein, which is scheduled
for this summer, that we consider nominating the whole area as an historical district.
Zeke pointed out that at the very beginning of this committee that the objective was
reached, that we are not looking at minimal compliance to State Historical Standards but
are probably going to want to go well beyond that.
Peter advised that when we get to performing remediation on a site that we have a plan
in place to deal with the unearthing of any historic remains.
Commodore Report (Bruce Stover)
Bruce spoke of the survey work that is being done now at the Commodore to prepare for
installation of a new flume above the Commodore pipe. Bruce spoke some about the history
of this project and the need to stop the cribbing from caving in and plugging the pipe and
causing a large problem. Last year the county moved the tailings pile back and solved the
immediate problem. Now we are going to construct a permanent solution and hope to start
late in the fall of this year. We will need to have the State Historic Society sign off on
the construction plan. Because of the great job done by Eric this should go much smoother
than is normally the case. We will also want to get the Army Corp. guys up also to have a
look at it and give the proper permits.
Chuck Barnes asked how the Nelson Tunnel will tie into this construction project. Bruce
said they will channel the Nelson through a pipe and on into the main culvert and
construct things in such a way that if we ever want to get access into the Nelson, we will
be able to.
Eric Twitty asked Bruce if he was aware of any potential crib failure problems at the
Amethyst Mine? Bruce said he wasn’t but we can look into that in the near future.
Other CDMG guys in the area are looking for mine openings to prepare bid packages for
doing closure work in early 2001.
Les Dobson asked if the committee is concerning itself about the safety and environmental
issues involving mine closures that the Forest Service and CDMG are involved in.
Zeke spoke that we are definitely concerned about these safety issues and are willing
to be used as a resource involving all these activities, especially in the unlikely event
where a mine closure might affect the environment. Les spoke that they are only dealing
with physical hazards and Zeke talked of the importance that in the process of removing a
physical hazard that we try and improve the esthetics of the site as much as we reasonably
can.
Bruce spoke of how they address the bat issue and how they make sure that bats are not
shut into a closed tunnel.
Year 2000 sec. 319 contract (Kathleen Reilly)
Kathleen spoke that we are trying to write up a continuation contract instead of a
completely new one. She spoke of the necessity of writing up a new SAP (Sampling &
Analysis Plan) which was completed and submitted a week ago. Also, a new WRAS (Watershed
Restoration Action Strategy) must be submitted of which she is writing up herself for
committee approval. We are looking at this new continuation contract being signed in late
May.
Coordinator Contract and Salary (Zeke Ward)
Chuck Barnes motioned that we rehire Glen at the $35,000 per year contract. This was
seconded and all were in favor. This motion was amended to pro-rate this as a monthly
amount and to extend the contract two additional months until June 30th, 2001 to make
things work easier with State and Federal funding sources. This 14 month contract would
amount to $40,833.24 which is $2,916.66 * 14.
Nominations to TAC committee (Zeke Ward)
Chuck Barnes motioned that Roger Ortiz (USGS) and Jim Matush (retired chemical engineer)
be added to our TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) numerous people seconded and all were
in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 4:05 PM
Minutes submitted by: Approved and accepted:
_________________________
__________________________
Glen Miller
Zeke Ward
Project Watershed Coordinator
Chairman
Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday June 7th at 1:00 PM at
the Creede Town Hall.
Go to Top of Page
|
