Introduction of members and Misc. business (Chairman Zeke Ward)
Glen Miller-CDPHE Mine Safety Course will be held August 9-11. Need 6 attendees in
order to qualify for free class. All interested are welcome. WCRC will provide one
night’s lodging for the instructor.XRF and Trailings pile characterization
David Gregory – Characterization of area with sophisticated reader called the XRF
will be an opportunity for the continued education of tech committee. Army Corps will foot
the bill for characterization. Suggested that they should collect the samples first and
make maps of the area. Les will take digital photos of files. Are these segregated in any
way with regard to the type of materials? Is there someone who knows enough about the
milling, so they can help decide what is what?
Mike Wireman said he would then put together materials so that the end report would be
organized.
Zeke Ward suggested Sam Gray, Gerald Schlough, or Mac Roeber. He also clarified
that they would only be looking for the presence of elements not necessarily the quantity
of those elements.
David Gregory says that the XRF is not necessarily dependable data in itself but a
comparison level with which to start. Discussed permission of property owners to access
test areas.
Glen Miller- Riverwatch lab is finished running samples for May big
event . Barb Horn has data and will be compiling results and will fax to Glen upon
completion of report.
Bob Kirkham and Bruce Stover are working in the Solomon. Phase 1
will be almost done today. The tunnel went back 3,000 ft. and is in good shape. He
estimated that there is about 15 gallons a minute coming out of tunnel, consisting of
about 10 gallons a minute fresh water and 5 gallons a minute of contaminated flow. This,
of course is just an initial estimate.
Mike Wireman-Willow Creek has received a Clean Water Act grant for
$21,000 (signed sealed and delivered). Money may be available in a month. Need to access
the Nelson to see if they can get in to work. This money will be used to determine
accessibility. If promising, then chances are 90% that there would be more funds available
to finish the work the following year. Step 2 would be a full-blown study of the Nelson
Tunnel. Zeke mentioned that Ish Stewart was the last one to work in that tunnel and
suggested the Stephen Wardell approach Mr. Stewart to obtain information on the condition
of the tunnel.
Contract Assistance
Glen Miller- is having trouble staying on top of all projects and would like for hire
contract labor to take on certain aspects on an as needed basis. Les Dobson contributed
$6,000 and CDPHE may make a contribution to bring that to $15,000.
Proposed Contractors would be Lindsay Fox for grant writing and Dawn
Ward for miscellaneous projects and office support. The pay would be $15.00 an hour. Zeke
excused himself from discussion due to conflict of interest (Mrs.Ward is his wife).
Chuck Barnes moved to approve an expenditure of up to $14,984 dollars
toward contract help for this next year. Jim Mietz seconded and all were in favor.
Hecla (Dave Suhr replacement) – Railroad-etc:
Glen said Pete Magee will be doing some mapping and would donate up to $3,000 in-kind.
Glen told him they would be willing to pay some as well.
Sandra Wright- Major Hecla shake up and change in personnel. Dave
Holland will be replacing Dave Suhr.
Zeke said that maybe they should consider the mill property since the
PPA (prospective purchaser agreement) may not go through.
Glen said that he and BJ Myers walked the cement flume down the
railroad? Don Shank has stirred up quite a mess and could possibly cause a problem in the
water where WCRC is sampling. He has taken a chunk out of the Emperious mine tailings in
what appears to be beyond his 50 ft. right of way.
Zeke said Shank and Union Pacific have not shown any willingness to
work with WCRC. However, JB has a letter from Mr. Shank stating his willingness to work
with WCRC.
Sandra has notified Hecla that Mr. Shank is digging in the tailings.
Ron Askew says there is a 2 part violation by Shank and the State Land Board needs to be
made aware.
Shank needs to be contacted. Zeke Ward will call him. It was proposed
that letters to Mr. Shank, Hecla , and Union Pacific be drafted with copies to all
concerned parties, addressing this issue. Zeke will generate these letters pending his
meeting with Mr. Shank. Prior to being sent they will be approved by Commissioners, City
of Creede and City attorney, Robin Crites.
Mike Wireman- Stream Tracing techniques… Bryant will be arriving
on Aug. 25. Measurements will be done on that Friday and Saturday. Sunday (West Willow),
Tuesday (East Willow) and Thursday (Below Trout Ponds) will be injections and Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday they will do synoptics. It will be about an eight-day process.
Bryant will not be bring his usual crew in order to save money, so volunteers will be
needed. JB will round up those volunteers. The purpose of this study is to gain
information on where there is significant ground water in streams plus accurate flow
calculations for creeks. This will result in an official USGS report. Tuesday, August 29,
there will be a Recon with Bryant Kimball and they will re-think the groundwater tracing
to be sure all bases have been covered.
Steve Russell- Drought is causing problems with last year’s
planting. This year’s planting is also of concern.
There will be a conference in Steamboat Springs called the National Abandoned Mine
Conference. It will be held on September 25, 26, 27. the registration fee is $150.00.
Suggested that Glen should attend.
319 Board presentation is scheduled for either September 18 or 19.
Participation Agreement from Forest Service was presented. Chuck Barnes motioned that
it be accepted, many seconded and all were in favor.
Zeke then signed the contract.
There will be no third sampling. The Stream Tracing will take the place of this.
Meeting adjourned shortly after 3:30 PM
Minutes submitted by: Approved and accepted:
_________________________
__________________________
Dawn Ward
Zeke Ward
(Coordinator Assistant)
(Chairman)
Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday September 6th at 1:00 PM
at the Creede Town Hall.
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