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WCRC Minutes May 1, 2002
Intro of members: Joe Burkett, Wason Ranch; Jim Matush, Creede; Steve Renner, CDMG; Mark Walker, CDPHE; Chris Williams, URS; Zeke Ward, WCRC Chairman, Brian Hyde, CWCB; Les Dobson, USFS; Don Gant, Creede and Trout Unlimited; Steve Russell, NRCS; JB Alexander, Creede; Henry Brink, Creede; Mike Wireman, USEPA; Chuck Barnes, Creede; Jesse Silverstein, Development Research Partners; Jim Herron, CDMG; Bob Kirkham, CGS; Jim Mietz, SLV RC&D Council; Dan Brennecke, Roy F. Weston; Mike Woodard, Creede; Eric Pease, USACE; Kelley Thompson, Agro Engineering; Leigh Ann Vradenburg, Watershed Coordinator.
Approval of minutes: No corrections to the April minutes were suggested. Motion to approve the April minutes made by J.B. Alexander; second made by Chuck Barnes. Motion carried.
Additions/corrections to the agenda: Zeke Ward suggested that the USGS would be available to sample the Rio Grande on Friday, May 3. Sites would be the bridge near Deep Creek, Wason Bridge, Phipps Bridge, and the 4UR Bridge. The cost would be around $2500 for 10 discreet samples across the stream at each site, with field parameters and Zn analyzed. Motion to approve the USGS sampling made by Chuck Barnes; second made by J.B. Alexander. Motion carried.
Steve Russell reminded everyone that tree planting in the floodplain will occur on May 7th, and that everyone will meet at 9:00am.
Mike Wireman mentioned that there will be a Hard Rock Mining Conference in Denver the week of May 6th.
Coordinator’s report: Leigh Ann Vradenburg asked that she be informed of all work being done in the field on behalf of the WCRC.
In-Kind: Forms were provided by email and in hard copy for volunteers to track time and other expenses. Leigh Ann encouraged monthly submission of these forms so that records could be kept current.
Presentation by Jesse Silverstein of Development Research Partners: Presentation of ideas for economic development.
Presentation by Dan Brennecke of Roy F. Weston: Discussion of the Weston proposal for a feasibility study for revitalization of the Solomon wetlands.
J.B. Alexander, Jim Herron, Mike Wireman, and Bob Kirkham presented questions regarding the fate of deposited zinc, the constraints of the system, and a mechanism for moving from the study into the work fairly easily. Dan Brennecke suggested that a conference call might be the best way for the informed parties to present their questions and information. Motion to approve the conference call made by Mark Walker; second made by Chuck Barnes. Motion carried. Leigh Ann will arrange the call, and the results will be discussed at the June meeting.
Old business:
Waste pile sampling: Jim Herron updated the committee about TAC discussions regarding the remaining details to be addressed before the sampling could be carried out: permission to access Happy Thought and Last Chance piles, inspection of samples retrieved from ACZ lab, and reconstruction of sampling procedures at the Commodore, Ridge, Solomon, and Park Regent sites.
Flood control and stream stability: Kelley Thompson brought 5 copies of the Agro Engineering report, “Upper Willow Creek Watershed Flood Control and Stream Stability Study”. Potential surface water mitigation projects were proposed. The motion for the TAC to review mitigation projects as a subcommittee with Agro Engineering and prioritize was made by J.B. Alexander; second by Chuck Barnes. Motion carried.
Brian Hyde offered his office to screen projects before we approach FEMA.
Geophysics: Zeke presented the opinions of Gareth Davies, that we should consider having both electromagnetic and natural potential surveys conducted in the floodplain; however, the additional cost might cut into funding for future well installations. Mark Walker indicated that Brownfields money could be available for future monitoring wells. Eric Pease indicated that USACE money could be used for wells. Mike Wireman said that this would be an excellent opportunity to do both methods and document the process. A subcommittee could evaluate the methods for accuracy and cost effectiveness. The motion to do both EM (with URS) and NP (with Art Lange) was made by Joe Burkett; second made by Chuck Barnes. Motion carried.
Underground: Zeke indicated the wages for Ken Wyley and Randy Malott as follows: topside (ice melting, bridge construction)- $25/hr; underground (mining, mucking, timbering)- $35/hr. Ken and Randy are providing their own insurance, and Zeke will confirm the adequacy of said insurance. Jim Herron said that those wages were reasonable, and that CDMG will sign off on completion and thoroughness of the work. Zeke said that a tugger purchase was not necessary at this time. Joe Burkett suggested that Hecla and/or Homestake should be approached for a tugger donation. Motion to continue work with Ken and Randy made by Jim Herron; second made by Steve Russell. Motion carried.
New Business
May 2002 Water Sampling:
Leigh Ann Vradenburg asked for volunteers to conduct the water sampling on May 2nd. Volunteers were Mark Walker, Les Dobson, Joe Burkett, Mike Wireman, J.B. Alexander, Bob Kirkham, Jim Matush, Don Gant, and Henry Brink. Volunteers will meet at City Hall at 8:00 am. USGS will do four Rio Grande sites and give splits to us for River Watch and splits to CDPHE.
USACE money:
Eric Pease indicated that USACE had $35,000 set aside for Willow Creek for this year. Possible projects include wells, waste rock and Emerious pile sampling, and potentially an audit of the characterization report. Money will not likely be available for flood control projects. Eric Pease will stay in contact with Jim Herron regarding this matter.
Final Items: The next meeting will be June 12, 2002.
Underground investigations will be conducted on June 13, 2002.
Meeting Adjourned 5:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Leigh Ann Vradenburg
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