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WCRC Minutes September 4, 2002
Intro of members: Jim Matush, Creede; JB Alexander, Creede; Erik Sandvik, Creede; Leigh Ann Vradenburg, Watershed Coordinator; Mark Walker, CDPHE; Zeke Ward, Chairman WCRC; Kelley Thompson, AgroEngineering; Frank Bassett, Creede; Don Gant, Creede; BJ Myers, Mayor of Creede; Steve Renner, CDMG; Jim Herron, CDMG; Al Cox, Homestake; Marvin Reynolds, CSU Coop. Ext.; Jim Mietz, SLV RC&D; George Slovensky, MWE; Ron McLaughlin, MWE; Brian Hyde, CWCB; Peter Ismert, EPA; Jerry Rowe, Water Management Consultants; Dave Ott, Water Management Consultants; Joe Burkett, Creede..
Approval of minutes: No corrections to the August minutes were suggested or submitted. Motion to approve the August minutes was made by JB Alexander; second made by Mark Walker. Motion carried.
Additions/corrections to the agenda: Item E was added under Old Business to discuss Airport Corner. Item D under Old Business, Underground sampling, was postponed until the October meeting.
In-Kind: Forms were provided 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.
Coordinator’s report:
Leigh Ann informed the committee that the present amount of In-Kind Match for the current 319 grant was $26,999.
The Rio Grande recon to determine the source of zinc between La Garita Bridge and the 4UR Bridge was carried out on 8/20/02. Workers were Leigh Ann, JB Alexander, Don Gant, Jim Matush, and Erik Sandvik. The data had not been received as of meeting time.
The waste pile samplings of the hot spots, Happy Thought, and Last Chance were conducted on 8/16/02 by Jim Matush, Les Dobson, and Leigh Ann. The data had not been received as of meeting time.
Leigh Ann indicated that she would not have a draft of the final characterization report ready in September, and she asked the basis behind this date. Zeke said that the date had originally been set so that the report could be used to write grants for the 2003/2004 funding cycles. He further stated that because our funding from 319 and Forest Service had been delayed this year, the report no longer had to be complete in September. Leigh Ann believed that there would be a benefit to the committee if she were able to do the remainder of the reporting herself. Motion to adopt the new schedule of completing a draft of the final characterization report by the end of January made by Steve Renner; second by Jim Herron. Motion carried. Leigh Ann further requested review of the documents she produced, and Mark Walker indicated that he would be interested in the Waste Pile Report when it was ready.
Old business:
Geophysics: Mark Walker summarized the discussions of the TAC regarding the purpose of the wells to be installed by USACE. The TAC believed that the wells would best be used to determine the flux of metals through the plume of contaminated groundwater that is adjacent to the Emperious Tailings Pile. We will be able to use this data to compare potential loading of the plume to the load in Willow Creek. Jim Herron said that the committee would have to look further into the methodology of measuring groundwater flow. Zeke said that a subcommittee consisting of Bob Kirkham, Mark Walker, Scott Randall, and Leigh Ann Vradenburg would make the final decisions regarding evaluation of the geophysical reports and well placement. Motion to approve the subcommittee of Bob, Mark, Scott, and Leigh Ann made by Jim Herron; second by Steve Renner. Motion carried.
Jerry Rowe suggested that we could put the wells in an area where tailings might be, because the auger would allow collection of a soil sample. He said that we could at least collect several samples, even if we do not analyze all of them. Mark suggested taking samples every two feet.
Solomon: Leigh Ann said that she had spoken with Dan Brennecke about the Solomon wetlands, and he indicated that the scientists from MFG/ Sheppard Miller were working on getting data from one of their wetland projects at the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex in Lincoln, Montana. Zeke said that we still need to push for the Good Samaritan Amendment to the Clean Water Act.
Airport Corner: Mark Walker said that no dirt would be moved on the Airport Corner property this year, because the economics did not work out. John Parker still plans to do it in the future when things work out. He will move forward with the land donation for the equestrian center.
New Business
Approval for Kirkham’s time: Leigh Ann read the letter that she had drafted for the Colorado Geological Survey agreeing to compensate them for Bob Kirkham’s time on the Willow Creek project through his retirement in December, 2002. Motion to approve the continued contractual agreement with Bob Kirkham made by JB Alexander; second by Erik Sandvik. Motion carried.
Update on the Homestake plans: Jerry Rowe gave a brief overview of the reclamation plans for the 9700 and 9360 waste piles. They will install a pipe through the dump to contain approximately a 5-year flood event. They will construct a channel on top of the pile that has a membrane liner and riprap. Soil cover will be placed on the 9700 and on some parts of the 9360. During the TAC meeting, these items were discussed and the Forest Service had a few more comments. Homestake wants to begin the work at the end of September or the beginning of October, and it is anticipated to take 6 to 8 weeks.
Zeke thanked Homestake for their patience and cooperation, and Al Cox said that he has appreciated the committee’s review efforts. Zeke asked what Homestake’s plans were for monitoring. Al said that they would try to come within the range of the water quality standards for agricultural use. They will be doing intensive monitoring the first year after reclamation. In the future, the Zeke and Al will discuss the possibility of WCRC taking over the Creede formation well at the 9360.
AgroEngineering: Kelley Thompson drew up some rough estimates for power generation at the Commodore site. Zeke said if that were ever implemented, the money could be used for operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant.
BJ Myers said that the city was letting the bid that evening for water and sewer in North Creede. The city wants to keep in touch with WCRC concerning the culvert in North Creede so that the job only has to be done once. Upon review of Kelley’s Tec Memo 2, Zeke said that the 50-year option looked like the best deal for the North Creede site. The mayor said that in the original agreement, the landowner would pay for the culvert and the city and county would provide the work. Zeke said that if we use the 50-year design, then we might have to see what portion the landowner can contribute and what we can get from other sources. Leigh Ann will look into other funding sources.
The committee prioritized their flood control efforts as follows: 1. Commodore site- because it could be the most catastrophic 2. North Creede- because the work needs to be done soon 3. Windy Gulch- because we have uncertainties about the flood potential and it could threaten the town. 4. Amethyst site 5. Mining Museum 6. Others
Kelly will have his final report by the next meeting. Zeke said that once we have the final report, we can decide how to proceed. Leigh Ann will look into GOCO options.
Eric Twitty Inventory of Settlement Sites: Leigh Ann recounted Eric’s plans for creating a complete inventory of the Creede Mining District by doing an inventory of the settlement sites, which he estimates at $22,000. The State Historical Fund might be interested in providing some funding for this effort since it will complete the history. Leigh Ann said that the problem would be finding the matching funding. JB suggested the Creede Historical Society. Jim Mietz suggested the Rural Community Assistance Fund. Zeke said that the effort would be worthwhile because we may be able to get some sites listed on the state or national register. Zeke asked Jim Mietz if the SLV RC&D could pursue funding sources for the match. Jim indicated that it might be possible if Eric wrote the grant proposal.
Final Items:
The next meeting will be October 2, 2002.
Meeting Adjourned 4:50 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Leigh Ann Vradenburg |