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WCRC Minutes April 2, 2003
Intro of members: JB Alexander, Creede; Leigh Ann Vradenburg, Watershed Coordinator; Zeke Ward, Chairman WCRC; Jim Matush, Creede; Don Gant, Creede/Trout Unlimited; Jerry Rowe, Water Management Consultants; Mark Walker, CDPHE; Chuck Barnes, Creede.
Approval of minutes: Motion to approve the March minutes was made by JB Alexander; second made by Don Gant. Motion carried.
Additions/corrections to the agenda: A discussion of 104e letters was added under Old Business B. New business C. SAP approval was removed at the request of the TAC.
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 she would be notified about the National Forest Foundation grant this upcoming Friday, April 4. She reminded them that this was the proposal for PowerPoint equipment and funding for outreach activities.
Leigh Ann submitted all of the application materials for the El Pomar Foundation Award for Excellence. The WCRC was nominated for the Environment Award by 3 out of 12 panel members. Notifications will go out in mid-August.
A new grant, Resources for Community Collaboration, is available for projects up to $10,000. Leigh Ann suggested that if we were not accepted for the National Forest Foundation grant, then she would modify that proposal for submission. Otherwise, she welcomed suggestions for other small projects.
The meeting with Andrew Ross to discuss Total Maximum Daily Loads has been postponed until May.
Mike Wireman informed Leigh Ann that he would like to arrange a meeting with her and Zeke in Denver sometime in May for a project update.
Zeke informed the Committee that he had discussed In Kind documentation with Al Cox for the Homestake Mining reclamation work in Windy Gulch. At that time, Barrick Corporation (Homestake’s new owner) was not able to give the Committee documentation of money spent for the project. Leigh Ann asked if there were any other options or if we could provide documentation to Barrick indicating that In Kind to the Committee was in no way binding. It was not known if those making the decisions at Barrick were aware of the partnership with the WCRC and all of the time, influence, and support that the Committee had given them throughout their reclamation. The Committee would stand to benefit greatly from documenting this In Kind. Zeke will look into it further with Al.
Zeke said that the Prospective Purchaser Agreement for the Airport Corner land was moving forward.
Zeke spoke with Chou Cha, NRCS, regarding their new design work for the Creede flume. Chou informed him that three things needed to be done for him to proceed with his design: 1) dig test pits for substrate analyses, 2) collect sediment samples, and 3) have a legal survey of the flume and right-of-way done. Chou indicated that these would be potential expenses at some point in time and that the Committee would need to investigate funding sources. At the appropriate time, a work order will be put out for bids.
Old business:
Private well update: At the time of the meeting,
Bob Kirkham was locating private wells as discussed in the March meeting. He
was able to find 8 permits for
deep wells
104e letters: Leigh Ann informed the Committee that Les Dobson, USFS, had been at the TAC meeting to discuss Forest Service involvement with reclamation, particularly at the Amethyst. As a requirement under CERCLA, the Forest Service must do a Primary Responsible Party (PRP) search for reclamation sites. If the Office of General Council determines they are necessary, 104(e) letters are sent to all PRP’s. These letters require the party to submit certain information for determinations of whether they are a viable entity subject to cost-recovery measures. Les wanted to determine whether this was something that the Committee would support. If the Committee chooses to disagree with this approach then the Forest Service cannot contribute to reclamation at the specific sites, nor will the Committee be able to do any work on Forest Service property. Chuck Barnes emphasized that the Forest Service has always been a valuable partner in our work. Zeke noted, however, that one of the core ideas of the WCRC was that we would approach reclamation in a voluntary and cooperative manner. The TAC had requested that Les provide them with the list of PRP’s for the Amethyst and a sample copy of a 104(e) letter. Les will also check to see if the letters can be amended. The Committee feared that any stakeholders receiving these letters would lose trust in the WCRC and that partnerships would be lost. Zeke said that the Committee did not need to make a decision at this point, and that he would discuss this further with Les.
New business
Coordinator contract: Leigh Ann’s contract as WCRC Coordinator expired in February. Zeke said that he had not had a chance to look at the accounting or to discuss this with Jim Mietz. He asked if Leigh Ann would be willing to agree to a new contract at the same pay, with the stipulation that a raise could be awarded in the future. Leigh Ann agreed. Motion to hire Leigh Ann on for one year starting April 2, 2003 at her current salary and with the provision that raises will be considered based on finances of the Committee made by Chuck Barnes; second made by Don Gant. Motion carried.
Re-veg report: Leigh Ann informed the Committee that she had used Steve Russell’s files to generate a summary report of all re-vegetation efforts since 1999. This report has been reviewed by Steve and Marvin Reynolds (CSU Coop Ext). Zeke said that the report is a good, basic document that can stand as it is; however, whenever possible, those involved in re-veg should add to it. Jim Matush asked if the report should included recommendations based on success. Motion that the re-veg subcommittee prepare a 2003 addendum to the report when appropriate made by Mark Walker; second made by Chuck Barnes. Motion carried.
Well sampling: Leigh Ann said that plans are underway for a comprehensive well sampling in April. A tentative date of April 22 was set for this activity.
Surface water sampling: Tentative dates for surface water sampling are May 8 and 9, the Thursday and Friday after the May meeting. CDMG plans to take the powder out of the mines on these days also.
Underground sampling: The date for underground sampling will be June 3. Sampling will include previously sampled sites, depth-integrated samples at the Berkshire, and new samples where necessary.
The next meeting will be May 7, 2003.
Meeting Adjourned 3:25 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Leigh Ann Vradenburg |