WCRC Minutes

June 4, 2003

 

Intro of members: JB Alexander, Creede; Leigh Ann Vradenburg, Watershed Coordinator; Zeke Ward, Chairman WCRC; Jim Matush, Creede; Don Gant, Creede/Trout Unlimited; Mark Walker, CDPHE; Kim Eggert, Creede; Jeff Graves, CDMG; Bob Kirkham, Consulting Geologist; Joan Germany, Wason Ranch; Mike Wireman, EPA

 

Approval of minutes:  Leigh Ann noted that Les Dobson with the Forest Service had suggested clarification of the wording regarding the Outlet.  Motion to approve the revised May minutes was made by JB Alexander; second made by Jeff Graves.  Motion carried. 

 

Additions/corrections to the agenda:  In the interest of those who had to leave early, discussions of Bob Kirkham’s report and the bid document for the reclamation work were moved to the top of the business agenda.

 

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 proposal to the Sonoran Institute for AV equipment had not been selected.  The committee was, however, selected as a finalist for an El Pomar Award for Excellence in the Environment category.  This means that the committee will receive at least a $5,000 award, and up to $15,000 if selected as the final winner.

 

Leigh Ann indicated that she had prepared a pamphlet for distribution at Philanthropy Days and at Days of ’92.  She passed a couple around for review.  Mike requested 50 copies.

 

As indicated in her recent email, Leigh Ann has the website updated in terms of minutes.  She will continue to post minutes when they are available, and she will update the remainder of the site as soon as possible.

 

Old Business:

 

Kirkham’s Report:  Bob gave a summary of his report: Private Water Wells in and Near the Creede Graben, North of Creede, Colorado.  The report summarized the depth, static water level, locations, and elevation of eight wells.  The wells ranged from 280’ to 1386’ in depth, but there was a degree of uncertainty about the elevations of most of the wells.  In the report, Bob suggested that the next step would be to obtain new water samples and static water levels, so that an accurate picture of the water table and contamination could be constructed.  Mike Wireman agreed that the next logical step would be to at least get water levels and then water samples if possible.  Zeke said that we first need to identify who will be responsible for coordinating the sampling/measuring, and then we should get a static water level on all of the wells.  Water samples should only be taken if it is convenient.  Mike suggested that Leigh Ann get permission from the landowners to do the measurements.  He indicated that there was a USGS equipment center that might have the appropriate equipment that we could rent.  A good target date to accomplish this work would be in August.  Motion for the TAC subcommittee of Jeff Graves, Bob Kirkham, and Leigh Ann to coordinate the measuring and sampling made by Don Gant; second made by JB Alexander.  Motion carried.  Bob added that if we could get a sample from the Bassett well, the filtered material should be analyzed.  Mike suggested that we talk to Bill Schroeder about filter analyses.  Bob wanted the committee to think about the possibility of using the wells as part of a tracer study, perhaps as injection wells or as monitoring wells for the tracer.

 

Bid Document:  This discussion concerned the draft bid document that Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology prepared for the reclamation work this summer.  This document was sent out to the TAC prior to the meeting for review.  Mike suggested that a basis for the selection of the sites be included.  The site ranking table drafted by Jim Herron for the waste rock and tailings pile report was identified as an appropriate piece of information to include in the bid.  Zeke asked why all of the sites were grouped under one bid.  Jeff said that it would be easier for both the contractors and for the committee.  Mike asked who would be doing the oversight for the construction.  Jeff said that CDMG would be there for at least the first couple of weeks, and then the remainder could be coordinated with the Forest Service and the WCRC.  Zeke said that we need to pick a date in July for the pre-bid meeting.  Leigh Ann indicated that she had sent the bid to Jim Mietz at RC&D.  Jeff indicated that their usual schedule provided for releasing the bid document, allowing two weeks, showing the site, and then allowing two weeks before the deadline.  Zeke told CDMG to finalize the bid document, and we will work to identify local contractors.  Mike said that we should also keep the county informed.  Jeff requested any comments or changes by June 13.

 

July meeting/Wason Ranch:  Leigh Ann read an email from Steve Schiff with Wason Ranch regarding their request to schedule the July meeting for the 9th.  Wason Ranch would like to attend a meeting with their attorneys to discuss issues directly related to the WCRC.  JB Alexander and Mark Walker suggested that Wason Ranch send the committee a list of the issues to be discussed.  Zeke indicated that at this point it would be difficult to change the meeting because many of the people coming from Denver had already made reservations for July 2nd.  Mike suggested the August 6th meeting as a better date for Wason Ranch to attend.

 

July cookout:  Zeke will be hosting a cookout on July 2nd in coordination with the WCRC meeting.

 

Tree planting:  Leigh Ann said that the tree planting event had gone well.  Numbers and species planted were:  50 chokecherry; 50 service berry; 50 mountain mahogany; 12 cottonwood poles; 30 potted bristlecone; and 10 local willow poles.  All trees and shrubs were planted in the vicinity of the sewage lagoons and the hiking trail.

 

Water sampling summary:  Leigh Ann briefly described the sites that were sampled at the beginning of May. 

 

USACE report:  Mark, Kim, and Bob had looked at the well report written by the Army Corps of Engineers.  They agreed that the report included all of the necessary information.  Mark and Bob suggested that the title of the report be changed to include a description of the activities that were done.

 

New business:

 

Days of ‘92/ Willow Creek Clean-up:  Leigh Ann suggested that the WCRC organize a clean-up to be conducted in mid-July.  She thought that advertising such an event at the WCRC booth at Days of ’92 might get the word out.  She will also coordinate with the city and county for any heavy equipment or manpower that they might be able to donate.

 

Philanthropy Days Strategy:  Leigh Ann said that the information for Philanthropy Days indicated that there would not be very many funders at the event that would be interested in the needs of the WCRC. 

 

The next meeting will be July 2, 2003.

 

Meeting Adjourned 4:22 PM

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Leigh Ann Vradenburg