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WCRC Minutes August 6, 2003 Intro of members: JB Alexander, Creede; Leigh Ann Vradenburg, Watershed Coordinator; Zeke Ward, Chairman WCRC; Jim Matush, Creede; Erik Sandvik, Creede; Jeff Graves, CDMG; Laura Coppock, USFWS; Jim Herron, CDMG; Bob Tridle, Creede Resources; Andrew Ross, CDPHE; Phil Bethke, Creede; Jim Mietz, SLV RC&D Approval of minutes: Motion to approve the July minutes was made by Jim Herron; second made by Laura Coppock. Motion carried. Additions/corrections to the agenda: The discussions regarding the proposal for pumping and electricity (7 A) and Wason Ranch (7 B) were moved to the beginning of the meeting so that Jeff and Jim H. could leave early. 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. New Business: Wason Ranch:
Zeke updated the committee members that were not present at the TAC
meeting about the discussions brought forward by Wason Ranch.
John Fognani, a lawyer from Fognani, Guibord, Homsy, & Roberts, was
present at the TAC as a legal representative for Wason Ranch.
Fognani indicated that Wason Ranch is interested in pursuing a federal
citizen suit against several of the mining companies that formerly or presently
own(ed) land or operated in the Creede District.
These actions fall under the citizens suit provisions of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Water Act.
The intent is to effect investigations and clean-up in contaminated areas
whether through cooperation or injunction. The
Wason Ranch applauded the efforts of the WCRC, and they indicated a desire that
the WCRC work with them in the clean-up. Zeke
said that he had informed Wason Ranch representatives that the Willow Creek
Reclamation Committee was founded on the principles of voluntary and cooperative
clean-up. Without the committee’s
formal decision to change that position, the WCRC would not participate in legal
action. There were no further
discussions by the committee to change position on the issue. Proposal for
pumping and electricity:
Jim Herron indicated that he had looked into options for dewatering the
Nelson from the Berkshire Shaft. The
purpose of this would be to access that area to determine inflows and water
quality. The distance from the
Berkshire to the Commodore portal is 7,762 feet.
The alternatives for pumping include: 1) using a compressor, airline and
diaphragm pump; 2) run electrical line into the mine for an electric pump; and
3) use a generator and electric pump. Noted
problems with electricity and/or a generator include risks of shock and exhaust.
Zeke said that compressed air seemed the best way to go.
Ken Wyley and Jerry Wintz have evaluated the present airline in the mine,
and it is 3,000 feet short of what we need.
They have found a source for 2” aluminum pipe at 50 cents/foot.
Ken will check on the availability and cost of 4”, and whether or not
the cost includes couplings. Zeke
said the county has an air compressor that we might borrow.
He also said that although we have not determined a source for the pump,
we should go ahead with purchasing and laying the pipe because of the time
involved. Motion to approve up to
$8,500 for Ken to purchase the aluminum pipe made by Laura; second made by JB.
Jim Matush asked if volunteers could help with pipe installation.
JB asked if any of the pipe hangers were still in place.
Jeff said that most of the old hangers were gone and would have to be
replaced. Motion went to vote and
carried unanimously. Coordinator’s Report:
Leigh Ann informed the
committee that the Community Clean Up Day had occurred on July 15th.
The project encompassed the reach from the top of the flume to the
confluence of East and West Willow. The
City and County donated dumptrucks, backhoes, and manhours to the project.
Wood debris and metal were pulled from the channel and the streambank.
The metal was hauled to the dump, and the wood was piled up for drying
and burning once the burn ban is lifted. An
article and picture from the event appeared in the Mineral County Miner. Leigh Ann said that
Jim Erdman was interested in collecting samples on August 20 for a study on
plant uptake of metals as an indicator of groundwater contamination.
She said that he had indicated that he might not do the La Garita site to
determine the location of the seep on the Rio Grande.
Zeke said that we would like to see that area done, and suggested that
Leigh Ann determine Jim’s reasoning for omission. Leigh Ann said that
in the next month, before construction on the reclamation project begins, she
needed to do photopoints at the sites. Due
to the delay in 319 funding, she needed a source of free stakes to mark the
sites. Zeke suggested digger link
discarded by potato farmers. He
could cut the wire and make tin tags. Jim
Mietz said that he would contact some farmers and determine a source. Leigh Ann indicated
that she plans on attending the Colorado Nonpoint Source and Colorado Watershed
Assembly meetings in September. She
would like to present posters at both events.
Leigh Ann and Zeke have been invited to speak at the Colorado Riparian
Association meeting in October. Leigh Ann is
presently investigating sources of funding through private foundations.
She wanted to confirm that there were not any sources that the committee
would not support. The committee
agreed that they would support any funding opportunities through recognized
foundations. JB asked about the
status of getting work done on the trestle at the Midwest.
Leigh Ann said that she had discussed it with Jerry Wintz at the site
visit for the reclamation work, and they agreed that we should wait until the
reclamation project at that site is complete before determining any safety work
needed. Old Business: Bid results/
Reclamation schedule:
Leigh Ann said that the bid opening was held on July 22.
There were three bids submitted: Frontier Environmental: $441,460;
McCollum’s Excavating: $77,623; and Timberline Excavating: $134,610.
Upon CDMG’s review and approval of the bids and equipment lists,
RC&D awarded the bid to the low bidder, McCollum’s Excavating.
The work is scheduled to start September 1. Gareth’s final
report:
Leigh Ann said that we had received a final report from Gareth Davies.
This report is available for distribution. Report final
copies:
Leigh Ann said that she now had final reports (with the exception of
biological) ready for distribution. She
asked the committee the most cost effective and appropriate way to distribute
them. Zeke suggested that she use
labeled 3-ring binders for the office displays, comb-bound paper copies on
special request, and a CD with the pdf files for most purposes.
JB suggested that the summary provided by Rodger Ortiz regarding the USGS
sampling of the Rio Grande be added as an appendix to the surface water report. Other: Zeke said that he
and Leigh Ann would look into the costs/benefits of the WCRC becoming a
501(c)(3) to present at the September meeting. Leigh Ann asked
about using funding appropriated for Coordinator Helper to pay her salary.
Zeke said that it was appropriate because that fund was intended for
general coordinator duties. The next meeting will be September 3, 2003. Meeting Adjourned 3:18 PM Respectfully Submitted, Leigh Ann Vradenburg |