WCRC Minutes

September 3, 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; Jim Mietz, SLV RC&D; Jerry Rowe, Water Management Consultants; Les Dobson, USFS; Steve Russell, NRCS; Mike Wireman, USEPA; Marvin Reynolds, CSU Cooperative Extension; Pat Willits, Trust for Land Restoration

 

Approval of minutes:  Motion to approve the August minutes was made by JB Alexander; second made by Erik Sandvik.  Motion carried. 

 

Additions/corrections to the agenda:  Discussions regarding the Action Memos were placed before the Coordinator’s Report.  Item 7A Community Action Plan was removed.  A discussion of the Final Characterization Report was moved to Old Business B.  A section to discuss TAC recommendations was added before New Business.

 

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.  

 

Action memorandum:  Mike Wireman said that an action memorandum is a legal document issued by the EPA under CERCLA that takes away liability for doing a certain project.  For example, if there is an action memo issued for the reclamation work, then it will cover any liability for the WCRC/SLV RC&D for that particular work.  Memos are action, project, and site specific for a certain timeframe.  Mike indicated that he thought that an action memo for the reclamation work would be a good idea, but he wanted to bring it before the committee before he filed.  Leigh Ann indicated that the Forest Service had already filed actions memos for the reclamation work on their land.  Zeke noted that the advantage of an action memo would be that it maintains the committee in a good position as a diligent party working within reviews and regulations for this type of work.  Motion to approve Mike to proceed with filing the action memo made by Jim Matush; second made by JB Alexander.  JB asked if there were any negatives to filing.  Mike said that he had never experienced any problems working with the action memo process.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Coordinator’s Report:

 

Leigh Ann said that representatives from El Pomar would be in Creede September 9th to film footage for a presentation at the Awards for Excellence banquet in December.  Leigh Ann reminded the committee that they had been selected as a finalist for an award in the Environmental Non Profit category, but she was not sure if they would be notified of the overall winner before December.

 

Leigh Ann applied for a small grant through the El Pomar Seniors in Action program.  She requested $1,000 for outreach, specifically for brochure production and website maintenance.

 

Leigh Ann will be attending the Colorado NonPoint Source Forum and the Colorado Watershed Assembly meetings September 10-12 in Glenwood Springs.  She will be displaying the current WCRC poster at the CWA meeting and passing out brochures.

 

Jim Erdman will be in Creede sampling willow leaves and will get back with the committee as soon as he has results.

 

Leigh Ann was unable to do any research into obtaining 501(c)(3) status since the last meeting.  She will try again for October.

 

Mike Wireman noted that Leigh Ann had been nominated for a leadership program through the EPA.

 

Zeke said that he had given a presentation to the City council regarding discussions with Wason Ranch at the August meeting.

 

Zeke said that the Mineral County Fairgrounds Association is progressing in their planning, and they have a conceptual design from their architects.  They are considering an application for Brownfields for the remaining assessment below the bench.

 

New Business:

 

Reclamation schedule:  Leigh Ann indicated that the reclamation work had begun at the Phoenix Park Mill site.  The contractors planned on working in the order of: Phoenix Mill, Phoenix Mine, Gormax, Midwest, and Park Regent.  They anticipate being finished and demobilizing by October 12.

 

Final Characterization Report:  Leigh Ann said that she would like to identify the documents that needed to be produced to summarize the characterization and those that would dictate future plans.  Zeke suggested that the final report would give the high points, conclusions, and recommendations.  Mike suggested that the TAC write the final summary, and that a length around 5 pages would be appropriate.  Zeke asked if there were any resources for outside technical review of our summaries and conclusions.  He thought that the USGS might be able to provide such a service.  Mike agreed that we should have another level of review.  Mike said that an Integrated Watershed Management Plan would integrate the interests of the community with the characterization and the proposed best management practices.  Zeke suggested that we hold public meetings to discuss our conclusions and options.  He suggested that we discuss the ideas for a public meeting at the October meeting.  Mike suggested that Leigh Ann look into the details of an Integrated Watershed Management Plan as currently supported by the NonPoint source program.

 

TAC Recommendations:

 

Groundwater velocity:  The TAC recommended that efforts be made to determine a velocity for the contaminated groundwater plume near the Emperious Tailings Pile.  Zeke suggested that we approach Gareth Davies about a tracer study.  Kathleen said that the expenses for a tracer study could justifiably be transferred within the 319 grant because it furthers characterization of the alluvial groundwater.  Mike said that it would answer the TAC’s remaining questions.  Motion to authorize Leigh Ann to approach Gareth for a plan and to authorize up to $8,000 for a groundwater velocity study made by JB Alexander; second made by Erik Sandvik.  Motion carried.

 

Tailings pile:  The TAC discussed that Hecla should be approached regarding development of conceptual designs and cost estimates for reclamation of the Emperious Tailings pile.  Motion to approach Hecla for funding for conceptual design with cost estimates for treating the tailings pile made by JB Alexander; second made by Marvin Reynolds.  Motion carried.  Leigh Ann will contact Hecla.

 

Nelson treatment:  JB suggested that we should solicit proposals for piping the Nelson Tunnel water to the hatchery and/or treatment pilots.  Motion to authorize the TAC to pursue proposals for Nelson Tunnel water treatment for discussion at the October meeting made by Erik Sandvik; second made by Kathleen.  Motion carried.

 

2004 Section 319 funding:  Leigh Ann said that the committee needed to come up with ideas for the next round of 319 grant proposals.  Motion to authorize the TAC to decide on projects for the 2004 319 grant proposal made by Steve Russell; second made by JB Alexander.  Motion carried.  Kathleen said that letters of intent were due in October, and that the proposals were due sometime in December.  She noted that watershed management plans were priorities for funding.

 

Old Business:

 

Land trust:  Pat Willits was present from the Trust for Land Restoration, which focuses on mine lands.  Pat discussed the interests of his group and projects that they had worked on.  Zeke said that a potential project for them in the Creede area would be to facilitate the transfer of land from Hecla to the City.  Zeke said that he would talk with Pat more.

 

The next meeting will be October 1, 2003.

 

Meeting Adjourned 4:40 PM

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Leigh Ann Vradenburg