WCRC Minutes

October 5, 2005

Intro of members: Zeke Ward, WCRC Chairman and Mineral County Commissioner; JB Alexander, Creede; Jim Matush, Creede; Merl Jennings, Creede; Kathy Jennings, Creede;  Mark Walker, CDPHE; Jeff Graves, CDMG; Jim Herron, CDMG; Les Dobson, US Forest Service; Steve Yochum, NRCS; Marvin Reynolds, CSU Cooperative Extension; Kelley Thompson, WCRC Director

Approval of minutes:  No corrections to the September minutes were proposed.  Motion to approve the September minutes made by Marvin; second made by Kathy.  Motion carried. 

Additions/corrections to the agenda:  A report on the Creede Resources transfer was added to Reports.  Winterization of the Commodore 5 Portal was added to New Business.

In-Kind:  Forms were provided in hard copy for volunteers to track time and other expenses.  Zeke encouraged monthly submission of these forms. 

Reports:

Director’s Report:

The NPS conference Kelley attended in Glenwood provided helpful information for the organization of WCRC’s Watershed Plan.  Kelley also attended a presentation about sulfide reducing wetlands during the first day of the CWA conference.  Kelley submitted semi-annual reports for the 319 grants and gained a better understanding of the current 319 grants.

Kelley spent much time last month developing preliminary designs and cost estimates for stabilization of the Commodore flume and dump.  Significant funding is available from DOLA, but local government must administer the funds.  Kelley met with both the Mineral County Commissioners and Creede City Council to ask them to request the DOLA funding.  The Creede City Council, in particular, recognized the need and importance of the project.  However, for both the county and city lawyers advised the groups to not request the funding due to liability issues related to ownership requirements from DOLA.  Therefore, neither the county nor city chose to request the funding.  Some possibility exists for use of an indemnification agreement to relieve liability or formation of a remediation or flood control district at some future time to accept DOLA funding.  In the absence of DOLA, there is only a limited amount of funding available from the CWCB or CDMG.  Kelley and the CDMG will try to complete at least some bare minimum tasks to try to stabilize the wooden flume before winter.

Brian Hyde with the CWCB informed Kelley that the Windy Gulch project had to be completed; although excess funds could be used at the Commodore and he may be able to find some additional funds for the Commodore.  Therefore, work was initiated to install the new culverts at Windy Gulch.  The box culverts have been cast, and an excavator and crane have been scheduled. 

Hauling of compost to the Midwest Mine and Phoenix Park Mill Sites has just been completed.  The compost will be spread by dozer and by hand, and the sites will be hopefully be seeded by late October or early November.

Creede Resources transfer:

Zeke described recent activities related to the potential transfer of the Creede Resources property to the city.  Zeke, Kelley, and the City Council met with Bob Tridle and Paul Glader of Creede Resources, and consultants for assessments from Casey Resources, on September 27.  Creede Resources had several recommendations for the city’s ordinance to accept the property, and are still progressing towards entry into a voluntary clean up plan and potential transfer of property to the city.  Zeke will be meeting with Creede Resources again on October 19 and 20.

Wason Ranch did serve Hecla Mining with their lawsuit.  Helca informed Zeke and Kelley that they may need to make some changes to access and data collection agreements with the committee on Creede Resources property due to the lawsuit.  Steve Yochum inquired to the impact that this may have on the NRCS stream restoration design activities.  Zeke felt that the NRCS can continue with restoration activities, and the committee will do all it can to support these activities.  However, collection of water and soil samples should be approved by Hecla.  Zeke requested that Steve document future data collection needs, and he will present these needs to Hecla.  Kelley will email Steve the SAP from the fairgrounds as an example of a data collection plan.    

Old Business

Low Flow Sampling

Kelley is planning on a limited sampling near the time when TMDL samples are taken from the Nelson Tunnel near the third or fourth week of October.  The sampling will be limited to established stations at the mouth of Willow Creek, above the flume, above and below Nelson Tunnel, and a site on East Willow Creek.

Nelson Treatment Bench Scale

JB has prepared a list of equipment and materials needed to perform the bench scale tests.  JB will finalize this list after further consideration of materials available from the city, and Kelley will place the order.

Commodore Level 3 Investigation

Jim, Merl, Kathy, and Kelley will meet Zeke at 9am on October 11 to go the Commodore level 3 building to investigate potential needs to help preserve the structure.  

New Business:

Winterization of Commodore 5 Portal:

Zeke brought up the need to cover the portal entrance with plastic, close the air doors, and place a salt block in the “piss” ditch to avoid ice buildup at the portal entrance.  Zeke may have a tarp, and Jeff could try to place the tarp and close the air doors.  Kelley will get a salt block and place at the second air door.

The next meeting will be November 9, 2005 as approved at the last meeting.

Meeting adjourned 3:00 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Kelley Thompson