WCRC Minutes

September 7, 2005

Intro of members: Zeke Ward, WCRC Chairman; Jim Mietz, SLV RC&D; JB Alexander, Creede; Jim Matush, Creede; Merle Jennings, Creede; Kathy Jennings, Creede; Phil Bethke, Creede.

Approval of minutes:  No revisions to the minutes were proposed.  Motion to approve the August minutes made by Merle Jennings; second made by Phil Bethke.  Motion carried. 

Additions/corrections to the agenda:  A discussion of, and funding request for, laboratory glassware was added to Old Business.

In-Kind:  The usual reminder for volunteers to track and report time and other expenses was made by Zeke.

Coordinator’s Report:  Since Kelley was absent from meeting in order to attend the Non-Point Source conference, Zeke read his written report (see attached report).

Old Business:  J. B. requested that expenditure of funds be approved to purchase a magnetic mixer, and other miscellaneous glassware and apparatus, to allow bench scale duplication of proposed Nelson Tunnel treatment options.  After it was determined that funds were available for this expenditure, a motion by Kathy Jennings and second by Phil Bethke was made that $500 be authorized.  Motion passed.  J. B. will get with Kelley to make the required purchases.

New Business:

Commodore three level: Since both Eric Twitty and the Colorado Mines and Geology folks think that the buildings and facilities at the Commodore Three level are among the best, if not the best, existing examples of that era of mining in the State, it was decided that we need to do an inspection and undertake any necessary roof repairs etc. in order to assure that these facilities are preserved.  Zeke will try and get a key to the chained off access to this area so that inspection and work may proceed.

November Meeting:  Since the big Brownfields Conference in Denver is scheduled for the first week of  November, and many of our members need to attend, our November meeting will be held on November 9.

Next Meeting: October 5, 2005

Respectfully Submitted,

JB Alexander

 

Willow Creek Reclamation Committee Directors Report - September

For training for XRF machine, Charles Johnson could make a trip to Creede for $500 to $1000 for a group training.  However, a free training is going to be offered in Denver on November 17.  Leigh Ann is willing to run samples in New Mexico if we can meet her in Santa Fe with the dirt.  Therefore, it’s probably best to wait until the free XRF training in November in Denver if still needed, and have Leigh Ann run any fairgrounds samples that may be needed before then.

Kelley talked to Diann Gese with the forest service, and we could get free rock for stream restoration from Wolf Creek before November if we could come up with funding for transportation.  However, we currently don’t have any funds to do this.

As far as a limited fall sampling, Mike Wireman liked the idea to document potential changes due to recent floods and thought that he could probably get the EPA lab to run 5 to 10 samples in October.  Kelley will present potential sampling locations at the October meeting for approval by the committee for an October sampling.

Mike Wireman is still willing to try to get the EPA lab to run samples for a bench scale examination of lime treatment using Nelson water.  However, the EPA lab is currently swamped and he’d prefer not to have those samples until at least December.  

Mike Wireman mentioned that he may potentially be able to make the November meeting if was moved from November 2 to November 9 due to the Brownfields Conference.  Zeke has the same issue. 

For the Commodore stabilization project, DOLA may be able to provide a large grant to do an extensive project.  A design scenario and cost estimate has been developed to:

  • line the wooden flume with a 4’ pipe for normal flows
  • run a 7’ pipe to the east to below the concrete grizzly for flood flows
  • run a 12” pipe from the commodore portal to the metal flume
  • fill the channel just below the grizzly with limestone and rock
  • move the lower channel away from the west slope using rock from Wolf Creek
  • attempt to fill the undercut slope below the ore house
  • grade the sediment piles into the old settling pond area near the mining museum
  • remove timber debris

Hopefully we can get funding for heavy equipment to clean up debris above town and in the floodplain.  DOLA needs either the city of the county to receive the grant funds as well as hold an easement with the Poxsons for any structures.  We are currently trying to get the county to take the necessary steps, and to secure DOLA and other funding before starting a bid process.

Kelley did take infrared and color aerial photos of the lower floodplain as requested by Steve Yochum.  Kelley also took a few color photos of the Commodore area which are proving very useful for the Commodore design.

Mushroom compost is being hauled to the Phoenix Park Mill Site and to the Midwest mine to try to establish better vegetative covers.  Kelley may be driving Henry Brink’s dozer to spread the compost.  The Forest Service will be paying for the compost while the committee will be paying for the hauling from Alamosa to Creede and Creede to the mine sites.

Ed Raines visited Creede and the Commodore area on August 25th and 26th.  He will make a presentation about the site to the State Historic Preservation Office in support of an Endangered Historic Place designation in October.

Ben and Robert with the City, and Kelley, have spent several afternoons digging out the Parshall flume at the Nelson.  They have the flume exposed, but need 1 or 2 more afternoons to be able to start using the flume.  No silver or gold has been found yet.

Kelley and Zeke presented Leigh Ann with the gift of jewelry from Rare Things.  Thank you very much for all who contributed to the gift fund.  We have a plaque in the works and should hopefully get that to Leigh Ann in a week or two.