2018-09-04_REVISION - M1977378 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Reclamation Summary American Tunnel Permit Area—M-77-378 The American Tunnel permit area, consisting of 21.64 acres, was reclaimed according to the approved reclamation plan in stages between 1995 and 2006. Reclamation included; • removing waste dump and tailings. • removing buildings that property owner did not take responsibility for, and seeking approval to have buildings remain that property owner requested remain for future uses. DRMS approved the requests for buildings to remain. • removing water treatment sludge from settling ponds and filling ponds and regrading areas. • stabilizing the bank of Cement Creek. • closing the American Tunnel portal. • grading the disturbed areas to meet the post-mining land use. • seeding the disturbed area with the approved seed mix, applying fertilizer, and mulch. Seeding and fertilizer application were completed with a hydro-seeder and mulch was applied with a hay-thrower. The final portion of the reclamation was completed in 2006 and the area has been in monitoring and maintenance status since completion of reclamation plan implementation. The vegetation had improved annually and no maintenance work had been required or occurred for many years. The area was stable and met the post-mining land use and minimum vegetation criteria required for release prior to the 2015 Gold King incident. EPA, as a result of the Gold King response action, has taken over the area and completely disturbed the reclamation work completed by SGC. This disturbance and occupation includes the total surface area in reclamation and the reopening of the American Tunnel portal. Since the area was previously reclaimed but EPA now has total control of the property and has disturbed the property for its response action, SGC requests the Division release SGC from further reclamation responsibility for the American Tunnel permit area.