Laserfiche WebLink
COLORADO <br /> Division of Reclamation, <br /> A&17 Mining and Safety <br /> 1313 Sherman Street,Room 215 <br /> Denver,Colorado 80203 <br /> August 8, 2019 <br /> Site File <br /> RE: Citizen Complaint, Golden Mine, Permit M-1976-007ug, Summary of complaint and follow-up <br /> On August 6, and 7, 2019, DRMS received complaint calls from Ms. Wheeler of 5040 Pine Ridge Rd, Golden <br /> CO. Calls were taken by Tim Cazier and Michael Cunningham and forwarded to me. <br /> On my return to the office from field inspections this morning, August 8, 2019, I followed up with Ms. Wheeler <br /> by phone. She stated that she heard five "consecutive blasts" (within approximately 30 minutes) on Monday, <br /> Aug. 5 at approximately 1:15pm(based on her soap opera viewing schedule). These events reportedly stirred up a <br /> significant amount of dust in the area which entered her home. She believes that the alleged blasting took place on <br /> the east side of the hogback from her property and she is concerned about potential impacts to her property from <br /> continued alleged blasting activity. She stated that she was an elderly lady, and the conversation tended to <br /> wander a bit, however, she was clearly being coached by her daughter during the call. <br /> I then spoke with Rob Tibbits this morning, who is the permittee contact for the two Denver/Acme Brick sites <br /> nearest to her property(opposite/east side of the hogback). According to Mr. Tibbits,the northern site, Dakota, is <br /> currently undergoing reclamation, so there has been some recent earthwork there, but no mining/blasting. <br /> The southern site, Golden, closest to Ms. Wheeler's property, has only hauled from an existing stockpile this <br /> season. That stockpiled material was mined last year-he said there has been no active mining this year. He stated <br /> that he thought that last time any blasting occurred at the sites was approximately 2013, and that their mining <br /> operations, as well as the off-site brick plant they supplied,have been shut down. <br /> The General Shale permit-previously located between the two Denver Brick sites on state land has been <br /> reclaimed and was released late last year, so there should be no activity there. <br /> I also spoke with Sara Haggstrom of APC as they are the nearest active site to the complaint address. She stated <br /> that the last blasting they conducted at the Ralston Quarry was on August 2 -the Friday prior to the event reported <br /> by Ms. Wheeler, and the last blasting before that was July 19. She said that she would ask if anyone on their site <br /> had heard/seen anything, or knew of any other blasting activity in the area, and let us know if she found anything <br /> out. <br /> At this time, I have no explanation for the incident that Ms. Wheeler reported to DRMS, and I have no reason to <br /> doubt Mr. Tibbits. Without further indication of unauthorized blasting activity in a permitted mine site, illegal <br /> mining activity, or additional information/written complaint from Ms. Wheeler or others, I will consider the <br /> matter closed. <br /> Eric Scott <br /> Environmental Protection Specialist <br /> 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.3567 F 303.832.8106 http://mimng.state.co.us <br /> Jared S. Pot1s, Governor ( Dan Gibbs, Executive Director I Virginia Brannon, Director <br />