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RII.HARn p, L/+~AIA, in+v i,,nrv DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES D. Monte Poscoe, Eeecvt rve Director ~~I I~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ b'iINED LAND RECLAMA'T'ION STATE OF COLORADO 423 Centennial Building, 1373 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 Play 7, 1982 David C. Shelton Director TO: Dave Shelton ~ J~o/e/y/kind ) FP.OM: Jim Pendleton ~--'-• =`'~~~`~~ l~ RE: Preliminary O~sezvations Following a Reconnaissance Inspection of the Colony._Project's Surface Disturbances The following presents a list of my preliminary observations of surface disturbances and possible mitiyative activities for the Colony Project. I am assuming, at this preliminary stage, that our guiding concern is obtaining conformance with the applicable air and water quality, revege- tation, wildlife, slope stability, and health and safety standards of our regulations and State law. With that in mind, I present the following observations: (1) The Pfiddle Fork Dam should be completed as originally designed and , the stream drainage reclaimed to protect the downstream mine bench and to control sediment generation. (2) The mine bench has reached original completion, but'has now had an approximately 500,000 cubic yard excavation created to receive the crusher for processing mined ore, This existing excavation represents a possible water and sediment impoundment. With the Middle Fork Dam in place and with the completion of an analutical demonstration that the bench will remain stable even if the excavation were to be filled with water, I suppose that the excavation could be allowed to remain. It does, however, present a considerable hazard to health and safety. (3) Davis Gulch is a scene of absolute disturbance, including Coffer Dam, stockpiles in mid-drainage faith undersized culverts, numerous road distur~ bances, etc. This area represents a potential sediment and flood drainage disaster. If the originally approved Davis Gulch Dam were to be completed as designed, it c.~ould then supposedly contain all sediment and runoff waters generated. rlt this point in time the foundation for the dam has been excavated to bedrock and partially grouted, however, no earthen construction has occurred at the dam site at this time. (4) The upgrading ridgetop plant site can be divided into several sub-areas. The southern or south draw area contains a large earthen fill which has reached an elevation approximately 50 feet lower than its final design grade. The northern portion of the plant si tn_, or north draw area, lacks approximately 6 million yards of fill which probarly represents an additional .? to 6 months