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The Designated Mining Operation review is slated for an initial decision by the Division towards <br />the end of July. Issues that are being looked under those rules include mine water discharge <br />and the nature of leaching of ore /waste . Oil spills, leaking pipes, deteriorating liners, lack of <br />berms around stockpile areas and tracking of ore fines out of the stockpile areas do not help <br />Cotter's case in any way. <br />The Denver Office has instructed the Grand Junction Field Office to conduct monthly <br />inspections on the sites until further notice to ensure all mining and reclamation plans, <br />hazardous materials handling and other issues under the Division's jurisdiction are complied <br />with. Both Steve Shuey and myself will re-inspect the sites on June 14~'. We will call prior to <br />that to set up a time and meeting place. If issues noted from these inspections are not taken <br />care of by that date, staff has been instructed to change them from problems to possible <br />violations and schedule them for a hearing at the next available Board meeting. <br />The Grand Junction Field Office staff regrets having to take these measures and tone, but must <br />insist on Cotter's compliance. We hope that both sides can work together and move beyond <br />these issues, but if not, the Rules are the law we must enforce and we will do so. <br />Further, an initial phone call from Cotter has indicated an interest in reopening a couple of <br />permitted sites now in full reclamation. Staff strongly suggests that the current operations be <br />brought up to current standards and DMO issues resolved prior to re-disturbing additional fully <br />reclaimed sites. <br />If you need additional information, please contact me at the Division of Minerals and Geology, <br />Grand Junction Field Office, 101 S. 3rd St., Suite 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, <br />telephone no. 970.241.1117. <br />Sincerely, <br />G. Russell Means <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Cc: Bruce Humphries, Mineral Program Supervisor, Denver <br />Cc: Carl Mount, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, North Team, Denver <br />Cc: Steve Shuey, Environmental Protection Specialist II, Grand Junction <br />