INSPEC16591 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The silo/loadout area is flat and well vegetated. There has been no evidence of erosion or sediment transport off the area. The sediment pond remains in place at the location. The pond was certified in 1979. The condition of the pond is still excellent. The capacity appears to be considerably greater than is needed, given the azea that drains into the pond both directly and through a culvert from the railroad right-of--way. There has never been more than a few inches of water in the pond at any inspection in the last seven years. Reclamation Completed and General Reclaimed Area Stability The mine site was mostly reclaimed from 1990 through 1995, using funds from bond forfeiture. The East Mine area, because of poor vegetation, was reclaimed again in 2000, adding growth medium and leaving a roughened topography amended with slash to create micro-environments for plant growth and to inhibit erosion. That effort has proven successful. There has been no erosion. The West Mine area has also displayed no erosion. The silo/loadout azea displays excellent vegetation and is basically a flat area. No erosion or instability has been noted in that area. A total of $183.13 remains in August, 2005. This final total will be applied to weed control. Estimate of Continuing Safety, Health or Environmental Problems The Division believes that the public health and safety concerns at the Hawk's Nest mine are minimal and have been reduced to the extent possible. The site poses no imminent threats to human safety or the environment and none are expected to develop. Due to the location of the mine on the North Fork of the Gunnison River, the site should be periodically inspected to ensure that there is no off-site impact of sediment into the river. The subsidence of a formal portal azea at the West Mine should also be monitored. It is probable that the mine will some day fill with water. While the Hawk's Nest Mine was a dry mine, water can enter through fractures in the bedrock above the portals and mine workings and undoubtedly will fill the void space to capacity at some point. That could result in a dischazge from the portals or simply the inability of seeping water to get into the mine. Proposed Inspectiou Frequency The Division proposes to reduce the statutory inspection frequency to four inspections annually, one complete and three partial inspections. This inspection frequency should be sufficient to monitor erosion, noxious weeds and the slumps and subsidence and to identify any maintenance needs before they develop into more serious concerns.