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N. Thompson Creek, p~.2 <br />We inspected the reclaimed fresh air intake portal at Mine 3 and it was stable, and the <br />approved /retained roadway to this area was also stable. Wa noted one Canadian Thistle <br />infestation at the beginning of the roadway that should be sprayed. The Stoney Ridge <br />Road bridge over N. Thompson creek has also been approved by DMG for retention via <br />MR 21. <br />We inspected the Mine 3 reclaimed area that remains stable and well vegetated, and we <br />noted the portal discharge monitoring access manholes. The upper N. Thompson Creek <br />flume was inspected and we noted substantial concrete debris, probably pre-law material, <br />along the creek bank in this area. The bank is very stable here and should not be <br />redisturbed. We continued the inspection to the refuse pond that was completely dry, and <br />the refuse pile itself that is stable and well vegetated. No problems noted with ditches or <br />diversions in this area. <br />We next inspected the Mine 1 area beginning with the NPDES discharge into N. <br />Thompson Creek. The discharge was approx. 20 gpm, and was sampled by Mr. Stover. <br />As reported in my October 2, 2001, inspection report, the mine discharge water treatment <br />system at Mine 1 is currently approved by DMG and the Colorado Department of Public <br />Health. The system also receives mine water discharge from Mine 3, both mines were <br />dischazging into the long pond today. The landowner is approved to pump treated water <br />from the system into alivestock-watering tank north of the disturbed area. There was <br />brief discussion among inspection participants regarding the altemative postmining land <br />use of a developed water resource approved for the mine water discharge /treatment <br />system. The mine water discharges will not meet effluent criteria without treatment in <br />this system currently, primarily with respect to total iron concentrations. The dischazge <br />pH is in compliance before treatment. It may not be possible to release Phase III liability <br />on the water treatment system, as it requires maintenance to function properly, the non- <br />compliantmine water discharges do not represent successful reclamation, and without <br />required maintenance /treatment the mine water discharges could represent degradation <br />to the azeas surface water resources. <br />The status of the Colorado Department of Public Health NPDES permit for the treatment <br />system discharge was also briefly discussed. DMG and OSM will continue to research <br />these water treatment issues as they relate to Phase III bond release findings for <br />successful reclamation, an approved alternative postmining land use (developed water <br />resource), and potential impacts to surface water resources [Rule 4.16.3 (2) & (3)J. The <br />permittee needs to ensure both the retention and operation of the water treatment system, <br />and demolition of the flumes noted above, is conducted in compliance with all applicable <br />State and Federal regulations. This may require additional notification to other State and <br />Federal agencies including the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State <br />Engineer's Office, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Health, <br />USFS, BLM, local municipalities, and others. <br />