INSPEC24683

• Permit No: M1980047
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 10/30/1984
• Doc Name: COLONY PROJECTS INSPECTION DATAE 10/23/1984
• Inspection Date: 10/23/1984
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

..~
Richard D. Lamm
Governs
DEPARTMENT~ATURALRESOURCES •'IIIIIIIIIIII~IIIIIIt
David H. Getches, Executive Director ~ V(~
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
DAVID C. SHELTDrJ, Director
DATE: October 30, 1984
T0: James McArdle ~ ~~
FROM: Jim Pendleton "`~
RE: Field Notes Ins ions of Last Week
Colony Projects (Inspection Date - October 23, 1984)
Bob Niemela and Jim Moore indicated that EXXON may desire to remove the
sediment ponds now existing in the lower middle fork of Parachute Creek. With
the completion of the Middle Fork Dam, successful revegetation of the road
slopes, and completion of the stream confluence area channels of Middle Fork
and Davis Gulch, below the Davis Gulch Falls, EXXON believes sediment
generation will be greatly reduced.
I suggested that they would have to demonstrate that sediment flow does not
exceed the background level in the Parachute Creek drainage. They believe
they can, using East Middle fork of Parachute Creek baseline sediment data,
for comparison. I further suggested that they would probably be required to
demonstrate their contention for a couple of years, during which monitoring
would be required.
Candidly, they are concerned because EXXON's attorneys believe that EPA and
Colorado Health Department regulations literally require conformance with
NPDES sediment standards during flood events, even though those agencies
policies are not to enforce the standards during such events. EXXON's
attorneys are paranoid about this particular point. I related the
coincidental discussions occurring with OSM, EPA, and CDOH regarding this very
topic in regards to coal regulation. I suggested that they approach Dave
Shelton, to discuss this topic.
Union Oil Shale (Inspection Date - October 24, 1984)
Union Oil had removed the culvert from the West Fork of Parachute Creek at the
location of the old Colony Project access road crossing, at the west extremity
of the Lindauer Meadow. However, final grading appears to remain to be
completed, in order to properly reclaim the effected area, followed by
topsoiling and seeding. Union Oil removed the culvert to facilitate the
repair of the surface hydrology flume located immediately down grade from the
old culvert. The culvert had jammed during last June's flows resulting in
damage to the flume.
423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303y B66-3567