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Mr. Thomas Malecek, District Ranger <br />9 August 2004 <br />The March sampling event represents the period when flow in Windy Gulch below Bachelor <br />Road was starting again after two dry yeazs in 2002 and 2003. The data indicates that there was <br />some initial flushing of constituents at the lower weir station, resulting in higher concentrations <br />than in the subsequent samples. This initial flushing after a dry period was anticipated. <br />Additional flushing may continue for several years as accumulated materials in Windy Gulch aze <br />gradually removed by flowing water. <br />The April and May data at the lower weir meet all Agricultural Standards established for Windy <br />Gulch. Also, these data show improvement over the average values from the pre-reclamation <br />sample set. For instance cadmium, which averaged 0.017 mg/1 prior to final reclamation was <br />below 0.01 mgA in both the April and May sample set. Zinc, which averaged 3.85 mg/1 prior to <br />reclamation, was below 2.0 mgA in April and May. Sulfato, which averaged 159 mg/1 prior to <br />final reclamation, was less than 100 mg/1 in April and May. TDS has also dropped significantly <br />after final reclamation. <br />These data indicate that the final reclamation activities will achieve the goals set for Windy <br />Gulch. After initial flushing in March, the water quality has met the Agricultural Standards <br />established in the August 23, 2002 monitoring plan. The water quality has cleazly improved over <br />the pre-reclamation levels; we will continue monitoring of Windy Gulch under the plan <br />agreement in Spring, 2005 to further assure that the goals will continue to be met. Sampling next <br />Spring, of course, will be contingent upon flows in the Windy Gulch drainage that are adequate to <br />allow sampling. <br />Thank you for your time and attention on this matter. If you have any questions, or need further <br />information, please contact me in our Grants office - (505) 287-4456 X17. <br />Sincerely yours, <br />~~4~-~ ~~ <br />HO MESTAKE MINING COMPANY ~F CALIFORNIA <br />Alan D. Cox <br />Cc: B. Oswald -Colorado DMG, Durango <br />R. Chase - SLC <br />J. Rowe - WMCI, Denver <br />V. Kelso - Sargents <br />