HYDRO22553 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mrs. Marek -2- May 6, 1988 immediately, if desired, without waiting for approval of the proposed technical revision. As a practical consideration, Phase 1 does not involve the use of chemical treatment, is essentially the same treatment system as previously approved by the Division for use on an emergency basis, and should have limited environmental impact. WFC estimated they might want to begin the Phase 1 demonstration during the week of May 9, 1988. So far as the time frame anticipated for review, approval and completion of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 demonstrations, receipt of a complete and adequate proposal by May 12, 1988 could result in final approval as early as the second or third week of June ie. 30 to 40 days later. If this occurs, Phase 2 could be completed by mid to late July. If problems were encountered in approving the revision, but approval could be given within the maximum 70 day period allowed by CMLRD rules, the start of Phase 2 might be delayed until late July and completion until late August. Certainly the Division does not want and will try to prevent each additional delay from occurring. There is, however, no way to assure this not happening. It was also agreed, in order to expedite the implementation of whatever mine water treament system the demonstration proved to be effective, that WFC would also resubmit the technical revision proposing the construction of Ponds 5 and 6 to serve as part of a permanent, passive (non-chemical) treatment facility. Submittal of this by June 1, 1988 would also satisfy Step 2 of the required abatement of CMLRD Cessation Order No. C-88-017. Approval of this revision, however, involves WFC satisfying the relatively extensive requirements of CMLRD Rules covering disturbance of the alluvial valley floor (AVF) in which the ponds are to be built. It should be understood that submittal of a technical revision to the permit fully describing the treatment system for the Golden Eagle Mine water is required by the Division for abatement of the cessation order. The system proposed by WFC and its physical location, however, are at WFC's discretion. A decision on the anticipated revision, because of the AVF concerns, might require anywhere from 30 to 70 days or more from receipt of the complete and adequate proposal. Based on the above, approval for the construction of Ponds 5 and 6, by themselves, might be had and their construction begun as early as the first week in July. Testing of their effectiveness, regarded by WFC as Phase 3 of the mine water treatment demonstration, might then begin in mid July and extend to early August. If CMLRD approval is delayed until the maximum permitted 70 days has elapsed, construction and testing of the system would be set back an additional 30 or so days and not completed until early September. If Phase 1 of the demonstration does not show the mine to be able to meet effluent limits by passive (non-chemical) means or if the passive system with Ponds 5 and 6 does not prove to function adequately in the Phase 3 demonstration, further revision of the mine permit will, of course, be required in order for the mine to use, on a permanent basis, a chemical water treatment system. Since such system would presumably already have been reviewed, approved, and, hopefully, "demonstrated" by this time, further revision (or revisions) should be regarded as minor and approvals could be secured in a matter of ten days time.