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<br />SMUGGLER MINE SITE <br />D-3.0 Primary Reclamation Plan <br /> <br />5N Exttlslr D <br />The Primary Reclamation Plan for the Smuggler Mine is to reclaim to the existing secondary <br />land use of the site - a commercial historic attraction -reclamation to an historic attraction <br />requires that the site be left as a mine although mining activities will cease. Fundamentally, <br />reclamation will entail simply making the site more attractive to and hospitable for visitors. <br />Following cessation ofmining, unnecessary mining supplies on the site will be removed to improve <br />site appearance. In the meantime, some peripheral revegetated areas will be enlarged, the fence will <br />be extended azound the entire permit area, and the driveway and parking lot will be graveled and dust <br />suppressed by an EPA-approved allaying agent (Magnesium chloride). Mine tows will be conducted <br />through accessible portions of the underground workings and certain of the buildings. <br />The Smuggler Mine was one of the most famous silver mines in Colorado and it remains as <br />one of the few mines in the Aspen District not destroyed by change to residential or recreational uses. <br />Because of this historic quality, the intent has long been to preserve and restore the mine. Much of <br />the character of the surface features of the mine remains intact as well as many of the underground <br />workings above the water table. <br />Small scale active mining and historic preservation are compatible at the site. Mining and <br />rehabilitation activities will be conducted in a manner that will enhance the historic value of the <br />property. The architecture of site buildings is representative of the late 1800s, and the architecture <br />of new buildings will be the same. Where possible, period machinery will be installed and used. <br />For example, a working steam engine may be installed to power a sawmill. Alternate energy sowces <br />will be solar, diesel or electric. <br />The fundamental objective of the primary reclamation plan is to preserve the Smuggler Mine <br />site so it can remain as a monument to Colorado's hardrock mining industry. Reclamation to a <br />commercial historic attraction will achieve that objective. Portions of the site are of such <br />significance that they are designated Historic Places (see footnote 1 p. 5, ante). This designation <br />includes the Smuggler Mine waste piles. <br />D-4.0 Alternate Reclamation Plan <br />When, and if, tourism is no longer a viable use of the property, the mine will be reclaimed <br />in the conventional manner, to the extent allowed by EPA. This alternate commitment provides the <br />state with a conventional reclamation plan for the entire site. The Alternate Reclamation Plan Costs <br />(Section D-4.7) provide the basis for the financial warranty to enswe that reclamation will eventually <br />be carried out. <br />The Alternate Reclamation Plan goal is to reclaim the site to Wildlife Habitat. One reason <br />for selecting Wildlife Habitat is because this land use is conducive to any of a number of other <br />potential future (post reclamation) uses of the property such as residential. <br />- Z4 - SMUGGLER MINE SITE <br />