HYDRO30347

• Permit No: C1981013
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Name: COAL INSPECTION REPORT
• Permit Index Doc Type: OTHER SURFACE WATER
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

~ II. Comments -Compliance
Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of
observations made during the inspection, Comments also describe any enforcement
actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the
enforcement action,
The mine is active. Coal was being trucked to the adjacent New Elk Mine for
processing at the time of the inspection.
Summary of Pre-Inspection Events
A fish kill was reported along the Purgatorie River at and below the Golden Eagle
mine. The following summarizes our understanding of the situation based on our
conversations with the Division of Wildlife (DOW), Department of Health (DOH), Local
Health Department, and the operator.
The fish kill was reported to the DOW on Saturday March 4, 1988. The DOW
investigated and found dead and dying fish along a two and one half mile stretch
from the mine water discharge point at the Golden Eagle mine downstream to the town
of Weston. MLRD was notified of the incident Late on March B, 1986.
On Tuesday March 8, 1988 Gary Soldano, District Engineer of the Dept. of Health,
Water Quality Control Division took several water samples of the mine discharge and
river water. The DOW also turned over water samples to Mr. Soldano. On that same
day the DOW collected fish from the stream. Some of these were frozen and sent to
the Ft. Collins office in case further study is needed, Some of the water samples
were sent to the DOH laboratory while others were sent to the Environmental
Protection Agency in Lakewood.
On Friday March 11, 1988, Jim Stevens, Bob Liddle, and Gregg Squire of MLRD arrived
to conduct our inspection. Other individuals who were on site included Bob Holder
of the local DOW office, Eric Lundberg, the DOW Regional Information Chief, Gary
Soldano of DOH Pueblo office, Tom Augustine of Wyoming Fuels Company, Carol Lomato
and Ed Cruz of the Las Animas/Huerfano County Health Department, and Dan Donaldson a
consultant.
The DOW were still surveying the fish damage and taking pictures. They estimated.
800-1,000 fish had died at that time. They planned further studies including
'shocking' stream segments both upstream and downstream to better determine
population counts in the River.
Gary Soldano was coordinating his investigation through Sandy Marek of the Dept. of
Health, Water Quality Control Division in Denver. They may have jurisdiction if it
is shown that the fish kill was caused by a discharge that exceeded a state or
federal water quality standard applicable to the site. Their investigation is
continuing pending the results of laboratory analysis.
Local citizens along the Purgatorie River were not notified of the fish kill
situation. Mr. Soldano indicated that their office had considered putting out an
advisory but did not feel the situation warranted such action. Carol Lomato of the
County Health Department indicated that the local residents used well water for
drinking purposes; she was unaware of any domestic uses of surface water at this
time of year in the vicinity of the affected area. However cattle and horses do
drink from the river in this area.