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H • <br />As interpreted from the Closeout Report, it appears that the essential OU-2 issues of interest to <br />EPA and the parties are: <br />• the contaminants of concern include only Cd and Pb, <br />• the COCs may be present only in soil and mine waste, <br />• humans are the only potential receptors, and <br />• the pathways include direct ingestion by contact and by inhalation of airborne <br />particles. <br />The State of Colorado, and in particulaz the Division of Minerals and Geology, was not a party to <br />the Administrative Order on Consent. To our knowledge, the DMG was not consulted regazding <br />the AOC. <br />The authorities of the Mined Land Reclamation Board and the Division of Minerals and Geology <br />are limited to those spelled out in the Mined Land Reclamation Act, and in the Rules and <br />Regulations of the Mined Land Reclamation Board. In their essence, these authorities do not <br />permit either the Boazd or the Division to enforce the regulations of other agencies. <br />Furthermore, those authorities are limited in time to "life of mine," which is to say that once <br />mined land reclamation is complete (i.e., it meets the minimum requirements of the Act, the <br />Rules and Regulations, and any permit conditions), the mine site must then be released from <br />further reclamation obligations by the State. <br />In the "Summary of Operation and Maintenance "section of the Closeout Report, the <br />requirements for OU2 aze described as follows: <br />"OU2 will continue to operate as a limited silver mining operation. During its <br />operation, OU2 will be subject to ongoing dust suppression, grading and recontouring (if <br />necessary), and crib wall construction (if necessary). There will be security on the mine <br />site indefinitely. The existing fence will be extended up the face of Smuggler Mountain to <br />increase the security of the property from trespassers. <br />"These ongoing activities are required as part of the AOC with the mine site <br />owners. Further, the requirements of the AOC have been made a part of the mines site <br />operating permit, and will be required throughout the life of the mine, to be enforced <br />independently by EPA and the State Mine Reclamation Board [sic]." <br />The attending section on "Protectiveness" states: <br />"EPA has determined that the remedy is sufficient to protect human health and the <br />environment because it breaks the exposure pathway by preventing direct contact with <br />contaminated soils and tailings. <br />" ... The long term effectiveness and performance of the remedy is ensured by <br />monitoring and maintenance of the clean soil cap and vegetative cover." <br />