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Minutes, July 22-24, 19~ <br />D RiMFT <br />Subject To Board Approval <br />In response to an inquiry from the Board, Mr. Salazar said that they do <br />not have evidence or any indication that the problems being experienced <br />are :aused by SCMCI's operation. However, he said the.i do have <br />evidence of a decrease in the pH of the soils and that copper levels <br />have increased. Mr. Salazar said the Conservancy District would like <br />more time to complete an indepth study of this situation. <br />The Board explained to Mr. Salazar that during this hearinc the Board <br />would consider adoption of the Order to amend the Settlement <br />Agreement. He was a]so informed that concerns regarding S(:MCI's site <br />that do not relate to the Settlement Agreement should be addressed with <br />the Division. At that time, it will be determined whether this <br />Division and Board have Specific jurisdiction over those concerns. <br />Staff informed Mr. Salazar that SCMCI's adherence to the Components of <br />the Settlement Agreement should cause an improvement in wa~:er quality <br />over a short period of time, specifically in the waters downstream. <br />Mr. frank Johnson addressed a concern that the issues rai•;ed by Mr. <br />Salazar relate to water quality and that, after adoption, the Division <br />would not singularly be able to adjust or change the standards included <br />in the Settlement Agreement. The Director clarified that the Agreement <br />would not preclude any agency from adequately enforcing the statutes <br />under their jurisdiction. The water quality standards s.et in the <br />Agreement, which expires in 1998, were set by DOH and were based on the <br />standards of the Alamosa River. <br />In response to a specific concern by Mr. Salazar regarding sediment in <br />the Terrace Reservoir, the Board explained that the sediment present in <br />the Reservoir probably began accumulating some time prior to SCMCI's <br />mining and clean-up activities. It was noted that this wis an acid <br />mine drainage area prior to SCMCI's operation and that mining also <br />occurred at this site in the 1800s. <br />Mr. Johnson stated that if WQCC changes the standards of .he Alamosa <br />River, the standards set in the Agreement may also be changed. <br />At this time Mr. John Shawcroft, president of the Alamosa La Jara <br />Conservancy District (the "District") and a late arrival to this <br />Meeting, asked the Board to consider tabling a decision of this matter <br />until the District has had an opportunity to complete its study and <br />present the findings to the Board. Mr. Shawcroft said tie District <br />recently had water samples collected and tested, but has not yet had an <br />opportunity to review the results. He related that a child had been <br />hospitalized due to drinking some "bad" water which he said came from a <br />53 year old well. He said the incident added to their concern about <br />the quality of water in the area. <br />Because Mr. Shawcroft arrived late for this Meeting, the Board again <br />provided the explanation about the historical acid mine drainage in the <br />area, i.e., drainage that was occurring prior to SCMCI's iritiation of <br />mining at this site. He was informed that SCMCI's operation affects <br />only a small portion of the watershed and that the Agreement being <br />