1992-07-21_REVISION - M1988112 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Minutes, July 22-24, 1992 ~~~-~ Subject To Board Approval 5 In response to an inquiry from the Board, Staff said the operator has provided information that installation of the INCO process could be completed by late September, if construction is initiated immediately. In a summary, the Director stated that the Division feels the cyanide levels in the ponds are being reduced by the operator's efforts. He further clarified that the only issue being considered by the Board at this time reiates to the violation found during the March 1992 Board Meeting. The Director explained that the Division has written no other violations against the operator which will be considered at this time. At this time, Mr. Dean Massey, an attorney representing th? operator, addressed the Board and stated that the presentation made by the Division was accurate in its description of the activities, that have occurred at the site in the past 30 days. He said the operator concurs with the Order being proposed by the Division. In response to a question from the Board, Mr. Massey said the operator has not gathered any evidence that water fowl has been harmed from the contents of the pond. He said that tests of the 3 carcasses found near_ the pond did not indicate that death was caused by cyanide poisoning. Ms. Nora Jacquez, representing the Costilla County Committee on Environmental Soundness, and Mr. Roger Flynn, representing the People's Alternative Energy Services, addressed the Board. Ms. Jacquez commended the operator on detoxification efforts. However, she stated that her clients would be in opposition to any reduction cf standards for cyanide levels other than those of 4.4 and 3.8 as originally permitted. In reference to Paragraph 6 of the proposed Order, Ms. Jacquez said her clients would like for a deadline to be included by which the operator must comply with permitted cyanide levels. She also said she felt that there is a lack of clarity in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Order which addresses using 2 of the ponds interchangeably and ceasing the release of tailings, if the reduced cyanide levels are not maintained. In regard to the issue of independent monitoring which was discussed at previous Board Meetings, Ms. Jacquez proposed that, because of sedimentation in the Rito Seco Creek, independent monitoring include samples from the Creek, as well as the ponds. Mr. Roger Flynn discussed concerns about establishment of and the operator's compliance with monitoring plans. Specifically, he discussed the operator's proposal for a 30-day sampling ~~eriod. Mr. Flynn said that although his clients would like sampling conducted on a daily basis, they would compromise with a procedure requiring weekly analysis, preferably continuing throughout the winter. He also discussed a concern about requiring compliance standards for discharges at the spigot. Mr. Flynn said his clients want the site i~t compliance prior to this year's onset of winter. However, he said his clients would accept the operator's proposal for using the INCO pro_ess (TR-10) for further detoxification.