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OS/01/95 14:07 'SJ00 820 1089 ~ <br />' • 3 ~~ DENVER POST CI • IIII IIIIII991f~11~~~1 <br />b~-4s ! <br />Cstilla Cunty Cnservancy nistrict , ~ ,~AG <br />401 Chutch Place <br />Past Office 13ax 42 ~ ~E ~o ~ _~;, (l, <br />_ _ _ _ _ _ ,. _ -.-- ran Lie, culorado sllss ~ 3 a ~ ~ <br />,g <br />Post-ItTM brantl 1 transmittal memo 7871 ." of a~ " _ , <br />o From <br />~J.- <br /> /-~ <br />Dept. VMneN 303' dof ~y <br />'" 83a8ro '" ~.o~ G' <br />~ _ Pax 672-0140 ~=~, ~ ~ U <br />~.J <br />~EASF: lay 29,1995 <br />Battle Mountain Gold again in violation of permit <br />Token fine assessed <br />~ ~ <br />Sal <br />but reclamation bond doubled to $6 million g~ <br />The Colorado Mined Laad Reclamation Board (NLRB) ruled on May 26, 196 that the <br />Battle Mountain Gold (BMG) mine, near San Luis, was again in violation of i mining per- <br />rnit. <br />BMG had earlier reported to the state Division of Nattrzal Resources (DNR that its own <br />internal audit revealed that ground water data and surface monitoring of a Rito Seco <br />Creels gad of been vreoered and submit ~o the DNR, which itself had fail to aatSce the <br />omission. The period for which these required compliance reports were not ad extended <br />frrnn December, 1993, to July, 1994. <br />According to the pond eompliaace report for the same period, the ponds h d ills al e- <br />els of cv n;de fivm March 20 to Meal>`28 1994 The highest tailing pond Level ecorded dur- <br />ing Lhat period was 20,46 parts per million {ppm) of cyanide. The standard i8 4.16 ppm. <br />The Costilla County Coaservanry District, represented by Maclovio C. M tinez, presi- <br />dent, and Nora JScquez, attorney, took an aggressive position. <br />Martinez asked for a declaration of a violation, an increase in the reclataa 'an bond from <br />$9 million to $6 million, and designation of the district as the auditor for thes reports in the <br />future. Roger Flynn, attorney for the People e Alternative Energy Service, sup ooted the dis- <br />trict's position and demands. <br />The NLRB expressed no doubt that a violation had occurred, although ~$MG attorney <br />Dena Massey inaiated that "public policy would not be served' by such a rul' g. <br />Although the MLItS voted unenimoualy that a violation had taken place it instituted a <br />fine of only $500 and co limented BMG far self-r rtin the inddent. <br />The MLAB au ooted the Conservancy District's request to double e r alnation bond <br />from $3 million to $6 million and ruled that the district, through Ma. J~cq z, would work <br />closely with the Division of Nature] Resources to assure that all reports are eubmittad. <br />BMG hoe fired the environmental engineer responsible for the mieaia data and has <br />brought on a new etnplayee to fill this position. The DNR has assured the R8 of correc- <br />tive action and that "by June 24, 1995, evidence of ciraagee in i~t4rnal rocedvres that <br />assure against s recurrence of the problem" will ba in farce, <br />Contact: Maclovio C. Martin z: 719-67Z•8642 <br />MACWVIO C. MARfCVEZARFS1D1AfL • IOE GALLEC.OS. SEOtFfARY • EARL VALDQL 7xEA~t1R1R <br />APrRAtSFRS: CARL05 ATFNQO • LHANOWO MARrAIEZ • JOE C. VfAL7AtdD0 <br />