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provided a report titled "Literature Review and Analysis of Copper Phytotoxicity." The Division detemuned that this <br />report satisfied the stipulation and issued a letter on October 21, 1996 stating that Climax could proceed with the <br />biosolids project. With the final signing of the agreement between Climax and the Summit County Biosolids Producers <br />in the spring of 1997 initial deliveries of biosolids to the site commenced shortly thereafter. <br />Currently, biosolids received by the Climax Mine aze handled by one of three methods. Summer deliveries from the <br />Snake River plant are applied on the Mayflower Tailing Impoundment. During winter months, Snake River delivers <br />biosolids to the Robinson site where the Robinson Class B operation occurs. This material, combined with biosolids <br />from Breckenridge and Frisco Sanitation Districts are staged in static piles with a 1:1 wood chip:sludge mix. The third <br />operation at Climax is an Excellent Quality (EQ or Class A) composting operation for Silverthome/Dillon Joint <br />Authority, Copper Mountain, and Frisco Sanitation District production. The composting operation consists of stacked <br />aerated static piles using a 4:1 mixture of wood chips to sludge. Pathogen free Class A biosolids can be used as a soil <br />amendment anywhere within the Climax property, whereas the Class B biosolids aze limited by permit to application on <br />the Robinson and Mayflower Ponds only. Spreading of the biosolids is done with aloader/track operation followed by <br />dozer or grader work to obtain a uniform application of approximately 30 dry tons per acre. During 2001, Climax <br />received 630 dry tons of Class B and 443 dry tons of EQ Class A biosolids. <br />The establishment of vegetation on the biosolids land application areas on Robinson Tailing Pond has been inspected by <br />DMG on several occasions since initiation of [he project; most recently the site was inspected on 9-8-03. The reclamation <br />method employed is spreading of biosolids and agricultural lime followed by broadcast seeding and harrowing. Much of <br />the land application azea is flat to gently sloping, and these so-called lowland application areas tend to collect runoff <br />from surrounding land and have high soil moisture content. These lowlands have dense and tall stands of Timothy <br />(phleum pratense) and aze heavily used by elk. Upland areas show a less dense growth that includes smooth brome <br />(bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (poa pratensis). <br />In addition to the above described biosolids reclamation, in 1998 Climax spread and seeded 437 dry tons of ATAD Class <br />A sludge on the face of No. 1-Dam at an application rate of 10-15 dry tans per acre. ATAD is an acronym for <br />autothermal thennophilic aerobic digestion, which is an effective method for producing EQ pasteurized sludge. Eagle <br />River Water and Sanitation delivered this material to the site. The face of No. 1-Dazn was capped, limed, and seeded in <br />the early 1990s. The report of the DMG's 9-15-94 inspection describes vegetation on 1-Dam as "a few areas of fairly <br />vigorous growth surrounded by large areas of little or no establishment," whereas DMG's 9-8-03 inspection report states <br />"(ATAD biosolids) treatment has resulted in a dense, healthy stand of grass that contrasts mazkedly with the azeas of the <br />dam face that were seeded in the early 1990s." <br />The cooperative arrangement between Climax and biosolids producers has resulted in a highly successful project that <br />truly embodies the best aspects of the recycling ethic. What could very easily be waste products with high disposal or <br />recycling costs, both biosolids and wood waste are delivered to Climax where they can be spread as Class B material as a <br />soil building plant growth medium on the tailing ponds or composted to produce an EQ Class A material to be used as a <br />soil amendment throughout the Climax property. The synergy of the biosolids and wood waste production in Summit <br />County, with the viable plant growth medium needs for reclamation at Climax is one of the remazkable aspects of the <br />project. Summit County is a recreation destination with four ski azeas, five golf courses, one of Colorado's largest lakes, <br />and thousands of guest rooms at its many hotels and condominiums. The swarms of temporary residents, pazticularly <br />during the ski season, results in widely variable and concentrated production of biosolids. Climax has a large area in a <br />remote location that allows for stockpiling of biosolids over the winter and makes an ideal location for biosolids <br />composting without creating odor, visual impact, or noise problems that can make biosolids recycling facilities <br />undesirable. Also, Summit County has been the scene of massive growth over the past decade, generating quantities of <br />slash and other wood waste that can be recycled at Climax as opposed to being burned or landfilled. Finally, the runoff <br />control and water management system at Climax makes it an ideal location for spreading of Class B biosolids. Any <br />snowmelt or rainwater that contacts the biosolids application areas on Robinson or Mayflower Tailing Ponds is managed <br />and controlled in the Climax water management system to prevent release of pollutants to offsite water bodies. <br />The Climax biosolids project is a deserving nominee for the Board's 2003 Mined Land Reclamation Award. The <br />innovation, emphasis on cooperation, and derivation of multiple benefits shows the Climax Molybdenum Company's <br />dedication to returning [he Climax Mine [o a beneficial post mining land use that not only meets, but also in many cases <br />surpasses reclamation performance standards established by the Boazd. <br />Attachment(s): Captioned Photographs of the Biosolids Project <br />2 <br />