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Governor Roy Rome i <br />Costilla County an Battle Mountain Resources <br />October 31, 1990 <br />Page Four <br />comoliance oe assureat Ine t,oloraao uepartment of healtn estaol~snes <br />receiving stream water quality standards. The DOH Water Quality Control <br />Commission has classified the Rito Seco as a Class 2 cold water aquatic <br />life stream. Generally, the water quality standards established for this <br />stream category are more stringent than drinking water standards. <br />This operation is planned to have no point source discharges that <br />would impact the Rito Seco. The tailings disposal facility is a <br />non-discharging structure, so no impacts to any water supply are <br />anticipated. There will be no point source discharges from other mine <br />site facilities (e.g., waste rock facilities); the waste rock is <br />environmentally benign material and a berm structure will be constructed <br />at the base of the waste rock to control any discharges. With no point <br />source discharges, we understand that a national pollutant discharge <br />elimination system (NPDES) permit, administered by the Water quality <br />Control Division, is not be required under Health Department rules and <br />regulations. <br />health antl satety of the resitlents of San Luis? An extensive monitoring <br />program has been required of Battle Mountain Resources to ensure <br />environmental protection. Water monitoring wells will provide assurance <br />that the quantity and quality of ground water is protected during and <br />after operations. Surface water monitoring points have been established <br />above and below the site to monitor creek flow and water qual-~ty. Other <br />environmental monitoring includes slope stability measurementsc to ensure <br />long-term integrity of the tailings disposal facility embankment, <br />monitoring of the tailings disposal facility liner, and observation of <br />the tailings material itself. All information collected is forwarded to <br />the Mined Land Reclamation Division for review and analysis. <br />County on land use regulation? The Mineral Impact Assistance Fund could <br />be used to provide some near-term assistance to the county. A grant to <br />facilitate the development of land-use planning tools (e.g., <br />comprehensive plan, economic development plan, zoning regulati,~ns) would <br />be worth providing -- assuming it is a reasonably-high priority to the <br />community. This fund is administered out of the Department of Local <br />Affairs; however, this would seem to be a cost-effective investment <br />consistent with the goal of the fund. <br />Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns. <br />We will continue to work with EPA and the community to ensure that any <br />environmental concerns are openly discussed and adequately addressed. <br />cc. Tom Vernon, Department of Health <br />Fred Banta, Mined Land Reclamation Division <br />2278A <br />