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f ~ • <br />~ To clarify, DMG has not "mandated to Mr. Smith the recent road improvements were to be: <br />(1) engineered for structural and drainage integrity and (2) were to be included into the <br />permitted area via a "technical revision" prior to using the access roadway this season". <br />DMG specified two problems related to this matter, listed as Problem Nos. 1 and 2 in DMG's <br />November 12, 1999 inspection report. Problem No. 1 indicated that the existing access road, <br />not within the permit boundary, had been significantly upgraded. The suggested corrective <br />action was for Pathfinder to submit a revision to the permit (by January 14, 2000, <br />subsequently extended to June 16, 2000) that addresses incorporation of the area of <br />disturbance associated with the access road into the permit area. Pathfinder was to obtain <br />DMG approval of the revision within applicable statutory timeframes. <br />Problem No. 2 indicated that the repair to the penstock is within the Pathfinder Pit permit <br />boundary and appears to have created a fill and access road that may be unstable. The <br />suggested corrective action for this problem was for Pathfinder to submit a revision to the <br />permit (by January 14, 2000, subsequently extended to June 16, 20001 that addresses <br />incorporation of either, an adequate engineering demonstration of stability for the <br />reconstructed fill and access road associated with repairs made to the penstock, or measures <br />to be taken to ensure and maintain the stability of these structures. Pathfinder was to obtain <br />DMG approval of the revision within applicable statutory timeframes. <br />DMG's May 25, 2000 inspection report indicated that DMG is uncomfortable with the idea of <br />heavy truck traffic on the access road prior to submittal and evaluation of the engineering <br />study described above. DMG notified Pathfinder, in the May 25, 2000 inspection report, that <br />if DMG finds any haul trucks using the access road between the time that inspection report <br />was received by Pathfinder (June 22, 20001 and when DMG approves a revision to incorporate <br />the access road into the Pathfinder Pit permit, an enforcement action may be taken. <br />Subsequently DMG has terminated Problem No. 1 from the November 12, 1999 inspection <br />report because the portion of the access road that lies outside the permit area is not <br />considered to be for exclusive use of the mining operation and therefore is not required to be <br />within the permit boundary. Problem No. 2 still exists. Pathfinder's failure to comply with the <br />corrective action listed in this problem has resulted in scheduling of the formal public hearing <br />mentioned above. DMG did not mandate anything in this regard and suggested that the <br />problems be corrected through revisions to the permit. Revisions can include amendments or <br />technical revisions to the permit. See Rules 1.1(6) and (49). DMG cannot issue a Cease and <br />Desist Order, but has scheduled this matter before the Board, which does have the authority <br />to find a violation and issue a Cease and Desist Order. <br />Response to July 13, 2000 and July 26, 2000 Requests for Documents <br />• The estimated 20 to 30 gpm flow from a spring at the toe of the fill slope, observed during <br />DMG's May 25, 2000 Pathfinder Pit inspection, was inspected again on July 11, 2000. The <br />flow was estimated at 7-10 gpm from that same spring. <br />• A copy of the July 11, 2000 inspection report was mailed to your attention on July 24, 2000. <br />• Regarding your request that DMG update your files with any recent correspondence DMG has <br />had with Mr. Smith; DMG does not have the staff resources to respond to broad, non-specific <br />requests for documents. If you request a specific document, DMG will copy it for you, at a <br />