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iiiiiniiiuiiiiiii <br />.~ __~ <br />M$P.3ILL ~.`rD&L'SOti, IiI`tG & H..aars. LU~ <br />nr-o.ene-s wr Lr.w <br />•/.uL e..«a ens o" <br />fT["«C« O. w~vv,s 20 ~O V~oc" c4e ec cl.• <br />Jv4C5 L. 4[49,LL CO.ORwDO SPB.LYI~§• CO:AaN DO 1090]•?^~ •.c s~•.~LC 19.1 eaa•+ree <br />Junc 9, 20Ct~ <br />J. David Holm, Director <br />Water Quality Control Division (WQCD-DO-B21 <br />Colorado Dept, of Public Health bi. l:nvironmenr <br />4300 Chury Creek Drive South <br />Denver, Coiotado 5024fr1530 <br />Re: Settlement Agteemeat & Stipulated Order <br />BMGC San Luis Project <br />Fadlity Ntnaber CO-0045675 <br />Dear Mr. Holm: <br />This efficc represents the Shalom Roach which is located imaediately. adjacent to and <br />downgradient from Battle Mountain Goid Company's San Luis Proiect in Costilla County, <br />Colorado. We submit these comments regazding t~.e proposed Settlement Agreement and <br />Stipulated Ordu ("Agreement") between BMGC and the Water Quality Coatroi Dn•ai,on <br />("WQCD") and published in the CO[ARP,I)O Srr.TPSMgN newspaper oe May 12, 2000. <br />On August 20, 1999, the WQCD issued a Notice of Violation and Cease and Desist <br />Order ("NOV") to 5atXle Mountain Resources, Inc. and Battle blonntain Gold Company <br />(collectively, "BMGC"). The NOV asserts that BMGC violated he Colorado Wate; Quality <br />Control Act ("CWQCA") by discharging pollutants from its Sac Luis Project to the waters of <br />the United States without a permit. More specincallp, the NOV a;leges discharges to the Rito <br />Seco from a water treatment system designed to meat groundwater from the mine's Nest Pic . <br />and surrounding azea, and d'tscharEes ro the Rito Seco from undermed "seepage froeu" in the <br />alluvial groundwater resulting from groundwater flow from the Wes; Pit. Dowtutream of <br />BMGC's operations, the Rito Seca flows across the Shalom Ranca where sur~ce ~x~.ter is <br />diverted into an irrigation ditch and a local aeecaia system. it appears that ground water <br />beneath tl:e Shalom Ranch is hydrologicaily connected to ground water beneath the 'Nest Pit <br />and the surface waters of tha Rito Seco. <br />In the face of continuing violations by BMGC, any a6teement is prer; ~aiure: <br />Bo~4 •`e C~VQCA and th- federal Clezn :hater Act f"C'~ti'A") prohibit ~.npermitted <br />dischazges;oPpollUtattlS IO the watelS.Of [hc Unltr.d $p[rS. COt.C. R;=v. STA:. §'-5°8-SOl(1); <br />}3:U.S.C. ~ 401. The NOV alleges that BMGC !ins been dscharging pollurans from the <br />mine's V:'est Pii to the Riro Seco alluvitut: since at leas: October '. 1997 when ale-sated Levels <br />of sulfates apFeared is the suriacc water. B?`tGC's discharges : e::tinue to seep into the surfact <br />waers of the Riro Seco_ Despite its efforts, BhiGC lots bus fa- aeon unable to cease its <br />discharge of treated water to the Rito Seco. To date, neither ~t'QCD nor EPA has issued <br />