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• s paye_two-. cb) To_i•cisy__and_Security_of_TailippBt The EPA should aceign its own to;ric mine weste specialist to conduct further stutly and re~iiew cf the toxicity of the waste tailings impoundment facilities. Furthermore, :ne_.pnasibility of contamination of the Rita 5eco aquifer and wetlands due to accidental spills, leaks, or structural failures in the cyanide leach vat system and tailings Impoundment facilities should also be thoroughly invQSti3ateo. Ths EPA should also determine if the past mina-closure plan prnvidas sufficient security against the creation of a permanent toxic waste site within a 100 year floadplain_ (c) F~eayy_Met~ls: The EPA should assign itc awn geochemicai specialists to coaauct a more adequate inve5tigatian of heavy metals in the strip-mining arses. bMR conducted only three humidity cell tests. Two of the three tests indicated an aosence of heavy me-t al s. The third test, which indicated a pr•ecence of he2yv metals, was rejected as anomolaua try BMR. The potential for water and soil contamination due to heavy metals in the ore-bearing strata is serf ous.enough to warrant a more adequate ctudy of aeo~hemical processes Ln the strip-mining, leaching, milling, tailings, and waste roc4: areas. (d) Reclamation; Tha EPA should require thet the BMR reclamation plan include plans for irrigation water, safeguards against mi::ing of soil horizons, and protection ~againct over- qra=inq. Feclamatinn grasslandc should be protected from ovor- ara:ing by wildlife and livestock: this can only bo accomplished if BMF. provides far maintenance df fencot for et least twenty years after the mine closing. Reclaimed stenos of pinon and ~unipvr must be Srrigated to insure a steady success rat o. (e) Fir_ and _Water_Quali~i The EPA should rvquir•e BMR to establish a sufficient number of air and water quality monitors. These should be maintained by BMR until the threwt of toxicity 1s elirtiinateri. Water quality monitors should measure both surface ono groundwater quality. (f) Impacts__on_National__Historl.5_ Dintrict_and C~ontenni~l Farms: The EF~A should conduct a thorough a55escmont of the impacts ~~~ the EMR San Luis Fro~ect an the cultural and historic resources ~~~ *ht~ reglGn, as required under Title One, Sections lUl and 102 o~ NFPFl. The impacted entities include the San Luis National Hi~ir.~rir District, the San L1135 Vega, the San Luis F'eepl6c bitch, and the ar'r--~;, ~•i.entenr•,r ~.1 FarinS".