GENERAL42600 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

z p seven '.fl-.. __. _.._..-- 'the EF'A snould reg3re BMR to post indemnity and water quality bands to nuarantee protection far at least s^O years after the mine closing. ld) Retlamatien: Fl1CT: Eoth the pinon and grassland reclamation demonstration plots at EMR's San Luis Project have failed. Of fl.ftevn pine tyres planted, only three survived after four months. The grassland plots are also well below sustainnble.foreglnq levels of growth-- grasses and fortis are .overwhelmed by invader species, a hummocky profile (with exposed soil between frail clumps of grass). and a poor mi:: of the soil hors.Ons. PMFi !rIEW: The San Luis Froject will be the fir at fully reclaimed minsnq Groject in Colorado history. BMR will add up to.eightovn inches of topsail to-the reclaimed areas. LOCAL CONCERNS: The bMR reclamation plan is flawed an three accounr.s: (1) it does not provide for irrigation water, (2) it is based on the mi:cing of the "A" and "H" sail horizons, and (3> St does not slow far patrol and maintenance of fences designed to keep wildlif= or 1lvestoc)c from overgrazing th• grassland plots. Feclamation in the semi-arid cold desert environment of the San Luis Valley cannot succeed without irrigation water. Thv "A" soil horizon cwnere most of the organic and nutrient material is found) in the Snngre de Cristo foothills is at best 3 to b inches dove. The "E" horizon is characterized by poor organic and nutrient qualities and has a gravel-like consistency. BMR's reclamation plan will mi:: the two soil horizons which will make reclamation dlffic~..tlt or impossible. Where is BMR gettSnq "18 inches of tepsosl"' It certainly will not find it in the strip-mined arses. The EPA should require HMR to post sufficient reclamation bonds to guarantee adequate measures are undortak~n after the mina r_lnsure. These measures should include irrigation, lntvnae me.nagement and maintenance of graaalands, and a more scientifir_ally-sound plan for recycling and replenishing the "A" soil horizon. (n_! Air and 4)ater Quality: Fr1C'f: The San Luis Valley is a closed air basin and ie c_heractc-.ri-c+d by thermal Snvorsions, minor valley air fl.owv, and no snuthPrn o~~tlet for cold air. The 6angre de Cristo and San Juan Mcunt.%.inK serve as barriers to horizontal air flow, thereby trapping particulatAS and pollutants, aepeclally during thermal i.rrvt,rsinns. with thra beginning of construction activities at PMR, air goal t ty in the San Lui s area and around the foothill • has nntir_eable• deteriorated. Uust tra:ln and haze are obscuring vi~i),rltl-y and rnprespnt a potential healh hazard.