Laserfiche WebLink
<br />III II~II~I~~~~~~ ~~~ <br />999 <br />J 11 11 <br />OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Depanmenl of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman 51., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: 13031 866-356 7 <br />FAR: 1303) 83b8106 <br />Scott Butters <br />Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. <br />P. O. BOX 806 <br />Salt lake City, Utah 84110 <br />DENVER OFFICE <br />PUBLIC FILE COPY <br />FILE: /1'l-g~-og0 <br />SITE:~ir`(.~K-~ <br />f3E: Camp Bird Mine, Permit No. M-82-090, Interim Tailing Stabilization Plan <br />Dear Mr. Butters: <br />~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT OF <br />NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Governor <br />lames 5. Lochhead <br />Executive Dneaor <br />Michael B. Long <br />Divrsion Director <br />On September 25, 1997, the Division received the Interim Tailing Stabilization Plan for the Camp Bird <br />Mine. This plan is the temporary corrective action for ongoing tailings erosion problems identified at <br />the mine over the last few years. <br />The plan is adequate to address; the tailing erosion concerns except for a couple of points. <br />The beginning of the Evaluation of Tailing Material Erosion Potential section of the plan is detailed in <br />description of what will be evaluated. However, the plan then refers to the abstract qualifiers <br />"significant wind-borne transport" and "abnormally dry conditions." Additionally the plan states that <br />"mitigative activities may be warranted and employed ...giving consideration to existing and <br />anticipated climatological conditions." These statements are not acceptable. Whether erosion is <br />taking place due to a high perca;ntage of fines, dry conditions, or both is irrelevant. Delaying <br />mitigative action based on potential precipitation events will not provide an adequate level of <br />protection. Prediction of weatFier in mountainous regions is often not reliable. High winds that <br />generally precede storm events can disperse loose, dry tailings before precipitation, if any occurs, <br />moistens the tailings enough to stop dispersion. Please revise the Evaluation and Mitigative Action <br />sections of the plan to indicate that mitigative activities wil take place immediately upon observation <br />that tailing erosion has recently or is currently taking place. <br />If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at our Durango Field Office, <br />484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, Colorado 81301, phone no. (970) 247-5062. <br />Sincerely, <br />~~ <br />Steve S. Shuey <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />cc: J. Beck - J. M. Beck and Aaosoc. <br />