•
<br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
<br />Deparimenl of Natural Resources
<br />1313 Sherman 51., Room 215
<br />Denver. Colorado tl0203
<br />Phone: 13031 866-3567
<br />FA% .13031 83'_-R106
<br />September 8, 1998
<br />iii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ~
<br />5 it~i t OF
<br />RECEIVED
<br />,~ ~ O I"~
<br />DI & GEO OG(~F~
<br />COLORADO
<br />~~~~~
<br />DEPARTMENT OF
<br />NATURAL
<br />RESOURCES
<br />Mr. Scott Butters ~j~~~4~v ~~~ ~~~ Roy Romer
<br />President -Camp Bird, Colorado, Inc. CF LCE v _C RO Gorernor
<br />l ~ L.C ~ ' ' ~' lames 5. Loc hhead
<br />P. O. Box 806 l CCC ~ _ Etecun.e Director
<br />Salt Lake City, Utah 84110 Sl~E: r!~a.~, D ~b irk. ~ r~ e nrichael B. Long
<br />..~.~
<br />- Division Dvecmr
<br />RE: Camp Bird Mine, Permit No. M-82-090, Revision of Tailings Erosion Control Plan
<br />Dear Mr. Butters:
<br />The Division received your August 28, 1998 submittal that addresses revising the tailing erosion control plan.
<br />The requested revision, to use wind break fencing, rather than spraying water or tackifiers, does not appear to
<br />be adequate. The amount of fencing proposed would do little to stop the wind erosion. Jim Beck, consultant to
<br />Camp Bird Colorado, Inc., has indicated that the cost of installing an amount of wind barrier fencing adequate
<br />to control erosion of the tailings, would not be economically feasible at this time. Mr. Beck has also indicated
<br />that it is not economically feasible to implement the currently approved erosion control plan at this time. Given
<br />the reported current financial status of Camp Bird Colorado, Inc., the Division would rather see any monetary
<br />resources available, put to use in tasks that move toward final reclamation required for the site. Therefore,
<br />Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. is directed not to implement the wind barrier fencing plan, as proposed.
<br />Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. is also directed to notify the Division of Minerals and Geology, in writing,
<br />of their decision to either conduct reclamation of the mine within the next two years, or, as
<br />discussed in our last meeting, voluntarily forfeit the reclamation financial warranty and have the
<br />Division perform reclamation of the site. The Division must receive that written decision by
<br />October 9, 1998. Please be aware that, in a financial warranty scenario, Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. is
<br />responsible for the entire cost of reclamation, should the financial warranty be inadequate to fully reclaim the
<br />site. Conversely, if any financial warranty remains after the Division completes reclamation, it will be returned
<br />to Camp Bird Colorado, Inc.
<br />Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. is encouraged to use any funds currently available, to immediately initiate control of
<br />tailings erosion at the Camp Bird Nline using methods that move the site toward final reclamation. Regrading of
<br />the tailings impoundment surfaces and application of available topsoil, including application of seed, is
<br />recommended, even if only on a portion of the tailings impoundment.
<br />If you need additional information, please contact me at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Durango Field
<br />Office, 484 Turner Drive, Building 1=, Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301, phone no. 970- 247-5062.
<br />Sincerely,
<br />Steve S. Shuey
<br />Environmental Protection Spectalist
<br />cc: Jim Beck-J. M. Beck and Associates
<br />
|