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• • United States Department of the Interior • iu REI'LT REFER TO' BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Glenwood Springs Resource Area 50629 Highway 6 and 2~ P.O. Box 1009 Glenwood Springs. Colorado 81602 September 11, 1996 Mr. Robert Delaney Vice President Pitkin Iron Company P.O. Drawer 790 Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602 Dear Mr. Delaney: III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 999 3600 This letter is in response to your recent inquiries regarding the status of the proposed settlement between Mid-Continent and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the Mid-Continent and Marblehead quarries. I understand we are scheduled to meet on these matters on September 12 with the State Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG). As I have mentioned, there are several matters which must be resolved. First, there is the matter of the materials from the barrels which were illegally disposed of in the Mid-Continent Quarry. The EPA analysis of the samples taken by HLM showed low PCH levels in one of the samples. TEPH levels also appear to be relatively low. The overall extent of the contamination has yet to be determined, though our preliminary investigations indicate that material in most of the stained areas penetrates only a few inches. However, the depth of staining in two of the stained areas may exceed two feet. Thus, to insure none of the materials have or might reach groundwater, you will need to determine the depth and lateral extent of the contamination by coring or excavation (backhoe). It will be necessary for us to be represented on site when your company determines the depth of contamination. If no groundwater is encountered and the staining does not go past a few feet, it will be acceptable to dispose of the material on site. Otherwise, we will need to reevaluate the need for further testing and other options for disposal. Regarding disposal of the materials on site, it may be sufficient to aerate the soil for a short time period (two to four weeks) by spreading it out on plastic sheeting, and then burying the soil. Aeration will serve to further reduce the level of volatile organic compounds. The aeration area will need to be constructed so as to contain any precipitation that may fall on the contaminated soils by berming the soil along the periphery and extending the plastic over the berm. It will also be necessary to bill you for expenses related to our investigation and clean-up of the oil spill. To date, our expenses total approximately S1, 500 for testing the material samples and conducting a site visit to make a preliminary determination of the depth of staining. I must add that our law enforcement personnel continue to investigate this case. Second, the noxious weeds in the Marblehead Quarry need to eradicated. I suggested earlier that they could probably be taken care of within the existing 52,500 bond for the site. A recent estimate suggests the total cost to be around $3,000.