GENERAL53256 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The sediment pond is required by the Department of Health and we submit annual reports to that agency for any monitoring that's requved. The old placer tailings were not seeded because the Owner of the property (Telecom) wasn't sure if they wanted to remove more material or not. Since this isn't happening, we will re-seed this Fall. We would like to delay it until the snow is about here in order to help with germination. We will apply for the release from reclamation of that azea once the seed has been spread. The next section of your report concerns the re-grading that is being done on the USFS property. A shot history of our problems and resolution with the USFS is im order. Our pit borders the USFS on our eastern side and in the early 1990's, we were found to have gone over our pit boundary and crushed some of the USFS's material. We were sent a Bill of Collection that itemized the amount of material that was taken and a dollar amount was assigned to that volume. The total bill was for $566,000.00. Over the years, we reached an understanding with the USFS and have replaced all of the material that was illegalty removed. We contoured the replaced-fill at the USFS's dvectiw and the debt to the government was removed. A letter from the USFS is included which summarizes this history. The final contouring was so successful that we agreed to continue placing fill at the direction of the USFS on USFS land This was basically to establish abetter-looking riverbank (on the north side of the San Miguel River). We also reinforced portions of the riverbank and seated wetlands. All work was done under the guidance and direction of the USFS. They were also responsible for all of the US Army Corps of Engineer's permits that were required (if any). I met with the Corps on-site and was verbally assured that the project was fine to do and all necessary parties had given their permission. To date, all work has been completed except for some additional fill that will be placed along the north side of the river -this will most likely be completed within the next year. The next section of the report states that we disregarded the Board's Order to cease and desist from operations on USFS lands withim the permit boundary. if that land were permitted, I don't understand haw we could have got into so much trouble by mining it. Since I began working at Telluride Gravel in 1994, I thought the issue was that Telluride Gravel trespassed on USFS land outside the permit boundary. I cannot find a copy of our permit anywhere and I would like to request a copy (I also need for the approved seed mix.) Regardless of whether we were permitted to remove that material or not, we did cease all operations and only went back on USFS land at thetr direction. I regret not having informed the DMG, but all work was being done at the direction of the Owner of the land. It is true that I don't have the documentation for a right of entry onto USFS land. I don't believe that we were ever given a formal letter -just verbal For this reason, 1 have sent a copy of your report and of this report to Craig Grottier of the USFS office in Norwood. I am hopeful that he will concur with the brief history I have outlined and will pll you to confirm. His phone number in Norwood is 970-327-4261..As for the grading plam, I have also submitted a sketch with this report. Mr. Grother can also comment om it since there is no formal plan. I apologize for not having kept the DMG in the loop with the regrading of the USFS land. We got caught up in settling [he bill with the USFS and I never thought that there would be a problem with the DMG. I assumed that the two agencies had the same goal and that was my mistake. I believe that a conversation between you and Mr. Grottier can settle any outstanding issues. 1 will also be happy to participate in this comversation or supply more information if you need it. Please find the Permit Fee for $550.00 enclosed and call if you have any questions. 1 will be callin~ you to discuss the notices of importation of fill by Rule 3.1.5 (9) which you mmtiomed in your August 25 letter. Si~ Da~~vidJJBallode, Presid-ent~~~ Telluride Gravel, Imc.