GENERAL54860

• Permit No: M1977573
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 12/2/1986
• Doc Name: PUEBLO WEST PIT FN M-77-573 RAILROAD BALLAST MATERIAL
• From: MLRD
• To: VALCO INC
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
999
Richard D. Lamm
Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
David H. Getches, Executive Director
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DI1
DAVID C. SHELTO N, Director
December 2, 1986
Mr. 14ark K1 une
General Idanager
VALCO, Inc.
P.O. Box 857
Pueblo, Colorado 81002
Re: Pueblo West Pit, File No. M-77-573
Railroad Ballast Material
Dear Mr. Klune:
This letter will verify our telephone conversation on November 18, 1986, and
is also in response to your letter written on November 25, 1986.
On September 25, 1986, the Board approved an amendment to Permit No.
M-77-573. The amendment approval included the use of railroad ballast
material for backfill in the lakeshore areas of Phase I. The placement of
this ballast material beneath the water table was contingent upon a
determination that the ballast was suitable for this purpose and would not
adversely affect the water quality. Hazen Research, Inc. performed an E.P.
Toxicity Test Dn a representative sample, and the results indicated that the
material was non-toxic. On approximately November 18, 1986, I discussed the
matter with Robert Rostad of Hazen Research, Inc. Mr. Rostad confirmed that
the railroad ballast was non-toxic based on the E.P. Toxicity test. Mr.
Rostad stated that the material was probably inert and contained no
hydrocarbon contaminants, based on the fact that the material was probably
very high temperature smelter slag. However, he suggested that the material
may have been contaminated by oil, grease, or other hydrocarbons spilled or
leaked along the railroad tracks. Mr. Rostad recommended that a visual and
"smell" inspection be performed on the material to detect oil or grease. He
recommended that any material suspected of containing oil or grease be placed
in water and visually inspected for an oil film. I relayed these
recommendations to Mr. Klune.
Mark, your letter of November 25 confirms that these final tests were
performed according to Mr. Rostad's recommendation. You stated that no signs
of hydrocarbon contamination were detected. Therefore, this letter confirms
that the railroad ballast is geochemically suitable for placement beneath the
water table as lakeshore backfill material.
423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. [phone]
ROCKY FORD LAMAR CANON CITY
G UN NISON