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III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <br />Steve G. kenner, <br />1313 Sherman St. <br />Denver, Colorado <br />Dear Mr, kenner, <br />Crystal Brandt, RN, FHN <br />Donna i:och, kN, MS, FHN <br />Gostilla County Nursing Service <br />San Luis, Colorado 8115 <br />719-672-;,~32 <br />Reclamation Specialist <br />80203 <br />(~E~E~~/EQ ' <br />JAN C 1989 <br />f~WED LAND <br />RECLAMATION DIVISION <br />The Public Health Nurses of Gostilla County are writing to you in <br />protest ^f the proposed expansion activities of the Battle <br />Mountain Gold Company three miles northeast of kito Secs Creel;. <br />We have reviewed the Battle Mountain Gold Company's Flay of <br />Operation and found that it lac4.:s consideration ^f specific human <br />and environmental health issues. <br />The process by which the Battle Mountain Gold Company plans to <br />remove gold from ore rock is cyanide leaching. Proper Handling <br />of to:;ic chemicals associated with this method and recycling of <br />water bacl; into leach ponds versus discharge into surrounding <br />natural water systems should, theoretically, protect human and <br />environmental health from potential harmful effects. Yiat, within <br />the Rito Seco geographic area, many variables e:;ist which will <br />influence the potential disharge ofi cyanide and other wtaste <br />solutions, generated as a result of the leaching proces<.~, into <br />the groundwater. The proposed mining operation site is located <br />near a flood plain, two natural occuring aquifers, and tfie Rito <br />Seco drainage system. Furthermore, the soil of the San Luis <br />Valley, in general is e::treamly pourous. Due to the above <br />mentioned natural water systems, which occur in and around the <br />mining site, it stands to reason that the potential for discharge <br />of cyanide and other harmful chemicals t^ the environment is <br />greater in this particular situation than in other similar mining <br />operations. <br />Although the Battle Mountain Gold Company has included e. <br />monitoring system in their Flan o4 Operations, in order to ensure <br />"no impact to Rito Seco Creek", we feel that e::ternal monitoring <br />agencies will be essential during each stage of developing a safe <br />and healthful mining operation. It is not enough that the mining <br />company itself plans for environmental protection. All too often <br />damages to the environment are discovered after it is tco late to <br />undo the harm. As was the case in 1975, when mining in the area <br />caused the destruction of wildlife along a five mile portion of <br />the Rito Seco Creel:. <br />One option the Mine Land keclamation Bureau might consider is to <br />require that Battle Mountain bold Company obtain a permit from <br />the Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Control Division <br />before, during, and after all mining operations. In this way, <br />ongoing evaluation of the effects of mining on the water quality <br />