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Animas River Stakeholders Group ~~,,, <br />Office of the Coordinator `'~ ~ 7 ;,,,, <br />,S <br />8185 C. R. 203 p;~.V,C~,,.,,;h <br />cy.,, -.~,;y <br />Durango, CO. 81301 `O° '" cO °` <br />Phone and Fax (970) 385-4138; email: wsimonC~frontier.net r `.i,~V o0 <br />9Y <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Mr. Wally Erickson <br />701 Camino del Rio, R. 125 <br />Durango, CO 80301 <br />RE: Jack Clark Gravel Mine Permit <br />October 31, 2005 <br />iJPpe%A,, „has .SGnCI ~G~a /e ~ ~ t <br />/Vl-2oo5-v~S ~ <br />~„y'Mmen~i an ctPP I~cR.{-ron ~,~/ <br />The Animas River Stakeholders Group is a well established, collaborative group of <br />agencies, land owners, mining companies, and environmental advocates that are <br />dedicated to making significant improvements in water quality in the Upper Animas <br />watershed through the remediation of mine impacted sites. Mr. Jack Clark recently <br />attended an Animas River Stakeholders Group meeting requesting that we comment on <br />any issues the Stakeholders may have concerning his proposed gravel mining operation. <br />He displayed a map of the proposed mine site and gave details on the total acreage and <br />depth of the proposed excavation area. Many ARSG participants are well aware of the <br />need for a gravel source in San Juan County and were in general support of his plan. <br />A discussion ensued that was centered on assuring that the gravels to be mined are not <br />contaminated with mill tailings from historic river disposals. Tailings can be a serious <br />source of metal pollution to nearby streams if re-mobilized through mining or spreading <br />of gravels (e.g. on County Roads). For over 50 years tailings were disposed directly into <br />the Animas River upstream of the subject site. Most of these were likely confined to the <br />normal stream channel which is not part of the mine plan area. However, past flood <br />events also removed extensive tailings impoundments in the floodplain at Eureka, which <br />lies upstream of the proposed mine. These could have been deposited onto higher ground <br />in the floodplain. ARSG participants suggested that a site wide analysis of the sand <br />content of the alluvium to be mined be completed before mining ensued. This suggestion <br />appeared to be well received by Mr. Clark, as it would help ensure the marketability of <br />his product while meeting our goal of eliminating a potential source of future pollution to <br />nearby streams. This letter is meant to be supportive of Mr. Clark's plan while notifying <br />the Division of an issue of our concern. <br />Sincerely, <br />-44 LG~M~LCrnur, <br />William Simon, <br />Coordinator <br />RF~~9A~~~ <br />ov e <br />~iris~an n/ ' 4 <~nc <br />~op,~isaN ~J <br />~Gep~09Y <br />