PERMFILE127005

• Permit No: M1999058
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/21/1999
• From: SIERRA MINERALS CORP
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

REX E LOESBY PE 3037719652 P. 01
•
In years past the foot trail also provided access to a U.S. Forest Service trail that led inco
the Yule Creek Valley. Sierra contacted Forest Service personnel in Carbondale to determine its
interest in maintaining access along the east trait to the Yule Creek Valley. The response was the
Forest Service prefers the route to the west of the quarry, even if access is open on the cast side.
CYMC constructed a new road from the totuist pazking area, up through what is known
as Quan~y Town, to the new quarry portal just below the north entry (Entry No, 1) of the quarry.
This road was included within the affected area of CYMC's perntit application with the Division
of Minerals and Geobgy, but most of it is excluded from the affected azea defined in this permit
application. 'Ihc road lies entirely on private land owned by OMYA, Inc, attd leased to Sierra.
Because the reserves of marble on site could last well over 100 years at maximum envisioned
production rates, OMYA has requested that Sierra leave this road after mining is complete to
allow future access to the quarry area. Attached to this application is a letter from OMYA
stating this request.
7'he lMP (inactive Mine Program of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology)
installed safety fences in the quarry entries in the mid-] 980'x. Portions of the fences were
removed by CYMC to accommodate quarry operatiorLV. Temporary barriers and fencing has
been installed where permanent fencing was removed.
A wooden "A" frame cable support tower, approximately 40 feet tall, is located at the
southeast comer of middle entry (Entry No. 2) of the quarry. This tower was left from the
operation of the quarry before 1941. ]t has become an historic landmark that symbolizes the
incredible efforts of the early miners. By 1988, the tower had deteriorated to the point that it 1>ad
become unstable. Soon thereafter, the Marble historical Society reinforced the tower so that it
does not present a hazard to the public or quarry operators- This cable tower is excluded from
the affected area.
Icl Water Resources: The effected area drains exclusively into Yule Creek. Yule
Creek joins the Crystal River near the town of Marble approximately 2.5 mites north of the
quarry. The closest standing water is located at beaver ponds approximately 1 mile north of the
quarry. In the area neaz the quarry, Yule Creek is a rapidly falling high mountain stream. It
drops approximately 600 feet from the southern end of the New Discovery claim to the nodhorn
end of the White Marble claim. Yule Creek, where it joins the Crystal River at Marble, is
estunated to have a mean flow of 42 and 76 cubic feet per second during May and Jtme
respectively.
The underground portions of the quarry receive water from faults in the marble, primarily
in early summer. This water is generally retained within the settling sumps in the quarry. But
during high runoff periods, some water discharge will be pumped from the sumps. The qualify
of the water in the sumps has been monitored periodically by the Colorado Department of
Health. Records indicate no water quality problems and none are expected in the future. CYMC
operated the quarry under Permit No. CO-G-500184 issued by the Colorado Department of
health. Sierra has received a new Process Water and Stotmwater permit from that ageucy