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Animas River Stakeholders Group <br />Office of the Coordinator <br />8185 C. R. 203 <br />t`?` ;~/t~C~ <br />/;~, . <br />_. ~ ~, <br />~~`(,S <br />Durango, CO. 81301 "c°,-;::''~;: ;;~ <br />Phone and Fax (970) 385-4138; email; wsimon@frontier.net ..i;:, "' <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 />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 />~2%P~ n <br />William Simon, <br />Coordinator <br />