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FROM,:1)SFS SPARK FAX N0. :7198363875. Feb. 20 2002 03:44PM P2 <br />%,W'~ ~ UnitedSt~+tcs <br />Deparnnentof <br />Agriculture <br />Forest Pike and San Isahei <br />Service National Forests <br />Cimarron and Comanche <br />National Grasslands <br />South Park ftanRer District <br />P. O. Itox 219 <br />320 highway 2R5 <br />Fairplay, CO 80440 <br />(719) $3ti-21131 . <br />Fax (719) $3(-3$75 <br />s C. Stevens <br />~r Environntcntal Protection Specialist <br />ion of Mittera] and Gcol6gy <br />Sherman SY <br />t 215 <br />cr, CO 80203 <br />Division of Minerals & Getlli)gy <br />Mr..Stevens, <br />letter is in response to the "Notice of lltl(2) Hard Rock/Metal Mining; Reclamation Permit <br />.cation Cansideratian" for Walter and Georgia Ruheck, Topaz Mountain Gem Mine, File No. M- <br />oath Park Ranger District has been working with. Mr, and. Ms. Rubock to bring their mining <br />on info cofnpliancti with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service surface use regulations <br />?R 22RA). At this time, any evaluations or approvals by the State Division of Minerals and <br />;y (DMG) for any surface activity on National I'ore~t System land, would be premature and trot <br />:rentable. For mining claimants to conduct work or mining activities on National Forest System <br />the claimant must first submit a Notice of Intent to operate or Plan of Operations to the District <br />•. The Platt of Operations must be reviewed and evaluated, have the proper environmental analysis <br />:red, and have a decision approving rho activity before the claimant can disturb the surface. To <br />have not authorized activity beyond operations outlined in the Rubecks' 1992 Plan of Operation. <br />see the. enclosed copy. <br />e cpoperative agreement in place between the Forast Service and rite Slate of Colorado Division of <br />erals and Geology outlines DMG's authority to regulate surface activities nn National Forost System <br />la ds kith Forest Service concurrence. Mr. and Ms. Ruheck have repeatedly questioned management or <br />rc ulatory iurisdictian for their mining operations. I noticed that "Compliance with Othei Laws", where <br />applicant was notified of the need to comply with the legal requirements of other agencies; is uo <br />1 get a part of the application. Foi this reason, I ask that you express to Mr. and Ms. Ruheck rite U.S. <br />F est Service has final authority for approval of reclamation on National Forest System land. <br />In order to work mate closely with the Division of Minerals and Geology, I request you send a copy of <br />art fu~ure correspondence you send to any mining claimant conducting activities on the South Park <br />R ge~ D'ctrict to the above address. Previous communications have keen sent to the $ureau of Land <br />~ M ag~tn~t or the Pike and Satt Isabel National Forest headquarters in Pueblo, <br />~~ ~~,, '~Grr~~ <br />S rA P~.N~ ~'~ 3~0 /~ ~ e. 1 ~~ ~ <br />II- ~ U ~ d ~' ~„ ~ II f -7 <br />is ict Ranger V' ~ w a ~ a ~~ ~ G~ i / <br />Caring Par the Lend and Serving People ~ I V j~ ~i ,s,Vd p~ py~yolve pe0or <br />I VVV <br />File Code: 2.$1() <br />Date: /G 26~ OGb2- <br />RECEIVE=D <br />FEB 2 02002 <br />