1995-02-20_REVISION - M1977493

• Permit No: M1977493
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 2/20/1995
• Doc Name: Adequacy Review
• From: DMG
• To: Climax Molyb
• Type & Sequence: TR9
• Email Name: ACS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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999
STATE OF COLORADO,
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources Pow, ,7tv,
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver,Colorado 80203
Phone:[phone]
FAX:[phone]
DEPARTMENT OF
DATE: February 15, 1995 NATURAL
RESOURCES
TO: Allen C. Sorenson, Gregg Squire Roy Romer
Governor
FROM: Carl B. Mount 1/ James S.Lochhe ad
Executive Director
a Sludge Application at the Climax Mine Michael B.Long
RE: Sewage g pp � Division Director
Permit M-77-493.
This memo is in reference to your request of February 13, 1995 for
review of a letter sent to you from Mr. Bryce R. Romig dated
February 3, 1995 and received February 8, 1995. The letter attempts
to summarize the proposed biosolids (sewage sludge) application
program on the Climax Mine. I would like to state that I believe that
application of biosolids would produce a far better reclamation
product than application of the chemical fertilizers presently
permitted. I have the following comments on this letter:
1) Without more information on the waste rock cover material that is
being used over the tailings, it is hard to determine which
liming and sewage sludge application rates are the best for
vegetation establishment and long-term vegetative cover. More
information is needed to determine the acid forming potential of
the cover material to determine how much of these soil amendments
(lime and sludge) are required to enhance revegetation potential.
Analyses of phytotoxic constituents (mainly metals) in the cover
material would also be useful in making a decision on application
rates.
2) More information is needed on the type of lime, size of lime
particles (grades) and rate(s) and method(s) of application to
determine the relationship of this activity to amelioration of
any acid forming potential of the cover material and sludge
application and ultimately to long-term plant growth.
3) More information' is needed on the sludge itself. The main
concern here is that, at higher application rates, the salts
included in the sludge may have direct toxic effects on plants.
4) I see no problem with the use of high quality sewage sludge
anywhere on this site so long as the above characterizations are
known with some certainty.
Until the above information is submitted, it is hard to make an
educated judgement on what sludge application rates are suitable.