1995-02-08_REVISION - M1977493 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Biosolid Land Application Program Fe 08 Climax Mine - Robinson Tailing Pond `��v�sionoi n 1995 1995 rV/ era�s� Background Go%gy In 1977, the writers of the Climax Mine Reclamation Permit made reference to revegetation of the mines' high elevation disturbances using sewage sludge (currently termed biosolids) . The source of biosolids identified in the reclamation document was Summit County where there are five independent wastewater treatment plants in an area of high population growth. To date, biosolids generated in Summit County have been transported to the county landfill for disposal and composting. Due in part to local pressure to reduce landfill use and due to steep disposal costs, Summit County producers of biosolids sought alternatives to disposal. Ongoing dialog with Climax Molybdenum Company seeking development of a land application program at Climax resulted in an agreement between Climax and the Snake River Wastewater Treatment Plant in 1990. Under a Notice of Authorization issued to the Snake River Plant in June of that year, Climax began accepting biosolids at the Mayflower Tailings Impoundment located at the north end of the Climax Mine. Vegetative response to the application of biosolids at the Mayflower Tailing Pond appears favorable at this time. Detailed study is planned for 1995. The Mayflower Tailing Impoundment is authorized to receive 20 tons of dry sludge per acre as an initial application followed by a maintenance application of sludge not to exceed 66 pounds per acre of plant available nitrogen. Based on a nitrogen content of 3%, the maintenance application for the Mayflower land application site is 2 . 18 tons per acre. Expansion of the Biosolids Program In July of 1994 Summit County producers of biosolids renewed efforts to expand the land application program at Climax under the new ownership of Cyprus Amax Minerals Company. Climax Molybdenum and the Summit County producers put together an acceptable .agreement and submitted an application for a Notice of Authorization under the Colorado Biosolids Regulation (5 CCR 1002-19, 4 .9. 0) to land apply Grade B biosolids on 320 acres of the Robinson Tailing Impoundment that was capped during the summer of 1994. A Notice of Authorization was issued to the producers in Summit County on December 15, 1994. The stipulations in the Notice of Authorization pertinent to this summary included the authorization to apply Grade B sludge with greater than 14% solids on the 320 acre parcel. The Notice further stipulates that the application be no greater than that amount equal to 75 pounds of plant available nitrogen per acre. Given that a total of 1000 dry tons is anticipated annually from