2010-09-13_HYDROLOGY - M1981185 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2006-069 & M-2010-003 INSPECTION DATE 6/3/10 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE OBSERVATIONS This inspection occurred as part of the Office's review process of a 110(2) permit application for the Idaho Mine, File No. M-2010-003; to verify compliance with the Cease and Desist Orders for Violations MV-2009-007 and MV- 2009-033, issued previously to the Idaho Mill, File No. M-2006-069; and in response to a citizen's complaint from Dave Linden, dated May 8, 2010 and received by the Office on May 10, 2010. On May 26, 2010, the Office also received a complaint from Lisa Giovanniello, by email, which was addressed to Marianna Spishock (La Plata County Code Enforcement), and copied to the Office. As a matter of policy, the Office conducts investigations in response to written complaints and this investigation occurred in response to the written complaint submitted by Mr. Linden. As a point of clarification the Office is forwarding copy of this inspection report to Ms. Giovanniello and Ms. Spishock. Mr. Linden raised issues at the Idaho Mill, M-2006-069; Idaho Mine, M-2010-003; and the May Day Mine, M- 1981-185. This report is limited to observations for the Idaho Mill and Idaho Mine. Observations specific to the May Day Mine are recorded in a separate report for that file. This report is accompanied by copy of the complaint from Mr. Linden, email correspondence from Ms. Giovanniello and 12 photos. Illegal Access Road from County Road 124 to Bridge for La Plata River - Construction of the unapproved access road, portions of which are shown in photos one through nine, resulted in Violation MV-2009-007. Violation MV- 2009-007 was issued March 11, 2009, to Wildcat Mining Corporation (Operator) for the Idaho Mill. Subsequent to the issuance of Violation MV-2009-007, the Operator continued to use the illegal road to support mining activities, which resulted in Violation MV-2009-033. Violation MV-2009-033 was issued December 10, 2009. The Cease and Desist Order for Violation MV-2009-033 reiterated that the illegal road cannot be utilized to support mining related activities until the Operator incorporates the road into an approved reclamation permit. On May 4, 2010, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) conducted a site inspection of the May Day Mine, located nearby the Idaho Mine. Apparently, the MSHA inspector utilized the unpermitted road to access the"May Day Mine. The vehicle tracks, observed by Mr. Linden on May 7th and reported to the Office on May 10th, appear to have resulted from the MSHA inspection. During a May 13, 2010 hearing, the Board modified the Cease and Desist Order for Violation MV-2009-033 to allow the Operator to conduct a geotechnical reconnaissance on the illegal road. The geotechnical reconnaissance work was necessary to develop an engineering plan, which was to address repair and stabilization of the poorly constructed road. The geotechnical reconnaissance occurred on May 22, 2010, and included the digging of three test pits in the road fill material. The Office received the report from the geotechnical reconnaissance but never received the engineering plan whereby the road might be fixed. The correspondence from Ms. Giovanniello, dated May 26th, correlates with the May 22"d geotechnical reconnaissance work. However, the geotechnical work utilized a rubber-tired backhoe and not tracked equipment. During this June 3rd inspection, the Office observed grouser marks, evidence of tracked equipment, on the unpermitted road and is investigating the potentially unapproved use of the road. As shown in photo eight, an unapproved water bar has been constructed in the illegal road. The water bar will