2010-10-29_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977416

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?ZGb Nov Z 6 2010 iS4 Dh4on et R#c w en, USDA Nning and 8VfttV Dolores Public Lands Office ??- USDA Forest Service 29211 Highway 184 USDI Bureau of Land Management San Juan National Forest Dolores, CO 81323 San Juan Center Dolores Ranger District Ph (970) 882-7296 Fax (970) 882-6841 Dolores Field Office http://www,.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan http://www.co.blm.gov In Reply Refer To: COS04/3809 COC-52049, 53227 Date: October 26, 2010 CERTIFIED MAIL -RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED: 7009 0820 0000 6711 0731 Christie Woodward fr. Jvo E Kl a) E FA- 1944-W RR Environmental Coordinator C,AgVXT_10d J01PS wL II}J-- 414 benison Mines 105017 th Street, Suite 950 ?i 1"6 Rn?l wa tE (Z t`.p Z R b L (S 5 V 5 Denver, CO 80265 -`^ Dear Christie, On October 25, 2010, James Blair of the Dolores Public lands office observed ongoing erosion at the Denison Sunday/Topaz mines complex. Heavy rains were observed the day before and day of the inspection in the region, however the weather was clear and windy during the inspection itself. These mines are not currently in active operations, but are in "idled" status; pending completion of the new mine plan and associated environmental assessment. Ongoing maintenance of facilities, roads and structures at these sites continues in the meantime. Two substantial erosion problems were observed at the site which will need to be remedied before they turn into big problems. Other regular maintenance needs to continue to be performed, but no other ongoing problems were observed. No litter or vandalism was observed. A fissure observed during-an August 18, 2010 inspection at the Topaz mine was no longer evident. The first problem is a breached storm water containment pond located adjacent to the road at near the Carnation facilities. The berm which forms the dam for this storm water containment structure has been recently overtopped and is at risk of eroding completely. The pond should be mucked out, and the berm reconstructed. A hardened spill way at the berm's low point would help armor the pond and prevent breaching in the future. The second erosion problem of concern was at a bend in the road to the access point of the St. Jude mine, where a soil around a storm water culvert is eroding away from the road bed. The culver needs to be cleaned out and the hole which has developed on the downhill side of the road needs to be filled back in. A water bar may need to be constructed to ensure that water flowing down the road is funneled beneath the road and through the culvert and not across the top of the road at the bend where the culvert is located. Photographs of these problems are attached to this letter, as are copies of maps which identify the problem drainage structures, as taken from attachment F of the EPP submitted to DRMS. Please attend to these problems as soon as is possible. race g Associate Field Manager Photographs: 5 Maps: 2 CC: DRMS. CDP FS-6200-12a