2011-03-01_REVISION - M1981185 (25)

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Mal TI)AY VWGstatefa0-30ple mew &?o.6Xn &revff, 12e 6i. 12472 W 65' Avenue, Arvada, Colorado 80004-2260 February 25, 2011 RECEIV Mr. Wallace H. Erickson HAR 07 2011 Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety Mining and Safety 691 County Road 233 Suite A-2 Durango, CO 81301 Re: E Doyle Huckabay Opposition to CN-01 May Day Idaho Mine Parcel#560128400024 Dear Mr. Erickson, to Cpl -®I Td", Mt&. C-- fb- . - tSs- pop, M,h;n o fR c,1o, 9 ?neS a?a c? a?et? on The E. Doyle Huckabay property is adjacent to the 10-year minimum reclamation-mining project M 1981185. As the authorized agent for the property, I strongly object to the approval of the May Day Idaho Mine Complex application. The application itself is laden with language that cannot be measured and fosters lack of accountability - for example, "disturbance of designated wetlands will be avoided to the extent possible." Habitat management and creation are excluded from the Reclamation Plan or planned future land use. This land is an established habitat of the Canada Lynx, an endangered species, as well as a natural habitat and natural migration path of other mountain wildlife. This is underground mining. I do not read a rule that clearly restricts subsurface access to adjacent properties or reclamation restoration plans for surrounding properties if that land is affected. Without question 3.1.13 spill reporting of any toxic or hazardous substance, there should be a specific deadline, payment for the DRMS to select an independent source to confirm and supervise clean up of all affected areas. It is not possible to blast, move tons of rock, work with chemicals to extract metals, build roads, remove vegetation, and mature trees without permanent damage to the area, adjacent property and community water. Given the exceptions to timely reclamation during the project there will be surface, air and water contamination. Something of this nature cannot be contained by a survey line. The La Plata West Water Authority Board denied inclusion of many landowners, including our property, in the La Plata water tap project; well water is the only alternative for these properties. The letters sent by May Day Idaho Mine Complex promise RESTORATION of the water and property to the quality before the project. To adhere to this, water testing would have to be done that includes elements tested to meet city water standards and this will cost thousands of dollars per test. Responsible protection of the water in our county, given the land conditions and subsurface disruption will require multiple samples of the mining land, surrounding property and all aquifers. Without this information, the DRMS cannot honestly demonstrate that water quality is not affected - there is no proof of the water conditions prior to the project. I do not see funds designated in the project reclamation costs for necessary steps to protect our water supply. There also needs to be a provision to MAINTAIN the present water conditions, how contaminated mining water will be treated including the storage ponds. Clean water is vital for all life including wild life. Sincerely, ]o Ann Greaves, P Estate of E Doyle Huckabay Enclosed: Confidential documentation, NOT TO BE POSTED ONLINE, authorizing my representation of this property.