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Lisa Giovanniello <br />4557 County Road 124 <br />Hesperus, Co. 81326 <br />(970) 385-7573 <br />easVgo@frontier.net <br />February 28, 2011 <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board <br />1313 Sherman Street, Ste. 215 <br />Denver, Co. 80203 <br />Board Members: <br />?1? d 1 2011 <br />o teld pf tqe <br />turrtf OSa any n, <br />Re: Mayday Idaho Mine Complex <br />CDRMS File: M-1981-185 <br />I am writing as a "party member" with concerns for the application and bond moneys set for <br />reclamation of the proposed Wildcat Mining operation in La Plata Canyon. As I am sure you know this <br />operation (if approved) will take place on a very steep hillside directly above the headwaters of the La <br />Plata River. <br />The La Plata River flows from La Plata Canyon all the way down and into New Mexico. In La <br />Plata County there is a diversion that feeds the Lake Durango' Water Association (LDWA). This is known <br />as "Lake Durango" and currently supplies the populated subdivisions of: Durango West 1, Durango West <br />2, Long Hollow, Rafter 1., Shenandoah, and Trappers Crossing. According to LDWA they currently have <br />1,435 water taps. This number falls short if you include the Fort Lewis Bull Test Station, multiple homes, <br />and irrigation waters all along the La Plata River. <br />If we have learned anything from the Alamosa River (Summitville) when the operator declared <br />bankruptcy and abandoned the operation after the cyanide leach pit was discovered to be leaking. The <br />toxic mess that was left cost the taxpayers upwards of $174 million to clean up so far. Because of the <br />contaminated runoff, the cost of water treatment continues to be $2 million dollars per year (forever). <br />Currently there are 18 Superfund Sites in Colorado and 2 more that are listed as potential sites. The <br />total cost of reclamations surely must be shameful. <br />With Wildcat Mining Corporations lack of compliance and current violations, not to forget to <br />mention three different changes in ownership so far, this is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Wildcat's <br />past performance speaks for itself. The Land Mine Reclamation Board needs to pay particular attention <br />to this company that starts out with this performance record.