2011-03-31_REVISION - M1977493 (3)

Home Browse Search

CLIMAX PRE-HEARING STATEMENT AM-06 APPLICATION, PERMIT No. M-1977-493 MARCH 31, 2011 • Ex. 77, 5/13/99 Letter from Climax to Division of Minerals and Geology re: results of analyses conducted at Eagle Park Reservoir during 1998- 1999 delivery period; • Ex. 78, 9/5/00 Letter from Climax to Division of Minerals and Geology re: Eagle Park Reservoir Water Quality 1999-2000; • Ex. 73, 1/03 Aquatics Associates Report of Results of Limnological Monitoring; • Ex. 67 at CM0001597-1598, June 17, 2003 ltr from A. Sorenson to B. Romig re: satisfaction of conditions for SR-02 (in re: Ex. 75, 8/26/98 ltr from A. Sorenson); and • Ex. 96, Eagle Valley Monitoring Well data 1993- present. 2. Tenmile Basin There are extensive water handling facilities and other EPFs in place in the Tenmile Creek basin that provide environmental protection to Tenmile Creek, and these facilities do not impact the quality or quantity of water in Clinton Gulch Reservoir because they are downgradient of the reservoir. As is evident from Exhibit 97, an undated photograph of Clinton Gulch Reservoir, impacted water from Climax processes, including tailings ponds, are all "downhill" from Clinton Gulch Reservoir and therefore Climax activities do not impact water quality and quantity at that reservoir. There is no minim activity in the tributary stream (Clinton Creek) where Clinton Gulch Reservoir is located. Climax's East Interceptor, which consists of an open ditch, pipe, and inlets that intercept clean runoff from the hillsides on the east side (upgradient from) the tailing facility, does deliver water through Clinton Gulch Reservoir down to Climax's discharge point on Tenmile Creek. This Tenmile Creek discharge point is the only permitted point of discharge from the Climax system, and quality is controlled by a Colorado NPDES permit and discharges meet applicable Colorado water quality standards. The upstream end of the East Interceptor is McNulty Gulch. Currently, a divider wall is in place that diverts impacted water runoff from the McNulty Overburden Storage Facility ("OSF") towards the tailings facilities, and clean water to the East Interceptor. Exhibit 61 is an aerial photograph of this McNulty Gulch interceptor; Exhibit 62 is a schematic of the facility. This facility ensures that impacted water is not delivered from McNulty OSF through the East Interceptor to Clinton Gulch Reservoir. The mine plan included in the AM-06 application describes expansion of overburden storage in McNulty OSF. However, prior to material being placed there, the East Interceptor will be truncated so that no impacted water is diverted into the East Interceptor or Clinton Gulch Reservoir. 13