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V tal s, Boa •` <br />July 6, 2011 <br />Dustin Czapla <br />I u Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Grand Junction Field Office <br />101 South 3'" Street, Room 301 <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br />RE: Willow Creek Mine M -1983 -011 <br />Response to Dennis Smith Correspondence <br />RECEIVED <br />`-JUL 1 1 1011 <br />�NG OFFICE <br />RECLAWTIMMa <br />RECEIVi111 <br />JUL 13 2011 <br />Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining and Safety <br />Dear Mr. Czapla, ✓ <br />Please accept the following information in response to Mr. Smith's concerns. <br />In accordance with DRMS inspection report and subsequent Board order of 2010, significant site <br />cleanup occurred during the last year and is continuing this summer. Numerous loads of scrap <br />metals were removed in November 2011. Two more loads are scheduled for removal in July 2011. <br />Unused empty barrels and drums were removed in November 2011. The remaining generator and <br />fuel drum are appropriately located within a lined containment structure. <br />The Willow Creek is a gravity sluice operation which does not require the use of chemicals. <br />The operation does require the use of water which is purchased from Twin Lakes Reservoir from <br />Pueblo Water Board. This water is contained in sediment ponds constructed with substantially high <br />embankments and dams. Neither the inspection of the site on June 16, 2011 nor the 2010 inspection <br />discovered evidence of water drainage of any sort. Stormwater drainage is controlled by a berm <br />constructed on the north perimeter of the disturbed mining area. Even with extensive snowmelt runoff <br />this spring, at the time of the June 2011 site visit, tailings drainage channels were not observed and <br />only minimal surface drainage was observed. <br />Willow Creek recently invested in updated sluice equipment. This new equipment will not only <br />operate more efficiently but should also reduce operational noise levels. MSHA regularly visits the <br />site, including noise monitoring. The operation is consistently compliant with noise level thresholds. <br />Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions at 719 - 275 -8951 or eai(cbresnan. net. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />a�� C, �t <br />Angela M. Bellantoni <br />and /iironnenLcda 11 /� \IlWennja iiVeS Ilijc„ <br />1107 Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212 <br />www.envalternatives.com • e -mail: eai @bresnan.net <br />Phone: 719 - 275 -8951• Fax: 719- 275 -1715 <br />