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The applicant submitted comments from the Division of Wildlife (DOW), dated <br />January 22, 2011, with the CN1 application. The DOW stated that the site is located <br />within deer and elk winter range, a deer and elk production area, a movement corridor <br />and transitional range. The DOW also stated that summer use of the area is the <br />lowest big game use period of the year, and that disturbance to big game will be <br />directly proportional to the volume of traffic and season(s) of mining activity. <br />Additionally, the DOW recommended that reclamation revegetation be consistent <br />with United States Forest Service (USFS) recommendations. In a DOW comment <br />letter, dated May 20, 2011, the DOW again stressed the importance of vegetative <br />reclamation efforts. The DOW made no other recommendations or restrictions for <br />this proposed expanded mining operation. <br />A 110 Reclamation Permit was issued for the Willow Creek Mine on February 23, <br />1983, with mining commencing at the site shortly afterwards. The current <br />disturbance at the site is approximately 10 acres. Annual production at the site has <br />been no more than 70,000 tons, or approximately 27 cubic yards. The operation <br />proposes to maintain approximately 3 -5 employees, so traffic to and from the site will <br />be limited. Operations at the site are proposed to occur between June 1 and <br />December 15, dependent upon weather conditions during a given year. The applicant <br />has committed to a maximum unreclaimed disturbance of 20 acres at any given time, <br />and has committed to revegetating the site with a seed mix that was recommended by <br />the USFS. <br />4. "I ant also concerned about what chemicals (including gas, oil etc.) they will be <br />using and whether or not they will be using and disposing of then in a responsible <br />manner." <br />C.R.S. 34- 32- 116(g) Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the <br />affected land and of the surrounding area and to the quality and quantity of water in <br />surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and <br />during reclamation shall be minimized. Nothing in this paragraph (g) shall be <br />construed to allow the operator to avoid compliance with other statutory provisions <br />governing well permits and augmentation requirements and replacement plans when <br />applicable. <br />Division's Response: <br />The Willow Creek Mine is a gravity sluice operation that does not require the use of <br />chemical additives as part of their processing operation. A diesel storage tank kept on <br />site is located in an adequate secondary containment structure. All other fluids for <br />equipment maintenance and operation (antifreeze, oil, grease, etc.) are to be stored in <br />onsite buildings. <br />