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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS999 <br /> T San Juan County <br /> P.O. Box 466 Silverton, Colorado 81433 303-387-5671 <br /> ✓' y--' <br /> Mined Land Reclamation Board November 15 , 1093 <br /> Division of Minerals and Geology <br /> 1313 Sherman Street , Room 215 <br /> Denver , Colorado 80203 <br /> 11 C O �'V► L A)TS <br /> Att : Allen C . Sorenson <br /> Dear Mr . Sorenson, <br /> can Juan County has received your response to the letter sent by <br /> Commissioner Perino on September 27th regarding the placement of concrete <br /> bulkheads at the Sunnyside Mine. As you will recall , it was Commissioner <br /> Perino ' s feeling that Sunnyside Gold Corp. should be absolved of all water <br /> treatment responsibility and liability without the requirement of placing <br /> concrete bulkheads at the portals . The installation of these bulkheads <br /> will make the mine useless for any future mining activity. <br /> Sunnyside Gold has already been required to upgrade the mine discharge <br /> water to drinking quality. This water is then released into Cement Creek <br /> which is , and has been, naturally polluted since long before mining came to <br /> San Juan County. It is our understanding that Sunnyside Gold has made the <br /> request to be able to discontinue the treatment of this water. We support <br /> them in this request . <br /> You indicate , in a letter to Sunnyside Gold, that even if they do plug <br /> the portals they could still be liable for damage or pollution caused by <br /> water, which would normally exit through the portals , but may now leak from <br /> new sources in the mountain. This potential liability has the effect of <br /> imposing a very severe penalty upon Sunnyside Gold in particular , and the <br /> entire mining industry in general . <br /> The loss of mining in San Juan County has created economic chaos for <br /> both county government and the people that it serves . Over 300 of our <br /> local residents have been severely affected, with most being forced to move <br /> from their homes and relocate elsewhere, outside of the county. Revenue <br /> from property tax, production tax and personal property tax has declined <br /> drastically and forced the county into financial uncertainty. <br />