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the site has been an on-going community controversy for many years. <br /> Progress toward confirming or denying these allegations was made in <br /> 1996. <br /> Resources commissioned an environmental audit of a 405 acre area at <br /> the site which encompasses the industrialized wash plant area and <br /> the three refuse disposal facilities. Harlan and Associates of <br /> Lakewood, Colorado, conducted the audit. The site was visited on <br /> May 13 , 1996 to assess areas of potential concern. Representatives <br /> of Resources, Harlan, the Forest Service, Pitkin County and <br /> Minerals and Geology walked the site, and discussed the scope of <br /> the investigation and areas to be assessed. <br /> In the early spring, a local business man and past employee of <br /> Morrison Knudsen, operating contractor at Coal Basin until the mid <br /> to late 1970's, contacted the Division to report that he was aware <br /> of areas on the mine site where PCB containing oils had been dumped <br /> during operations. A tour of the area was conducted on June 5 with <br /> this individual, Pitkin County, the Division and Resources. Areas <br /> where PCB containing oils had been regularly drained from haul <br /> trucks were identified. These areas were concentrated at the Eimco <br /> shop and at the old coal storage/coal hopper area on Road A. The <br /> citizen later stated that acquaintances of his had knowledge of <br /> improper disposal of drums containing oils and the disposal of <br /> batteries in the refuse dumps. A map of the area with the refuse <br /> facilities delineated on it was sent to the individual with a note <br /> explaining that it was impractical for the Division to drill the <br /> three refuse areas in search of these materials, but if the <br /> location of the materials could be approximately spotted on a map, <br /> then appropriate action could be taken. A follow up phone call was <br /> made to the individual, but a response was never received. <br /> Therefore, no further action was undertaken by the Division. <br /> The environmental audit sampling occurred on about June 10, 11 and <br /> 12. Some of the sampling occurred in the areas where PCB laced <br /> oils had reportedly been drained. A memorandum dated August 2 , <br /> 1996 from Harlan to Resources is purported to be the final report <br /> of the assessment. The report concludes that the sampling did not <br /> find detectable levels of PCB's or organic chemicals associated <br /> with industrial activities. Elevated levels of petroleum related <br /> substances were detected in areas where surface staining is <br /> apparent. The report recommended that these contaminated soils be <br /> removed to a licensed land fill by Resources. To date, no <br /> remediation has been undertaken. <br /> Resources met with Department of Public Health and the Environment <br /> in September to discuss the results of the audit. However, Health <br /> has not contacted Minerals and Geology to discuss their reaction to <br /> the audit, nor the outcome of the meeting with Resources. Contact <br /> with Health has been initiated to obtain their reaction to the <br /> audit. <br /> 6 <br />