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Site Reclamation Activity <br /> April 1996 - March 1997 <br /> Page 7 <br /> 2) regrouting the American Tunnel bulkhead. In anticipation of <br /> the potential for spring flow conditions to exceed water <br /> treatment capabilities before approvals had been received for <br /> bulkhead valve closure, flow control valves were placed on the <br /> American Tunnel bulkhead discharge pipe to control flow within <br /> water treatment plant capacity. This resulted in impoundment <br /> of excess flows behind the bulkhead and creating a head <br /> pressure on the bulkhead. Inspection revealed contact leakage <br /> at the bulkhead and the bulkhead was redrilled and the <br /> concrete-rock contact was regrouted. Approximately two weeks <br /> were spent grouting and regrouting until the contact seepage <br /> was reduced to a drip at the pressure existing on the <br /> bulkhead. <br /> 3) entering into a voluntary Consent Decree agreement with CDPHE <br /> in order to effect valve closures on the bulkhead drainage <br /> pipes and provide a path acceptable to both parties for <br /> release from CDPS discharge permits without litigating the <br /> issue of responsibility for seeps and springs. Successful <br /> implementation of the Consent Decree agreement is designed to <br /> resolve any issues stated in the MLR TR-14 approval letter <br /> under Commitment #1. <br /> 4) valve closure. The valve was closed and opened several times <br /> in order to evaluate the alkaline injection project (a Consent <br /> Decree - Mine Remediation Project) and to comply with a "water <br /> rights call" on the Animas River that prevented appropriation <br /> of water for storage within the mine. Initial valve closure <br /> was on July 29, 1996 with final valve closure on September 9, <br /> 1996. Valves have been closed continuously since the final <br /> valve closure on September 9 , 1996 . <br /> 5) monitoring of the bulkhead in the American Tunnel for pressure <br /> and mine pool for pH, temperature and conductivity and <br /> inspection of the tunnel and bulkhead. <br /> Planned activity for 1997 includes; <br /> 1) monitoring of the American Tunnel and Terry Tunnel bulkheads <br /> and mine pool according to permit requirements. <br /> 2) implementation of the voluntary Consent Decree - Mine <br /> Remediation Projects. <br /> 3) continuation of the seep, spring and flowing adit inventory <br /> and monitoring. <br />