1989-12-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 12/8/1989
• Doc Name: Bid Documents ‎(IMP)‎
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

pitkin county
May 17, 1989
Colorado Department of Mined Land Reclamation �. .9,S
Colorado Department of Natural Resources � I
1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Colorado Water Quality' Control Division
Colorado State Department of Health
4210 East 11th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80220
RE: Mid-Continent Violations
Dear Sirs,
I am writing on behalf of the Pitkin County Commissioners to
express Pitkin County' s concern over the recent violations of
water quality standards on Coal Creek and in the Crystal River
resulting from uncontrolled discharges by the Mid-Continent
Resources Coal Basin mines.
As you are aware, Mid-Continent was in violation of their MLRD
Mining Permit and their WQCD Discharge Permit for 37 days early
this year as a result of a non functioning settling pond system.
The resulting pollution of Coal Creek and the Crystal River from
coal fines was an aesthetic disaster and may have had serious
adverse impacts on the biology of both of those waterways. The
residents of the Roaring Fork Valley, and the Crystal River
Valley in particular, were most upset by this incident and
continue to be concerned with its long-term impacts on the local
environment and the recreational/tourist economy.
We understand that Mid-Continent was assessed a fine of $850 by
the MLRD as a result of these violations and that further
penalties may be assessed by the WQCD. We are writing to ask
that you detail for us what further actions your department (s)
intend to take to provide guarantees that incidents such as this
one do not recur and to request specifically that you increase
the frequency of your water quality monitoring in Coal Creek from
once a year to once a month for the immediate future to assure
that Mid-Continent ' s mitigation and sediment-control efforts are
effective.
County Commissioners County Attorney Personnel and Finance Road and Bridge
Suite B Suite I Suite F Fleet Management
506 E.Main Street 530 E.Main Street 530 E.Main Street 20210 W.Highway 82
Aspen,CO 81611 Aspen,CO 81611 Aspen,CO 81611 Aspen,CO 81611
[phone] [phone] [phone] [phone]