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z~68 M MNREn IVEINCTE 101 III IIIIIIIIIIIII III A GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO 81506 999 PHONE: (303) 245-4101, FAR 242-7908 NORTH THOMPSON CREEK MINES RECEIVED October 31, 1994 NOV 0 2 1994 Barbara L. Pavlik Division of Minerals & Geology 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Re: NOV C-94-030 Permit C-81-025 Dear Ms. Pavlik: Division of Mineta~s is neology The Division's letter dated October 18, 1994 transmitted the referenced notice of violation to Minrec. The following discussion addresses the reclamation of three ponds which were the reason for the NOV. Pond P-1 Pond P-1 was a large depression located in front of an 18" diameter culvert. The drainage area for this culvert is undisturbed. The culvert conveyed drainage under the county road into North Thompson Creek. This pond/culvert arrangement was, in my opinion, an ideal arrangement. The pond would allow sediment and debris to settle so there was no concern about the culvert being plugged. The pond was vegetated with large trees and grasses. In my opinion this pond/culvert arrangement should have been permanently left in place. However, the regulations do not allow logic or sound engineering judgement to enter into the equation. The pond has been reclaimed. Pond P-2 Pond P-2 is one of those "mysteries". It should have been reclaimed when the mine was reclaimed in 1987. It has been in existence for over seven years. This pond actually represents two mysteries; 1) why is it still in place?; and 2) why does it take an NOV to initiate the reclamation of it? The pond has been reclaimed. Pond P-7 Pond P-7 was reclaimed late in 1993. The embankment of the pond was breached. Unfortunately, the pond could still impound a small amount of water. it could be argued that after the embankment was