GENERAL31128

• Permit No: M1977215
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 8/27/2002
• Doc Name: Response to 07/31/02 comments on operating plans amendment proposal
• From: Homestake Mining Company
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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23/August 2002
Mr. Randall Burgess, District Ranger'
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13308 West Highway 160 perm t / 4-
Del Norte, CO 81132
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RE: Bulldog Mine Reclamation Project, Mineral County, CO
Response to 7/31/02 Comments on Operating Plan Amendment Proposal
Dear Mr. Burgess:
The letter provides responses to your comments submitted to Homestake on July 31, 2002
regarding the planned reclamation activities under Technical Revision 01 ] filed with the
Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology and your offices as an amendment to our current
USFS Operating Plan.
1. Performance Standards and Monitoring Plan
Homestake undertook an assessment of flow and water quality conditions in Windy Gulch in
1999 and has provided results of this assessment to the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee
(WCRC). The Windy Gulch assessment indicated that concentrations of several metals increase
along the reach of Windy Gulch from the Bachelor Road to its confluence with Willow Creek.
The main water quality constituents of concern for Windy Gulch, and the Willow Creek drainage
in general, are zinc and cadmium.
It is Homestake's intent to continue to monitor water quality in Windy Gulch after the proposed
reclamation activities are completed. Homestake agrees to sample water quality in Windy Gulch
and compare measured water quality to current Agricultural Standards set by the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Commission, Regulation
31, The Basic Standards and methodologies for Surface Water (SCCR 1002-31). The goal of our
reclamation efforts will be that of improving water quality in Windy Gulch to meet the
Agricultural Standards.
Table 1 provides a listing of water quality constituents that historically have been sampled by
Homestake in Windy Gulch along with the Agricultural Standard and the average concentration
measured in Windy Gulch at the Lower Weir (near the confluence with Willow Creek). The
average measured water quality at the Lower Weir currently meets Agricultural Standards except
for zinc and cadmium, which are slightly above standards.
6719-D Academy Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Tele [phone] FAX [phone]