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HOME9TtiI~E ~~C~~y ~t~® <br />ALBllgllER~q l1=E''bO FFICE Rf <br />AN 1 'S 2002 <br />~i~isiono(Mineratl8er~eproey ManagerC-Grants& <br />Southwest U.S. <br />7 January 2003 <br />Mr. James Norfleet A~e1 ~e(~ <br />Colorado Division of Water Resources ~ <br />PO Box 456 ~N ' 1? <br />Montrose, CO 81402 ~Ci13 <br />RE: Pitch Reclamation Proect ~NA(r p~Rt•L4t1" I'/l~ / 0~8~~~ere~~' <br />Sediment Control Embankment I.D. 280110 (~~} ~ DJ4 ifR / at~$c o~ <br />Embankment Evaluation /Remedial Design As-Built Report /(y{NiR,dt- `p p t,v yt~,G~r/ <br />Dear Mr. Norfleet: <br />As you are aware, Homestake Mining Company (Homestake) has been investigating a seepage area on <br />a portion of the downstream shell of the sediment control dam at the Pitch Reclamation Project near <br />Sargents, Colorado. The 80-foot high earthen dam was constructed in 1980 below the confluence of <br />Indian and Tie Camp Creeks to allow settlement of suspended solids from surface water associated with <br />the Pitch Mine project prior to release into the downstream watershed. <br />By way of background, a wet area was noted on the downstream face of the embankment during the <br />summer of 2000. In order to assess the implications of this observation, Homestake retained a <br />geotechnical engineer to evaluate the status of the seepage, and to make recommendations far any <br />remedial work that may be necessary to assure embankment pertormance and integrity. Repairs to the <br />embankment were conducted during 2001 as described in the attached report. The repair work consisted <br />of installing a cutoff trench and clay blanket on the upstream face of the embankment. <br />Based on monitoring data collected to date, it appears that the cutoff trench and blanket have been <br />effective in reducing the perched phreatic surface in the embankment core, thus allowing the <br />embankment to perform and continue functioning as originally designed. HMC will continue monthly <br />piezometer monitoring and include inspections of the downstream face of the embankment as <br />recommended by the consulting engineer. <br />If you have any questions, or require further information, please contact me in the Albuquerque office at <br />(505) 828-1621 or via cell phone at (505) 400-2794. <br />Very Truly Yours, <br />Alan D. Cox / <br />Manager -Grants & <br />Southwest U.S. <br />