Date: 09/15/2015
Final
State Programs to Address Water Quality Impacts from Abandoned Mines
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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02:08 PM -- State Programs to Address Water Quality Issues Related to Abandoned Mine Drainage
Mr. Stover introduced Ginny Brannon, Director of the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety and distributed a copy of his presentation (Attachment D) and a map of current mining stream impacts and restoration in the state (Attachment E). Mr. Stover explained current DRMS Legacy Mine program activities. Legacy mines are sites where mining was conducted prior to 1977, also called abandoned mines. Mr. Stover also identify funding sources for legacy mine remediation projects, which include the EPA, CDPHE, BLM, USFS, and state severance tax moneys. Mr. Stover stated that DRMS is woking at the behest of other agencies and groups and those groups prioritize the reclamation efforts. Mr. Pfaltzgraff stated that the WQCD is working to stratify those programs and have a more structured way for determining which projects are funded. Mr. Stover described several projects and how those projects are implemented. Mr. Stover discussed recent nonpoint source and water quality improvement projects and recent characterization projects. He specifically discussed the Saints John Water Quality Improvement Project and the Pennsylvania Mine Project. He discussed the difference in funding between the two projects as well as the different goals of each project.
Attachment D.pdf 
Attachment E.pdf
02:23 PM
Mr. Stover responded to questions from the committee regarding the difference between mine tailings that are a product of milling process and rock waste that is part of the mining process. He also explained how mine tailing and waste rock can affect water quality. He explained that there are around 500 legacy mines that are impacting water quality in the state. Mr. Pfaltzgraff explained that legacy mines can impact water quality throughout the state, as well as impact downstream states. Mr. Stover responded to questions about the ability of bulkheads to project water quality and whether there are more cost effective methods for addressing or preventing mine drainage. Mr. Stover further discussed funding for the legacy mining projects, noting that a majority of the state funding comes from the State Severance Tax Fund. Mr. Stover stated that DRMS has spent $12.3 million on legacy mine reclamation. Mr. Pfaltzgraff discussed the funding that the WQCD uses for mine reclamation that comes from the federal government and other sources. Mr. Stover responded to questions from the committee regarding the potential for additional hazardous mine discharges.
02:37 PM
Mr. Paltzgraff responded to questions about the need for a full inventory of the legacy mines in the state, including identification of mine ownership, the cost of remediation, regulatory issues surrounding each mine, and emergency response plans in case of a spill. Mr. Paltzgraff discussed efforts by the state to identify hazardous mines in the state and how it prioritizes the remediation of these sites. Mr. Stover responded to questions from the committee regarding the types of remediation projects DRMS is able to address given the current funding levels. He also discussed the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act that may deter long-term treatment of mine discharge. Mr. Paltzgraff also responded to questions from the committee about the need for "Good Samaritan" legislation to encourage voluntary mine remediation.