Lead Shorts, July 17, 2008

Leadville mine pool water levels unchanged

In a conference call on July 8, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) spoke with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), regarding the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT). The commissioners and federal agencies discussed current conditions at the LMDT and the water treatment plant nearby, where water has been getting pumped for over three weeks now.

Bill Murray of the EPA spoke of a much anticipated response to the BOR's July 2 Risk Assessment of the LMDT, which found very little risk involved with the site that is currently under a state of emergency. Murray said a report commenting on the Risk Assessment is due to be released by the EPA on August 25.

Murray also reported that a permanent pump for the LMDT is on order and has not yet been received.

Mike Collins, with the BOR, reported that about 1,900 gallons per minute are currently being treated at the LMDT treatment plant. He confirmed that the water levels in the Leadville Mine Pool have remained steady at approximately 186 feet, which reflects no change in the mine pool since the BOR began pumping water out of the LMDT in mid June.

Both Collins and Brad Littlepage, manager of the treatment plant, predicted it will take 'years' for the water level to decline, and pointed out that with such heavy spring runoff, almost all pools in the area and the water table are higher than usual by as much as three feet.

Commissioner Ken Olsen questioned the EPA's failure to run a dye test on the Leadville mine pool to determine where exactly the water within the pool seeps and drains out. The EPA performs dye testing in appropriate areas, such as the Salida/St. Elmo/Chalk Creek area in Chafee County, where there is an 'extended site inspection' due to concern that contaminated water is seeping into the Arkansas River.

The EPA has insisted that dye testing is an expensive and involved process not yet in the scope of their budget for the LMDT. CDPHE, the EPA and the BOR reported that the $4 million committed to this project is spoken for at this point, especially with the clean up efforts that are just beginning. Olsen replied that he plans to do a rudimentary dye test himself, and report his findings before seeking additional funding for the tests from the EPA. The EPA was supportive of this.

Hernandez arrested for assault, shoplifting

Aaron Hernandez, a suspect in the July 3 assault of Carlos Contreras, was taken in to custody on July 8 after being at large in Lake County for several days. After police received a call from an anonymous informant, Hernandez was located at a Leadville residence.

According to the police report, Hernandez attempted to remain hidden inside the residence but was eventually located hiding in a closet. None of the other inhabitants were charged with harboring or hiding a fugitive, since they cooperated with law enforcement after prompting.

Hernandez is now in custody of the Leadville Police Department. Hernandez, age 23, and Ricardo Medrano, age 22, are both being charged with first-degree assault, and also with shoplifting. Later the same morning after the assault, they were videotaped shoplifting alcohol from the Kum 'N Go on Harrison Avenue after they were told they were not allowed to purchase it due to the late hour.

Medrano is in custody of the Lake County jail, but he is being held in Chaffee County, while Hernandez is being held in Lake County. Both are being held at $200,000 bond. Their first court hearing is scheduled for July 21.

Contreras remains at Saint Anthony's Hospital in Denver and is reportedly in a stabilized condition. A trial date for Hernandez and Modrano has not yet been set.

Gaw Shaft still turned off, no plans disclosed

The EPA has yet to explain to the BOCC's satisfaction why the Gaw Shaft, which lies to the south of the LMDT and contributes to the California Gulch drainage, has ceased to be pumped for the water it otherwise contributes to the pool.

The Gaw shaft is a source for fairly clean, warm water that can be transported throughout Lake County's pipes in to the Arkansas River year round without danger of freezing. The tunnel and pump, which intersect the Gaw shaft, allow Lake County to remove the relatively clean water and divert it into the Arkansas River before it becomes contaminated upon joining the mine pool. The water in the Gaw is not contaminated enough to need treatment, which reduces the burden on the Yak treatment plant, which is privately owned and not affiliated with the EPA or BOR.

Not pumping the Gaw increases the Yak treatment plant's burden.

Pumping water from the Gaw, however, most likely minimizes the pressure of additional water being pushed in to the south side of Leadville, further contaminating that area, according to Commissioner Mike Hickman. In early June, the EPA turned the Gaw off so that it and the BOR could coordinate a pump test at the LMDT, and it has still not been turned back on.

Commissioner Olsen has repeatedly expressed frustration at the agency's inability to account for the Gaw remaining turned off, or any future plans to turn it back on.

“It's a shame that the Gaw Shaft is turned off; it's sad, it's an environmental issue, and there is no reason for it,” said Olsen during the conference call.

Stan Christensen of the EPA confirmed on July 14 that the EPA has no plans to turn the Gaw Shaft back on.

14-year-old boy rescued after bicycle accident at Twin Lakes

Lake County Search and Rescue and Leadville Fire Department joined Emergency Services on July 13 in rescuing a 14-year-old boy who was injured in a biking accident near Twin Lakes Dam.

Emergency Services responded to a call at 2:24 p.m. that the boy had complained of neurological deficits after his accident, such as tingling in his legs and reduced sensation throughout his body. Rescuers carried the patient one and a half miles from the Colorado Trail off of County Road 25 to the trailhead. The boy was placed on a backboard and flown to Denver via Flight for Life.

Kay Doan is the reporter for the Leadville Chronicle. She may be reached at kdoan@leadvillechronicle.com.