Lead Shorts, Nov 6, 2008: Local Leadville news briefs

Increased activity on 91 leads to more patrols

Due to the increased activity at both the water treatment plant for the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) and at Climax Molybdenum Mine, Highway 91 has seen an increase in traffic and traffic violations in recent weeks, according to Lake County Sheriff Ed Holte.

“There's definitely an increase on [Highway] 91. We've always had a combination of people heading to Summit County to work, and you throw in more contractors working at Climax, and there's a definite increase in traffic,” Holte said.

More complaints about reckless driving on 91 are coming in from motorists who drive the 25-mile stretch from Copper Mountain to Leadville.

“We've been making a concerted effort because of complaints,” said Holte.

“By the time people call us to make a complaint, they've already had several run-ins that were a problem, so at the point they make contact with us, they are pretty fed up,” he said.

On the weekend of Oct. 25, the sheriff's department issued 50 traffic citations, according to the sheriff's office. The average varies seasonally, but generally 12 to 15 citations per weekend are normal, said Holte.

Generally, said Holte, reckless drivers are ones who are familiar with the road and grow impatient with a habitual drive.

Holte reported that one of the motorists who was issued a speeding ticket was actually a person who had called to complain about others.

There have been approximately 500 construction workers at Climax in recent months, which contribute to the traffic flow, in addition to roadwork in several places as well as equipment and material deliveries at the expanding mine.

At the treatment plant, chemical trucks have been increasing deliveries to accommodate an increased flow of water from the LMDT.

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Public Affairs Specialist Peter Soeth said before Reclamation starting pumping water from the new well at the LMDT, there was one truck a month coming to the treatment plant.

“We now have five trucks a month coming to the plant. The reason for the increase is the metal loadings in the water we are treating are much higher,” he said.

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is aware of the changes, but had not made any plans for altering speed limits on the highway, according to CDOT Project Engineer Clint Moyer.

Tourist mine approved, ready to open in 2009

Longtime Lake County miner and locksmith Bob Calder was approved in his plans to open the Hopemore Mine in the industrial mining district east of Leadville for public tours by springtime.

If all goes well, he'll be ready to take visitors as soon as the snow clears in the spring of 2009.

Calder noted that the road up to the mine, off County Road 1 (Fifth Street) is not plowed so the exact opening date may be subject to accessibility.

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the final plans on Nov. 3 as recommended by the Lake County Planning and Zoning Board.

Calder first came to the BOCC in July about forming a tourist mine on a span of 21 acres he owns that contains two unpatented mining claims and one patented claim, which is the Robert Burns Mine.

After an initial review, the BOCC approved an amendment to the Lake County Land Use Code to include tour mines in the mining definitions, so that Calder's mine could be used for tourism.

Tourist mines are held to the same safety and inspection standards as industrial mines, so the amendment was fairly straightforward.

According to Mining Safety Hazard Administration rescue trainer and instructor trainer Joe Nachtrieb, the Hopemore Mine is fully intact with a shaft that goes underground more than 600 feet and contains two exits, a good ventilation system and fully equipped facilities above ground with a phone line, non-potable water system hooked up, electricity and a restroom.

Calder plans to add Port-o-lets for public use, as well.

The Lake County Planning and Zoning Board recommended nine conditions for the BOCC to require of Calder, based in large part on an Oct. 27 public hearing.

During the public hearing, both Nachtrieb and former Executive Director of the National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame Carl Miller spoke in favor of Calder's plans for the mine. The only attendant in opposition to the current plans was Bob Casey.

Casey owns adjacent property and wanted to secure assurances about avoiding any future conflicts of interest over mining claims and avoiding personal liability for tourists wandering off the tour mine acreage on to his property.

Calder plans to eventually create a “nature path” around the property above ground, which may appeal to people who are either hesitant or unable to journey underground for an experience in an actual mine.

It was agreed upon that Calder would account for having a guide for such nature walks to ensure people would not stray away, which according to him is a requirement of his insurance company anyway.

The planning and zoning board asked Calder to come into compliance with these and other items before opening, including modifications to restroom facilities to accommodate disabled visitors.

The BOCC struck three of the recommendations from the planning and zoning board, because they were not requirements fit for county government to make of a business or mine. The recommendations were also already required by either state or federal regulations or insurance.

Conditions the BOCC approved included that customers sign a waiver of liability with a safety and property rules and regulations before entering the mine, a stop sign be added at the property’s entrance to County Road 1, documentation of the availability of mine emergency response teams be submitted to the BOCC, overnight parking be prohibited with exception of a caretaker, that all inspections be submitted to the county within 30 days of receipt and at least one handicap-accessible toilet be added to the property.

The BOCC added that the tourist mine’s conditional use permit must be reviewed annually in November by the BOCC for the next two years, in case unforeseen issues arise.

The tourist mine will be the only one of its kind in Lake County, bringing people underground to a depth of 500 feet. It will focus on mining safety education, environmental awareness and mining heritage and preservation.

New Director of Administrative Services appointed

Padraic Smith was chosen on Oct. 31 to replace Jasmine Hartman as Director of Administrative Services for the City of Leadville.

Hartman left the position in mid October and four candidates were interviewed for the position. The interview committee included Leadville Mayor Bud Elliott, City Treasurer Betty Schacht, Leadville Planning and Zoning Chairman Duffy Connsell and Council Member Caroline Puntenney.

“All four candidates were good, but we felt [Smith] would be best for the job,” said Elliott.

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