[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 35001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14625]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-200-03-1010-NQ]


Notice of Availability for Public Comment of an Administrative 
Order Concerning the Dinero Mine Located Near Leadville, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment of an administrative 
order on consent concerning the dinero mine located near Leadville, 
Colorado.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 122(1) of the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9622(1), 
notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), by and 
through the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), have signed a proposed Administrative Order on 
Consent (AOC) concerning the Dinero Complex Site (Site) located near 
Leadville, Colorado. The Department of Justice has issued its 
concurrence with the AOC.
    The Site affects public land managed by BLM and includes private 
land owned by John D. Lundquist (Lundquist). The Site includes two mine 
waste rock piles estimated to contain approximately 40,000 cubic yards 
of material extracted from the nearby Dinero mine tunnel. The piles are 
partially located on wetlands within the Sugarloaf Gulch drainage, a 
tributary of the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River. Several studies 
conducted at the Site indicate that the two mine waste rock piles 
contain toxic metal compounds which, when coming into contact with 
surface and ground water, release toxic metals and acidic drainage into 
the nearby wetlands and downstream surface waters. After completing an 
engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) of response alternatives, 
BLM selected a non-time critical removal action to address releases 
from the two mine waste rock piles. Under the selected alternative, BLM 
will remove the waste from the gulch and consolidate it into two on-
site repositories, which will be covered and revegetated. In addition, 
hydrological controls will be installed so as to minimize contact of 
surface water runoff with the repositories.
    Through the proposed AOC, the United States and Mr. Lundquist would 
resolve the alleged liability of Mr. Lundquist under section 107 of 
CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607. Mr. Lundquist would provide access and 
materials needed to implement the removal action, and would authorize 
the construction of a portion of the mine waste rock repositories on 
his lands. In addition, Mr. Lundquist would grant a covenant running 
with the land that would prevent disturbance of the portion of his 
lands subject to removal action.

DATES: BLM will receive comments on the proposed AOC until July 11, 
2003. Comments should refer to the Dinero Complex Site. The proposed 
AOC may be examined at the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City, 
Colorado, or at the Timberline Campus of the Colorado Mountain College 
in Leadville, Colorado.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the proposed AOC may also be obtained from the BLM 
Royal Gorge Field Office upon request. Comments or requests to obtain a 
copy of the proposed AOC should be addressed to: Dan Grenard, BLM Royal 
Gorge Field Office, 3170 East Main Street, Canon City, Colorado 81212, 
(719) 269-8500.

Robert H. Robinson,
Abandoned Mine Land Program, Division of Energy, Lands and Minerals.
[FR Doc. 03-14625 Filed 6-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JG-P