Wenatchee, Washington ( Gene`s BMX News ) -- 01/20/2009
Photos - (1-3) by Gene`s BMX Aerial photo shots of the
Cannon Mine Tailings impoundment looking up Dry Gulch
Canyon in Wenatchee Washington in mid spring of 1987.
A vary interesting news opinion from Grass Valley, California
that talks of the old Asamera Cannon Mine here in Wenatchee.
Just adding in a small note quote from and for this:
2. The tailing impoundment created a Dam? Was it for flood control?
Answer: “As in past mining operations, the tailings were minimal and
earth movement noticeable, but it was managed well and in some cases
used for improvements to other areas including the old Lovett mine.
To answer the question since it looks like the city official is
jumping around? Yes, the Cannon Mine tailing impoundment
created a Dam and Yes, it helps out for area flood control for
the Dry Gulch Canyon and the full area Southwest Wenatchee.
The old Lovett mine South Methow Street it was closed in 1967
had its own tailings impoundment and was and still is located
a cross from the old Lovett mine on and next to the Squilchuck
creek. Some of the old Lovett mine tailings impoundment can
still be seen there today. The Lovett mine tailings is a some
what of a dam located on and around the Squilchuck creek.
In all; two different mines, two different tailings impoundments.
Cannon Mine tailings dam = big | Lovett Mine tailings dam = small.
The Wenatchee National Forest does have a man made water
reservoir ( Beehive ) that sits at the top of the Squilchuck Canyon
and Dry Gulch Canyon. The reservoir does hold a big amount of
water in it. - "what if anything was to happen with it' The Cannon
Mine tailings dam was built with the water reservoir above in mind.
Also,
Wenatchee`s history does show a Flash Flood in South Wenatchee
that did kill 16 people on September 5th, 1925. So the dams for the
Mines, both tailings dams are of a good practice for area flood control:
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?Di ... le_id=7927
There is also some new news reports that shows that
the old Lovett mine may fire back up sometime soon. ( More )
This is a vary interesting news opinion story.... Check it out:
Other Voices: Responsible mining, Cannon Mine, Wenatchee
Washington and the proposed Idaho-Maryland project
Grass Valley, Ca -- Monday, January 19, 2009
The Union, Letters to the Editor, Howard Simmons
Heidi Hall – “Read between the lines of mines sales pitch.”
Dave Watkinson – “Mining Companies environmental
groups can work together.”
While reading these two articles in (Opinion and Ideas –
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008), I was moved to investigate the
same source that these two people went to and reported
on. That source was www.geocities.com/cannon_mine
Those articles by Heidi Hall and Dave Watkinson (C.O.O. and
President of Emgold Mining and the I.M.M.C.) shows that one
should look at all the issues with an open mind and investigate
the facts for themselves.
I found out that Heidi Hall works for the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and is on loan to the California State Water Resource
Control Board. You would think that the information she wrote about
would be correct since it can be verified!
People in a position like hers needs to be responsible for what they
write and for it to be accurate! What caught my attention first was
the reported selling price of the Cannon Mine site. Heidi Hall stated,
not once but twice, that it was 700,000 acres that sold for 100,000
thousand dollars. Dave Watkinson state it was 700 acres for 100,000
thousand dollars. A very big difference to say the least!
This sale occurred the summer of 2007 and was posted on Sept. 21,
2007, on the Internet site Gene’s BMX: View topic Appleatchee buys
Cannon Mine property.
Asamera minerals, parent company of the Cannon Mine, sold the
seven hundred acres to the Dry Gulch preserves L.L.C. This is a
division of Appleatchee horse riders association. The land lies
adjacent to the organizations riding stables.
The manager of Dry Gulch preserves, Kathern March, stated “this
really assures Appleatchee that there won’t be conflicting land uses
nearby.” “We have had lots of use for this land for riding and we
would like to keep it that way.”
So, one of Asameres requirements of the sale was, that Appleatchee
grant a conservation easement to the Chelan Douglas land trust to
permanently preserve the land in it’s current state. Prohibit future
residential development and allow public trails.
I found it refreshing to find Dave Watkinson’s also quoting the same
statement Ms. Hall had stated. It was Kathern March’s comment that
they had quoted concerning that the mine property was purchased to
be set up for private hiking and riding trails. However, because of the
mines history, there is still “potential” for law suits over hazardous
waste exposure.
I believe that this is an example of the open and honest approach
that Dave Watkinson is presenting to the public concerning the
reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine.
Awards were presented to the mine owners after the reclamation
of the Mine site was done. Ms. Hall questioned in her article, “Why
were awards given?” “For what?”
The question is, who gave the awards and why? One was from The
Northwest Miners Association. The other award was from the state
Department of Natural Recourses from the State of Washington.
Doug Sutherland, commissioner of Public Lands, looked at the site
and said, “This is the way it can be done!” Also, a Department of
Natural Resource Geologist said, “An ecologically sensitive mine is
one that minimizes the impact on the ecosystem, like water, air
and vegetation.”
Mr. Leiessere, the Geologist said that “the Cannon Mine reclamation
plan will set an example for other projects in the mining industry!”
Ms. Hall did state some facts about the mine, but not in its entirety!
Her statement concerning the tailing impoundment was true. It was
the largest earth structure in the state of Washington. She, however,
failed to state its intended use during and after the mines closed! The
tailing Impoundment was designed for flood control, and to hold the
worst possible weather event.
Other parts of the Cannon Mine’s closure projects were:
1. The creation of five wetlands and restoring
1.5 miles of riparian stream habitats,
2. Construction of a Permanent backup
passive wetland metal treatment system.
Ms. Hall’s statement about where the residue of the explosives would
end up? In the air or the water? Since all of these explosives were
deep underground, I wonder where she thinks they could go?
Ms. Hall’s statement and I quote this “This nine year operation from
1985 to 1994 only and is closed.” “Is nine years a success story?”
After talking to a city official, I was told that the city of Wenatchee was
going through an economic down turn at the time. The jobs and the tax
revenues helped them through those lean years!
I believe that we are in the same situation economically. The Idaho-
Maryland Mine has been a good provider of jobs and tax revenue to
the community in the past. It can provide for the future as well. We
can also have a ceramic plant that will compliment the mine.
The mine permit calls for 20 years before renewal. It could
conceivably go many years beyond that time if permitted to
do so.
The Idaho-Maryland Mine has only been mined to the 3,000 foot level.
But remember, the Empire Mine went down 5,000 feet, and was still
producing at it’s closure. Closure of the mines in Grass Valley was
basically due to gold prices dropping and expenses rising.
As I continued to probe back into the history of the Cannon Mine issue,
I was able to contact a city council member of Wenatchee. His input was
concerning the past operations and follow through of the mines closure.
This is what my questions were and what his answers were to me:
1. How was the relationship between the city and
the Cannon Mine while it was in operation?
Answer: “The relationship with the Cannon Mine company and the
community of Wenatchee was a very good one.” “They were very
involved in the community and with the city during its tenure here.”
“They put funds to work locally through scholarships, parks, and youth
programs, along with the usual donations a company of its size would
make.”
2. The tailing impoundment created a Dam? Was it for flood control?
Answer: “As in past mining operations, the tailings were minimal and
earth movement noticeable, but it was managed well and in some cases
used for improvements to other areas including the old Lovett mine.
3. How well did the mining company address the environmental
concerns and restoration of the land after its closure?
Answer: “When leaving the Wenatchee area, restoration was a large
operation that left most areas as it originally looked and no open or
accessible mine shafts.” “In fact, most areas are used everyday in
outdoor recreation in our foothills.” “Most areas you wouldn’t even
guess a mining operation had been there!”
4. Why did the city council block any other
exploratory drilling into the city limits?
Answer: “Prices and unknown concerns for exploration under the
city led to the halting of the mining, but with gold up and better
technology for exploration within the city limits, I personally would
welcome Cannon Mine Back!” “I love my hiking and biking in our
foothills now and felt that they resorted it to a very satisfactory
level and enjoyed their involvement in our community!”
“You may use all or part of this e-mail for your presentation.”
“I feel for the size of operation and impact environmentally,
they are a responsible company!” “I have no link, affiliation
or relationship with anyone from the Cannon Mining Company.”
Offered by: Dan Gurnard, Wenatchee City Councilman.
Also in my probing, I contacted Kathern March over the phone to
get her input concerning the reclamation of the mine site. She was
very surprised by the selling price Ms. Hall had stated!
“That is not true,” she said. Kathern also told me that the old Cannon
Mine site is now being used by the public for all types of recreational
activities. She asked me to send her The Union newspaper articles,
which I have. She may contribute additional information about the
Cannon Mine operation in the near future.
I would like to again address the benefits that can be gained by the
reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine. As mentioned by their project
overview, published by the Union newspaper October 2008:
1. Creation of 400 jobs.
2. Economic diversity for the community.
3. Increases tax revenues for the City of Grass Valley, county and state.
4. Direct and indirect opportunities for local businesses as the mine
and their employees purchase goods and services in the communities.
5. Payment of five dollars per ounce of gold into the abandoned mines
reclamation fund.
6. Renewing and restoring the old Idaho-Maryland Mine site and land.
I would like summarize with this thought, tourism!
How man visitors does the Empire Mine have each year? Many visitors
would come to the new Idaho-Maryland Educational Center and the
Historic Outdoor mining display park that the Idaho-Maryland Mine
Company would build. Visitors will come to see and experience a real
live working mine and the new modern techniques used. Also mine,
mill and the ceramic plant tours will occur from the Educational Center.
I end with the fact that the Idaho Mining Company must follow the
guidelines and laws set forth by the City Council, Federal; and State
of California agencies! The mining operation will not be given free rein
when it comes to the current laws, inspections and ordinances. Let us
fully support this new venture for the benefits it can and will prove for
all the surrounding cities, county and State of California.
-- Howard Simmons lives in Grass Valley Ca.
CC - theunion.com/article/20090119/OPINION_LETTERS
ACC - http://www.genesbmx.com/cannon-gold-mine
