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!fi r5 ?.aj m *. RANCHERS EXPLORATION'AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION f Box 6217 /1776 Montano Road. N.W. / Aa::i,erde Ne JAenco 87197 / Teleroce (505) 344-3542

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" .. '.- J - s' ps , Dr. Frank R. Traylor, Jr., M.Q.'I . 3!CII ~ / ' Executive Director ''''' ,, -y , Department of Health ,Q. 4210 East lith Avenue ' , Colorado 80220 C ' ' 'A Re: Ranchers' Durango Tailings Project

Dear Dr. Traylor:

It is my understanding that you are now the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health (CDH), having succeeded Dr. Thomas M. Vernon, M.D. I wish to speak with you about the department 's re= arks on current licensing of the uranium mill tailings at Durango, Colorado. Dr. Vernon states in a December 29, 1978 letter to me that, ". . .the current license for storage of the tailings at the site in Durango remains in ef fect. Requirements for main- " taining the current stabilization of the tailings, property access and annual reporting also re=ain in effect." My question to you is, why does Ranchers need a license just to leave the tailings where they are? Are you telling us that the tailings piles are inherently dangerous? In light of CDH's action of denying Ranchers' application to move the tailings, we feel the reference to licensing and stabilization is unnecessary and that any such efforts on our part would not be justified.

We would appreciate an early response from your agency as to the rationale for any current licensing, stabilization, etc. , and particu- larly, we would like your conclusions as to the dangers, if any, that tailings now pose. the

Very truly yours,

RANCHERS EXPLORATIO'I .CD DEVELOP >ENT CORPORATION

// . 'O h / . By M b Flaxie L. Addefson President

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February 14, 1979 A copy of the foregoing letter to Dr. Frank R. Iraylor, M.D. uns sent to the following:

The Honorable William Armstrong, Senate The Honorable , The Honorable Ray Kogosvek, United House of Representatives The Honorable James Johnson, United States House of Representatives The Honorable Patricia Schroeder, United States House of Representatives The Honorable Tim Wirth, United States House of' Representatives The Honorable R. D. Lamm, Governor of Colorado The Honorable Wilbur Binder, Mayor of Naturita, Colorado The Honorable Merle Cornelius, Mayor of Durango, Colorado The Honorable Art Francisco, Mayor of Silverton, Colorado LaPlata County Commissioners, Durango, Colorado The Honorable Dan Marriott, United States House of Representatives The Honorable Mike Callahan, State House of Representatives, Colorado The Honorable Dan Noble, The State Senate, Colorado Mr. Ross A. Scarano, Nuclear Regulatory Cc= mission