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Il- l/ II II II II II ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ I , - , The DMG failed to acknowledge mercury sources entering the Dolores River from mining sites in the upstream town of Rico and the effects of gravel mining on exacerbating the release of potentially toxic mercury compounds into the streamflow and only admitted to the truth of this after being examined under oath. The DMG staff stated that there were no significant deposits of iron at the proposed Une Camp site which is contradicted by owners of nearby water wells who have had to install expensive filtering equipment to remove very high leyels of iron compounds. This is important because intake of excessive levels of iron in drinking water and from dietary sources has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Water Quality Enforcement Failures of the Colorado Water Quality Control Division Crucial to establishing issues of concern regarding water quality impacts on the health of citizens affected by the proposed Une Camp grayel pit' was the sworn testimony from staff of the WQCD. However, the Attorney General's Office failed to issue the subpoenas as requested and to which we were entitled to by law. The specific issues to be addressed with WQCD were as follows: 1) The DMG used water quality data reported by the currently active Tam/Koenig gravel located approximately 2. miles downstream from the proposed Une Camp pit in developing there recommendation for approving the Une Camp gravel pit. A statistical examination of this data shows it is not credible and appears to be fabricated. It would appear that the data was not reviewed by WQCD staff before it was entered into the Division's data-base. The conclusions drawn by the DMG from this data are therefore invalid. ( copy of report attached) Z) What knowlege did WQCD have regarding reported sources of mercury entering the Dolores Riyer from mining sites in the upstream town of Rico and what public health hazards do these present and will gravel mining in the downstream alluvia exacerabate risks. 3) What action has WQCD taken to respond to issues raised in this writer's letter of April 25 to Mr. Greg Brand concerning perceived effluent sampling irregularities at the TamfKoenig gravel pit. (copy attached, no response as yet). 4) In light of what appears to be the absence of credible data to establish the existance or non-existance of water quality health issues associated with gravel mining operations along the Dolores River would some