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PERMIT #: M- 2009 -018 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: March 14, 2014 <br />Mr. Adams with AWES, LLC stated during the inspection he believes the Dewatering Analysis dated June 29, <br />2009 for the site and his Well Inspection Report for Mr. Acord's well dated December 9, 2013 are accurate. <br />The well report states the Last Chance Ditch, which is unlined, lies between the mine and well. The vertical <br />permeability of the soil associated with the ditch is sufficient to allow seepage to a point where it creates a <br />hydraulic barrier to mine dewatering influences. The Division does not believe sufficient evidence exists to <br />support Mr. Adams assumption regarding the Last Chance Ditch, but cannot dispute the claim at this time <br />either. <br />The Division has contacted the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to discuss wetland area impacts associated <br />with mining dewatering activities previously. The Corp has stated a wetland pond does not guarantee a water <br />right and the wetland is not required to be maintained as a wetland if changes in the local hydrology occur <br />naturally or due to man -made reasons. <br />A mining operation operated by Andesite Rock Company according to Mr. Acord was observed southwest of <br />the Acord property. The site is permitted by L. G. Everist Materials based on Division records. The Division <br />believes this mining operation could have an impact on the groundwater well owned by Mr. Acord once <br />dewatering operation begins at the site based on the direction of groundwater flow from south to north. The <br />Division recommends Mr. Acord obtain a well agreement from Everist, if one does not exist and have the <br />piezometer on his property repaired so groundwater elevation measurements can be obtained. <br />The Operator is reminded of the need to submit a technical revision to update the mining and reclamation <br />plans and maps to remove the oil well peninsula in Tract A and indicate the new well pad location. <br />The Acord well location was GPS surveyed by the Division using a Trimble Juno 3B during the inspection. A <br />copy of the GPS survey map indicating the well, wetlands, Last Chance Ditch and the mine site is attached. <br />Conclusions <br />The Division does not believe sufficient evidence exists to support Mr. Acord's complaint that the dewatering <br />activity at the Heintzelman Project caused his well to go dry. This is due to the age of the well and empirical <br />evidence of the well becoming silted in over the past 46 years and the groundwater levels from the SEO which <br />indicate a one (1) foot decrease in groundwater level from 1968 to 2013. <br />The Army Corp does not guarantee a water right and no water right for the wetland areas is approved through <br />the Division of Water Resources. However, the Division does believe the ongoing dewatering activity could <br />temporarily affect the local groundwater elevation in the area. <br />During the inspection, the Division discussed the possibility of installing piezometers, one on either side of Last <br />Chance Ditch to prove Mr. Adams conclusion the ditch is a hydraulic barrier between the Acord well and the <br />mine site. <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />