2015-11-03_HYDROLOGY - M1982131

• Permit No: M1982131
• IBM Index Class Name: HYDROLOGY
• Doc Date: 11/3/2015
• Doc Name: Substitute Water Supply Plan
• From: DWR
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: PSH
• Email Name: WHE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
Mr. Jared Dains, P.E.
Applegate Group, Inc.
1490 W. 121' Avenue, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80234
October 27, 2015
RE: Bucklen Substitute Water Supply Plan (WDID 0302538)
Bucklen Pit, DRMS-M-1982-131 (WDID 0303032)
Section 36, T6N, R66W, 6h P.M. and Section 31, T6N, R65W, 6th P.M
Water Division 1, Water District 3, Weld County
Approval Period: November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016
Contact Phone Number for Mr. Dains: 303-452-6611
Dear Mr. Dains:
•
John W. Hickenlooper
Governor
Mike King
Executive Director
Dick Wolfe, P.E.
Director/State Engineer
RECEIVED
LN0V 032015
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION
MINING & SAFETY
We have reviewed your letter of September 24, 2015 requesting renewal of the above
referenced substitute water supply plan ("SWSP") on behalf of the Bucklen Equipment Co., Inc.
("Applicant") in accordance with § 37-90-137(11), C.R.S., for an existing sand and gravel operation
known as the Bucklen Pit. The original SWSP was approved on September 15, 1993 and was most
recently approved in a letter dated October 28, 2014. The required fee of $257.00 for the renewal of
this SWSP has been submitted (receipt no. 3671714).
SWSP Operations
The Bucklen Pit (well permit no. 67876-F, WDID 0303032) is located just north of the City of
Greeley in portions of Section 36, Township 6 North, Range 66 West, and portions of Section 31,
Township 6 North, Range 65 West. The pit consists of three separate areas designated as the Original
Permit Area, Amendment Area A, and Amendment Area B, as shown on the attached Figure 2. During
this plan period, depletions at the Bucklen Pit will consist of evaporation from exposed ground
water, water lost in the mined product, and water used for dust control purposes. The proposed
sources of replacement water are leased water from the City of Aurora and six shares of the Greeley
Irrigation Company ("GIC") owned by the Applicant.
Depletions
Depletions from the Bucklen Pit will result from exposed groundwater evaporation and
operational losses resulting from mining activity. Currently there are a total of 17.81 acres exposed
at the Bucklen Pit site, consisting of a 17.65 -acre pond in the Original Permit Area and 0.16 acres of
dewatering trenches within Amendment Area A. Pursuant to § 37-90-137(11)(b), C.R.S. and
2009CW49, a gravel pit operator or property owner does not need to replace depletions that occur
due to evaporation from ground water exposed prior to January 1, 1981 as a result of open mining of
sand and gravel, regardless of whether mining continued after December 31, 1980. This office has
previously recognized 5.27 acres of the 17.65 -acre pond as having been exposed prior to January 1,
1981. The location of the pre -81 area is permanently tied to the location depicted in Figure 2 and
may not be re -allocated to other areas of ground water exposure within the gravel pit boundaries. Any
pre -81 area that is backfilled will lose the pre -81 exemption should it be excavated in the future.
Additionally the backfilling of the pre -81 area shall not create a credit to be used elsewhere.
Office of the State Engineer
1313 Sherman Street, Suite 818 • Denver, CO 80203 • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.water.state.co.us