2015-12-29_PERMIT FILE - M2010049

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DATE: TO: CC: FROM: Sarah Brucker, P.E. RE: COLORADO Division of Water Resources Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street, Room 821 Denver, CO 80203 ReeeiVED DED 2 D 2015 RECEIVED DMSOF LAMATION o' c MIIONNING ANRECD SAFEN +�IMION �zu 157,04 Response to Reclamation Permit Amendment Application Consideration December 29, 2015 Peter 5. Hays, Environmental Protection Specialist Division 1 Office, District 3 Water Commissioner Western Sugar, File No -2010-04' AMO1 Applicant/Operator: Va. •antes Inc. Contact: Christopher L. Varra, (303) 666-6657 Sections 4 Et 9, Twp 5 North, Rng 65 West, 6th P.M., Weld County CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL ❑ The proposed operation does not anticipate exposing groundwater. Therefore, exposure of ground water must not occur during or after mining operations. The proposed operation will consume ground water by: ® evaporation, ® dust control, ❑ reclamation, ® water removed in the mined product, ❑ processing, ® other: concrete batching. ❑ The applicant has indicated plans to use other water at the permit site for the following purposes: ❑ dust control, ❑ reclamation, ❑ processing, ❑ other: COMMENTS: The Western Sugar Reclamation Land Development Project (aka Western Sugar Pit) is a sand and gravel mining operation on 102.87 permitted acres located just east of Greeley, Colorado. The subject application seeks an amendment to allow reclamation of the site to include developed water resources as a primary use, along with other mixed uses identified in the original application. The final reclamation plan proposes four reservoir basins totaling approximately 62.81 surface acres. The reservoir basins are currently bonded and approved for either being lined or unlined. The Western Sugar Pit is included in the Varra Combined Substitute Water Supply Plan (WDID 0302535), which expired on December 31, 2014. A request for renewal of the SWSP was received in letters dated November 5, 2014 and December 9, 2014 and is currently under evaluation by this office, pending additional information from the applicant. The request proposes to replace depletions from evaporation of up to 35 acres of exposed ground water surface, water lost with the removal of up to 1,250,000 tons of mined material, dust control, and concrete batching at the Western Sugar Pit. The Western Sugar Pit must be included in a valid substitute water supply plan or court -approved augmentation plan until such time as there are no longer any ongoing depletions at the site (Le. all ground water ponds have been backfilled or lined and approved) and all lagged depletions have been replaced to the satisfaction of the State Engineer, Division Engineer, and water commissioner. You or the applicant may contact the State Engineer's Office with any questions. 1313 Sherman Street, Room 821, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.3581 F 303.866.3585 www.water.state.co.us