2016-05-20_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981035

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of land (53 acres total) via case 2015CW3059 on September 30, 2015. Objections needed to be filed by November 30, 2015, per Harris Water Engineering memo dated November 16, 2015. Because water rights can take years to perfect, state statutes authorize the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) to approve Substitute Water Supply Plans (SWSPs) to provide a temporary supply to be used while the water rights application is being processed. GCC applied for a SWSP on October 11, 2015 and no objections were filed by the November 10, 2015 deadline, according to a January 15, 2016 memo by Harris Water Engineering. The Harris memo also indicates the local office of CDWR will review and decide on approval of the SWSP by mid-March 2016. Dry -up water is delivered via the Hay Gulch Ditch (HGD) which connects from the La Plata River. HGD then flows to the Huntington lateral. GCC has proposed and reports that Huntington Ranches is in the process of constructing a lined storage reservoir to store diverted rights for use throughout the year. A Notice of Intent to Construct filed by Huntington Ranches reports the pond to be located in the NE'/4 of the SE'/4 of Section 31 T35N RI I W (address of 8796 CR 120). This reservoir is included in GCC's filing for the SWSP and the 2015CW3059 water right filing. Note that GCC had been planning to use an in -mine reservoir for storage but abandoned this due to potential groundwater hydrology issues. The new reservoir design indicates an approximate storage area of 40 AF with a surface area of 3.5 acres and depth of 10 to 15 feet. GCC has provided construction plans for the reservoir (titled Huntington Pond Expansion, November 15, 2015). Downstream of the reservoir, the Huntington Lateral enters a gravity - pressurized six-inch pipeline which carries the water supply to the King II site. GCC has provided a copy of its lease agreement with Huntington Ranches wherein Huntington Ranches takes responsibility for the construction and operation of the reservoir and delivery of dry -up water. The surface water supply (from the approved 2007 and proposed 2015 water rights) including 53 acres of Huntington dry -up water and La Plata River diversions are the only water sources approved for this project. GCC has not exercised the La Plata River right and may not have the opportunity to exercise it due to over - appropriation. GCC has indicated it does not intend to construct groundwater wells allowed by the 2007 CDWR right, and therefore the impact of groundwater wells has not been evaluated and is not an approved source of water for this project. Likewise, water hauling is not a compliant source of water for a land use permit in La Plata County; therefore GCC's use of hauled water to meet all or a portion of their demands is not in compliance with adopted LPLUC Section 82-186. The County has worked with GCC to establish parameters for water hauling to cease. This is further covered under the Traffic section of this report, below. Water Quality GCC's water supply is classified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as a Public Water Systems (PWS) and has been assigned a "PWS ID" (CO0234301). CDPHE issued a letter dated May 8, 2015 approving GCC's water treatment plant design. The design includes a membrane filtration system, disinfection via chlorination, and storage in a 37,000 gallon storage tank. In 2015, the applicant indicated the treatment plant would be installed by September 30, 2015, which did not occur. Currently the applicant has indicated the treatment plant will be constructed in autumn 2016. Wastewater (LPLUC Sec. 82-179.82-182Ib1) The project is served by two onsite wastewater systems, referred to as the upper and lower leach fields. The upper field is permitted by San Juan Basin Health (SJBH) permit #2007-344, issued for approximately 2,000 gallons/day and serves the mine's offices, bathhouse, warehouse, and generally serves the regular 165 employees proposed. The lower field is permitted by SJBH permit #2007-345, issued for approximately 500 Project No. 2012-0089 PC 4852-5627-2942, v. 3 Page 7 of 32 (DM, VS, DP)