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lainTransit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Water Quality <br /> Objector Comment: No testing of quarry material was conducted to confirm if heavy metals exist <br /> and could be released into the watershed. Metals are present in nearby wells and may be present <br /> in the mined rock even though they were not identified/encountered in the test wells. The <br /> presence of pyrite in the rock could cause mobilization of metals. Contamination from mining <br /> operations can travel very quickly through the underground fracture system to affect domestic <br /> wells. The permit application does not adequately demonstrate that there will be no <br /> unauthorized release of pollutants to groundwater from fines, fuel oils stored, and hydraulic <br /> fluids used within the quarry operation area. <br /> Response: Observations of drill core samples, surface outcrops, and from road cuttings did not <br /> indicate the presence of metalliferous minerals or other minerals that could be detrimental to <br /> surface or ground water. Similarly, no evidence of mineralization that may be associated with <br /> high concentrations of precious metals, base metals or industrial minerals other than aggregate <br /> stone were observed in any of the samples taken on the Hitch Rack Ranch property. All evidence <br /> collected thus far from field exploration on the property indicates that the probability of finding <br /> precious metals, base metals and/or other industrial minerals on the Hitch Rack Ranch property <br /> is considered remote. <br /> Transit Mix has been monitoring the flow and water quality of Little Turkey Creek since June <br /> 2015. Samples analyzed to date confirm that none of the analytes exceed established standards <br /> for metal or inorganic concentrations. The only exceedances have been for E. Coli. Transit Mix <br /> has included a proposed long-term Water Monitoring Program in the July 14, 2016 permit <br /> submittal. This program includes monthly surface water and groundwater monitoring upgradient <br /> and downgradient from mining areas in both Little Turkey Creek and Deadman Creek. The <br /> monitoring program includes monitoring surface water flows, ground water levels, and surface <br /> water and groundwater water quality.The water quality monitoring includes analyzing for heavy <br /> metals among other parameters; the parameter lists are included below. Surface water quality <br /> results will be compared to the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) Upper <br /> Arkansas River Basin Stream segment 14d Agriculture, Aquatic Life Cold 2, and Recreation E <br /> Standards (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), 2016). <br /> Groundwater quality results will be compared to the WQCC groundwater Domestic Water Supply <br /> — Human Health Standards, Domestic Water Supply — Drinking Water Standards, Agricultural <br /> Standards, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Water Quality Standards (CDPHE, 2008). These <br /> results will be submitted to CDRMS. During mining, Transit Mix will notify CDRMS if any acid <br /> forming minerals are encountered. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application M-2016-010 <br /> Responses to Objection Letters <br /> July 28, 2016 4 <br />