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Rationale for Recommendation to Approve 19
<br /> September 29, 2016
<br /> Information on proposed culvert designs can be found in the revised Exhibit G. In Exhibit G,the Applicant
<br /> states that the length of culverts to be installed will be minimized to reduce the area of the channel that
<br /> will be affected. Figures G-16 and G-17 show the profile cross-section for the crossings of Little Turkey
<br /> Creek and Deadman Creek.
<br /> 11. Concern regarding Exhibit G—Sedcad StreamStats Version 3-states a warning disclaimer that
<br /> "The selected watershed is partly in an area for which flow equations were not defined..."- has the
<br /> operator confirmed that the estimates are applicable and appropriate for this site? Has the operator
<br /> discussed rainfall estimates with DWR?
<br /> (N.Reed)
<br /> The information provided in the StreamStats Version 3.0 Flow Statistics Ungaged Site Report was
<br /> included in the initial application submittal. Through the adequacy review process, Exhibit G has been
<br /> revised and the StreamStats Version 3.0 information is no longer utilized.
<br /> 12. Concerns that in this structural setting, one cannot say with certainty that existing drainages
<br /> will be maintained such that existing precipitation and surface runoff paths will be maintained —
<br /> surface water present in drainage ways may be intercepted
<br /> (J.Moore, K.Moore)
<br /> In Exhibit G, the Applicant commits to maintaining segregation of the Little Turkey Creek and Deadman
<br /> Creek drainages to prevent a trans-basin diversion. The mining plan was developed to delay any
<br /> disturbances of the Deadman Creek watershed until there is sufficient space inside the pit to establish
<br /> separate drainages for each watershed. Primarily, a berm will be constructed and maintained along the
<br /> existing watershed divide. This will divert waters to separate ditch and sediment pond systems. The Little
<br /> Turkey Creek water will flow through sediment ponds before being discharged into Little Turkey Creek,
<br /> and the Deadman Creek water will flow through sediment ponds before being pumped to Deadman Creek
<br /> for discharge. Disturbed areas in the Deadman Creek drainage will be backfilled to establish positive
<br /> drainage into Deadman Creek for reclamation. Pumping will only be required during the operational
<br /> period.
<br /> 13. Concerns regarding impacts to water rights within the Little Turkey Creek watershed(sediment
<br /> ponds are impoundments of water that require water rights; additional wells may be installed; need
<br /> water rights for water used for operation, diversion ditches, etc.; Hitch Rack Ranch owns some water
<br /> rights associated with Little Turkey Creek, but have specific limits—Hitch Rack Ranch does not own
<br /> all of Little Turkey Creek water rights; application says they will not divert water from Little Turkey
<br /> Creek - however in 2015, contractor hired to drill test bores placed line into Little Turkey Creek and
<br /> pumped water out of creek within proposed quarry area for months—if pump in future would impact
<br /> water rights; will use maximum amount of water available for operations plant—thus diverting water
<br /> from private use of those who live downstream); Exhibit G does not adequately address whether
<br /> impoundment ponds will comply with Colorado water laws related to existing water rights as required
<br /> by Rule 3.1.6(1)(a)
<br /> (C.Reed,N.Reed,R.Larsen,S.Larsen,M Harvey,L.Harvey,M.Henslee,M. Cook,J.Lawrence,R. Cadigan,J. Cadigan, C.Engelage,K.
<br /> Blatchford,P.Blatchford,A.Fellows, T.Fellows,K. Kay, C.S.Kay, S.La Verne.S.Pringle, M.Junck,R.Holden, Y. Holden, C Newby, K.
<br /> Newby, V. Wekamp,D. Wekamp,D.Murphy,J.Murphy, C Kimble,B.Simmons,S.Simmons)
<br /> C
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