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Rationale for Recommendation to Approve 37
<br /> September 29, 2016
<br /> In the adequacy review response submitted on August 19,2016,the Applicant responded to the Division's
<br /> item no. 17. This response states that the Applicant no longer intends to install groundwater monitoring
<br /> wells in the southwestern portion of the mine area. With the installation of the four other groundwater
<br /> monitoring wells in the productive fractured material, the planned wells will provide monitoring of actual
<br /> water level changes in the same system and in the same vicinity as the neighboring wells. These wells will
<br /> be better suited to identify impacts to the neighboring wells than any monitoring wells that might be
<br /> installed in the southwestern portion of the mine site.
<br /> The Division determined the permit application satisfied the requirements of Rule 6.4.7,and the applicable
<br /> performance standards of Rule 3.1.
<br /> 44. Concern regarding Exhibit G—BBA memo-states that the local aquifer and stream system will
<br /> not be developed for water supply purposes—which contradicts earlier operator statement(on page G-
<br /> 16) that they may use Hitch Rack Ranch water or may drill wells-which is correct?
<br /> (N. Reed,J.Moore, K.Moore)
<br /> The Applicant addressed this concern in the adequacy review response submitted on July 28, 2016. The
<br /> Applicant states that quarry operations require a reliable water source, and the Applicant will import water
<br /> legally obtained from a hydrant(s) operated by Colorado Springs Utilities. Downstream water rights
<br /> holders have priority over Hitch Rack Ranch surface water rights, and the Applicant will not divert water
<br /> from Little Turkey Creek. Similarly, available groundwater is limited, and there are no plans to develop
<br /> groundwater resources. Should a locally available water resource be identified, the Applicant has
<br /> committed to work with DWR to obtain the necessary permits prior to developing the resource.
<br /> 45. Concerns regarding Exhibit H-states that turkeys mostly use lower parts of Hitch Rack Ranch
<br /> and are "not common in the mining area" (what research was used as the basis for this statement?
<br /> locals frequently see turkeys in this area as they drive on Little Turkey Creek Road; turkey sightings
<br /> almost daily; turkeys probably roost in cottonwoods and loiter in daytime in adjacent dense forest,
<br /> turkeys are very intolerant of industrial operations such as mining)
<br /> (S. Fentman,J. Townsend,S. Bell,J.Enderson,S,Firks, W. Baker, M.Baker, W.Sheaves,A.Sheaves,A. Sickels,L. Pecoraro,N.Reed, W.
<br /> Flaharty, J. Rigdon, K. Rigdon, T. Offutt, S. Diggs, W. Diggs, L. Steer, P. Ragan, C Ragan, G. Cousineau, C Cousineau, B. Louzon, L.
<br /> Louzon,B.Powell,D. Martin, L.Martin, T.Hight,M. Yugovich,M.Heer, C Heer, C Kimble,S.Boehr,Raven Rudduck,E.Bransby)
<br /> In Exhibit H, the permit application states that common small game species in the permit area include
<br /> wild turkey, mourning dove, and cottontail rabbit. Turkeys are common on the lower part of the property
<br /> year round, and the lower eastern part of the permit area is within turkey winter range,winter concentration
<br /> area, and production area. Turkeys mostly use the lower parts of the ranch and are not common in the
<br /> proposed mining area.
<br /> The Applicant further addressed this concern in the adequacy review response that was submitted on July
<br /> 28, 2016. The Applicant acknowledges that the text in Exhibit H suggests that turkeys are more commonly
<br /> present on the lower ranch, but the Applicant and its consultants recognize that turkeys are common on
<br /> both the upper and lower parts of the property year round.
<br /> CPW did provided a comment on the application, dated April 18, 2016, which includes some general
<br /> recommendations for protection of wildlife. The Applicant has incorporated these recommendations into
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