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i <br /> II. Impact to Irrigating Water Quality in the Bessemer Ditch <br /> As described in Exhibit D,the mine plan, undisturbed native ground will extend from the <br /> Bessemer Ditch to the crest of the mesas. This undisturbed buffer zone will maintain existing soils, <br /> existing vegetation and existing contours. Current irrigating water quality,ditch conditions and <br /> stormwater impacts will not be impacted by this operation because mining activity will be limited to <br /> the south and east mesa faces. <br /> Mining, processing and trucking will occur on the south and east sides of Phases I and II and <br /> south and west sides of Phases III and IV. Stormwater flows will be monitored and effects mitigated <br /> under the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,Water Quality Control Division <br /> discharge permit COR341772. Storm water will flow away from the area of concern into the center <br /> of the permit area where BMPs will remove sediment and release water at historic rates onto the <br /> arid ground. <br /> The applicant submitted an application to cross the Bessemer Ditch as a component of the <br /> North Haul Road. The application included an engineered design that would prevent impact to the <br /> ditch structure and protect water quality. As of the date of this correspondence,the only response <br /> from the company is the August 3, 2016 correspondence to the Division stating the governing Board <br /> neither supports nor opposes the project. Mr.Ary will consider crossing design suggestions <br /> presented by the ditches'governing board. <br /> Ill. Mine Water Leaching into Groundwater <br /> Mining and processing will not utilize chemicals that have the potential to influence the pH <br /> of ground or surface water thus"mine water"will not be produced. Stormwater will be conveyed to <br /> straw filtration and energy dissipaters prior to release onto undisturbed native ground, making <br /> every effort not to interfere with historic release of storm water into the semi-arid plant community. <br /> This stormwater management plan will allow clean water to infiltrate into the ground. <br /> In addition,the vertical distance from the bottom of mining and groundwater levels is more <br /> than 40 feet. According to the Division of Water Resources database, permitted wells locate ground <br /> water at 2 to 35 feet below ground surface. The target reserve is the top ten to 15 feet of the <br /> mesas, leaving more than 20 feet to ground surface. <br /> IV. Potential for Increased Stormwater Flow during Severe Precipitation Events <br /> Mining and processing will be limited to the side of the mesa opposite the farming <br /> community and irrigation ditch. Existing native vegetation,ground conditions and natural <br /> formations on the west and north mesa faces will continue to convey storm water to the community <br /> during mild and severe precipitation events without impacts from mining. <br /> Fnq\41 noon nn�nL a /p\IlLhe?rn(aLLciiVee511nc„ <br /> 1107 Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212 <br /> www.envalternatives.c:om • e-mail. angela@envalternatives.com <br /> Phone- 719-275-8951 <br />