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groundwater from the proposed mining operation, including Steve Mulliken, Jerry <br />Moore, Ted Kerr, and Charles Norris. <br />25. Steve Mulliken ("Mr. Mulliken") testified that water to individual wells <br />in the area originates from water held in fractured granite, not a large aquifer and <br />that monitoring wells would be ineffective. Mr. Mulliken testified that the granite <br />deposit that would be removed by the proposed mining operation is the water <br />storage vessel and delivery system for small water deposits. <br />26. Jerry Moore {"Mr. Moore"), a retired exploration hydrologist, testified <br />on behalf of Objector Ingersoll Trust that the fractured granite aquifer in the area of <br />the proposed mining operation has a relatively small volume of water and is very <br />sensitive to being recharged. Mr. Moore also testified that it is very difficult to <br />accurately model fractured aquifers. Mr. Moore stated that surface water and <br />groundwater flows are directed to the proposed affected area, and that the mining <br />operation's removal of the granite will destroy the "pipeline" for the water and <br />damage the current water recharge flow system. <br />27. At the hearing, Ted Kerr C'Mr. Kerr"), President of Red Rock Valley <br />Estates Water District, testified on behalf of Objector Ingersoll Trust. Mr. Kerr <br />testified that the District has never had a reliable water source; that any water, and <br />particularly good water, is difficult to find; and that District residences have xeric <br />landscaping, not lawns. <br />28. Charles Norris, Ph.D. ("Dr. Norris") with Geo -Hydro, Inc. testified at <br />the hearing on behalf of Objector Ingersoll Trust. Dr. Norris testified that there is <br />no indication of perched water in the area. Dr. Norris disputed the testimony on <br />behalf of the Applicant regarding how the granite fracture system drains. <br />Specifically, Dr. Norris testified that the Applicant modeled the area drainage on a <br />sand pile, which drains much differently than a fractured granite system, such as <br />the system located in the area of the proposed mining operation. Dr. Norris <br />testified that the mining operation will drain water from the flanks of Little Turkey <br />Creek, reduce the base flow (and possibly the perennial flow) of the creek, and <br />reduce availability of water to wells in the valley. Dr. Norris opined that removing <br />granite from the proposed mining area will destroy the pathways for water <br />movement. Dr. Norris testified that the proposed quarry will absolutely impact <br />water levels and that it is impossible to tell the impact on groundwater until after <br />the groundwater system is already affected. <br />29. At the hearing, Steve Boyle ("Mr. Boyle") of BIO -Logic, Inc. testified on <br />behalf of the Applicant. Mr. Boyle testified that BIO -Logic, Inc. mapped vegetation <br />communities on the proposed mining site, performed a biological evaluation of the <br />site, conducted a Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat Assessment (indicated by the <br />Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br />Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry/M-2016-010 6 <br />