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'� • � L RAD <br /> Parks and Wildlife RECEIVED <br /> ,v <br /> Depar',nmen,of Na,i_ira- 1/ <br /> R sn_:rc� "JUL 2 7 2017 <br /> Northeast Regionat Office <br /> 6060 Broadway DWISION Of RECLAMATION <br /> Denver, CO80216 MINING AND WETY <br /> P 303.291.7227 1 F 303.291.7114 <br /> ,July 24, 2017 <br /> Michael Cunningham <br /> Division of Reclamation, Mining, Et Safety <br /> 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br /> Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> RE: Fairplay Au Pit (M-1991-037) conversion - Fairplay Colorado. <br /> Dear Michael, <br /> Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) appreciates you organizing the meeting that occurred on <br /> July 10th, 2017 at the Fairplay Au Pit. This opportunity allowed our staff to thoroughly assess <br /> any current and future potential impacts to both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and water <br /> quality associated with this mine and its operations. <br /> CPU/ has the following comments: <br /> • CPW would expect to find elk, deer, moose, bears, coyotes, fox, small ground- <br /> dwelling mammals, raptors, and passerine birds at the site of the proposed mining <br /> permit. CPW would also expect to find naturally reproducing brown trout and brook <br /> trout with some stocked rainbow trout in the Middle Fork of the South Platte River <br /> adjacent to and downstream of the mine site. <br /> • CPW staff noticed a lined water containment pit with steep walls that holds fresh <br /> water pumped directly from the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. Staff is <br /> concerned that animals such as moose, elk, and deer could become trapped in the <br /> supply pond. CPW recommends a form of enclosure fence suitable to exclude these <br /> animals out of any present or future lined ponds associated with this mine. <br /> • CPW is requesting that all current and future sedimentation ponds be lined to prevent <br /> wash water and sediment from leaching into ground and surface water. <br /> • CPW is requesting that all water supply lines deliver water to settling ponds at an <br /> elevation greater than the pond's water surface maximum elevation to prevent wash <br /> water from back flowing into the Middle Fork of the South Platte River or the Platte <br /> City Ditch. <br /> • CPW staff has concerns regarding the existing tailings pile that is adjacent to the <br /> Middle Fork of the South Platte River. We are requesting the opportunity to consult <br /> with the applicant to improve river form and function, floodplain connectivity, <br /> riparian health, water quality, and the risk of tailings entering the Middle Fork. After <br /> consulting with Water Quality and Aquatic Toxicology experts and with our <br /> Bob D.Broscheid,Director,Cotorado Parks and Witdtrte•Parks and Wildlife Commission:Robert W.Brad•Jeanne Horne 3, <br /> John.Hcvrrd,Vice-Chair•Dale Peel+James Prit:yt.Chair+James Vigit•Dean Wingfield• Mxhelte Zimmerman,Secretary•Mex Zip <br />