2017-12-19_PERMIT FILE - M2017035

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2 The following is general information regarding well permitting. All wells that are being used with the intent of accessing ground water ("water wells"), including wells used for the monitoring and observation of water quality/levels, are subject to the State Engineer's Office (SEO) well permitting requirements. Exploration boreholes constructed/used for purposes other than accessing ground water do not require notice and/or permitting through the SEO; however these wells will require permits through the SEO if/when they are used to access ground water for monitoring or other purposes. Wells that are drilled as exploration boreholes under MLR and are later used for water monitoring wells are exempt from the Water Well Construction Rules, 2 CCR 402-2 (WWCR). Permitting types that may be applicable to the site include: 1) Monitoring Hole Notice: A notice provided to the SEO that water monitoring wells are going to be constructed within a specific quarter-quarter. The exact location/number of wells is not required nor is there a fee for this form. However, these wells must either be plugged and abandoned or permitted as monitoring wells within 1 year of construction. Wells constructed under Monitoring Hole Notices (MH Notices) cannot be converted to production wells at a later date. Please read the MH Notice form for further details and requirements. 2) Monitoring Well Permit: A permit to monitor water quality/levels for an extended period of time. Though wells constructed under monitoring well permits (in accordance with the WWCR) can potentially be converted to production wells at a later date, wells constructed under MH Notices and converted to monitoring wells cannot. Please note that if you choose to convert an exploration borehole to a water monitoring well, it will, at the time of conversion, require a monitoring well permit through the SEO. The SEO recommends that, if you drill a well with the intent of monitoring water quality/quantity levels for over 1 year, you obtain a monitoring well permit prior to constructing the well and construct it in accordance with the WWCR to maximize the long-term use of the well. 3) Dewatering Well Permit: A permit to conduct long-term dewatering operations. All long-term dewatering operations require a dewatering well permit. The scope of a dewatering well is limited to dewatering only; use of the water beyond dewatering is not allowed under this permit. A well constructed under an MH Notice can be converted to a dewatering well. If you plan on using the water acquired from dewatering operations after the initial dewatering (this includes uses such as dust suppression, potable water supply, operational uses) a non-exempt permit must be obtained and the well will be considered a production well. A well drilled under an MH Notice will not be eligible for conversion to these types of uses. 4) Production Well (exempt): These permits are assumed to be non-injurious to the stream system so their use does not require augmentation water. However, their uses are also very limited. These wells can be permitted for drinking and sanitary purposes inside a commercial business (up to 0.33 of/yr) or up to 3 single family dwellings, 1 acre of lawn and garden irrigation, and the watering of the user's non- commercial domestic animals. They are permitted as the only exempt production well on the parcel. Wells drilled under MH Notices cannot be permitted for these uses. 5) Production Well (non-exempt): These wells are assumed to be injurious to the stream system; in general, if the operation is in an overappropriated stream system an augmentation plan will be required to operate under this type of permit. These well permits cover most other water uses. This includes water used for site operations, irrigation or outdoor uses, and dewatering with supplemental beneficial uses. Also, any ponds or operation pits that intercept ground water are considered wells; they will require non-exempt permits. Multiple non-exempt wells can exist on a parcel. Wells drilled under MH Notices cannot be permitted for these uses.