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Minimize Disturbances to the Prevailing Hydrologic Balance <br /> I also object to approval of this permit because quarry operations will in all <br /> likelihood significantly disturb the hydrologic balance of the area. <br /> To better understand the existing hydrologic balance,one of the sources of <br /> hydrologic and geologic information would be a study of the surface geology and <br /> geomorphology. It is difficult to know if anything of significance could be learned <br /> with an independent"boots on the ground"analysis of the Transit Mix lease since <br /> those opposed to the quarry have been refused access to the property. It seems <br /> extremely unreasonable not to allow residents who might be damaged by the <br /> quarry to have access to the same information as those applying for the permit. <br /> Ground Water <br /> The only source of household/domestic water in the area is from water wells. The <br /> primary aquifer is the Pikes Peak Granite,which produces from fractures in the <br /> crystalline rock.The fragility of this hydrologic/geologic system was demonstrated <br /> when the NORAD complex was constructed. Located in the same formations and <br /> structural and stratigraphic setting as Little Turkey Creek,the granite removal in <br /> the NORAD construction stopped the surface and ground water recharge supply to <br /> the JL Ranch down gradient. This example demonstrates that an operation <br /> involving removal of large amounts of granite from a fractured system can <br /> permanently prevent surface and ground waters from reaching surrounding <br /> landowners.This would seem to be more than a"de minimis"disturbance of the <br /> hydrologic balance. <br /> Because of the complex structural geologic setting and the characteristics of the <br /> aquifer system,a quarry operation at this location has a significant possibility of <br /> disrupting or diverting ground water and surface water. If this happens it is <br /> impossible to predict the extent that it would impact the surrounding domestic <br /> water wells. <br /> Factors Making Aggregate Mining Impact on Hydrologic Balance Impossible to <br /> Predict with Accuracy <br /> Aquifer Properties <br /> • Pikes Peak Granite is the primary source of ground water <br /> • The granite is a very fragile and low productive Aquifer <br /> • All Porosity and Permeability result from and are controlled by fracturing <br /> • Precipitation collected in the upper elevations is conducted down gradient in <br /> a system of connected fractures in the canyon walls and canyon floor <br /> • Alluvial gravel deposited on the fractured granite surface provides hydraulic <br />