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Peak procured the Maryland Creek Ranch mine from Everist and notified the DRMS of the <br /> transfer by letter in February 2017. Preceding that transfer, the mining method was significantly <br /> changed by Everist from the wet dragline method to a dry method whereby the water in the lake is <br /> pumped down and the gravel and sand are extracted with mobile equipment. Since procuring the <br /> mine, Peak has continued the dry mining method and dewatering. Consequently, during extraction <br /> operations in the summer months, the groundwater table is lowered by 10 feet or more and the water <br /> supply to the Love Pit wetlands has been radically changed. <br /> A detailed description of the impacts and history of the Love Pit is provided in a letter that was <br /> written to the Corps of Engineers (Corps) by our wetland consultant, Steffens and Associates, Inc. in <br /> October 2017 (letter attached). While the Corps has declined to take any action, Peak has cooperated <br /> in attempts to restore the water supply by direct pumping into the Love Pit wetland through a culvert <br /> constructed beneath Highway 9. An aerial photo drawing showing the key locations, the concerns, <br /> and the culvert is attached. The culvert installation was completed in June, but its effects have been <br /> inadequate in restoring the water supply to the Love Pit wetlands. While the culvert bypass may <br /> eventually provide the necessary water supply to sustain the wetlands, there are no assurances that it <br /> will. In any event, we have substantial concerns about the immediate and long term effects of the <br /> current mining method and are requesting DRMS' involvement and action. <br /> The visual impact to the wetlands on the Eagle's Nest Mountain Ranch property in 2017 and <br /> 2018 have been significant, as the lowered water level in the wetland pond has left a ring of dry,white <br /> cobbles around the shoreline. Photos from September 2017 are part of the attached letter to the Corps, <br /> and we have attached recent photos as well. The ecological impact to the functions and values of the <br /> wetland and other Waters of the United States is an additional significant concern. In addition to the <br /> intrinsic functions of the wetlands, the perimeter of the persistent water pool within the wetlands has <br /> been a nesting area for both eagles and ospreys. The lower water table also has had an effect on the <br /> productivity of the hay meadows south of the wetland this year. The effects of the lowered <br /> groundwater table are diverse and compromise the value of the Eagle's Nest Mountain Ranch. The <br /> dewatering of groundwater from the gravel mining area up-gradient from the Ranch is having a major <br /> impact on the overall environment. <br /> We have noted that the 2010 Banks and Gesso LLC report,prepared for Everist in connection <br /> with Amendment No. 2 of their permit, declared that (1) "the deposit will be mined wet with a <br /> dragline and front-end loaders" [Page 8] and that (2) "dewatering is not conducted at the project site" <br /> [Page 14]. An excerpt from the Banks and Gessso report is attached showing these statements. <br />