2020-01-14_PERMIT FILE - M2019038 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: M2019038
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/14/2020
• Doc Name: Adequacy Review Response #2
• From: CBRG
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: ERR
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

COLORADO
Division of Water Resources
Department of Natural Resources
Response to 110(1) Hard Rock Reclamation Permit Application
DATE: November 4, 2019
TO: Elliott R. Russell, Environmental Protection Specialist
FROM: Sarah Brucker, P.E.
RE: Blue Bee Diggins, File No. M-2019-038
Applicant/Operator: CBRG, LLC
Phone Number: [phone]
SW'/4 NE'/4 Section 18, Twp 12 South, Rng 75 West, 6th P.M., Park County
CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL
® The proposed operation does not anticipate exposing groundwater. Therefore, exposure of
groundwater must not occur during or after mining operations.
® If water will be used for any purpose at this site, the applicant will need to document that the
water was obtained from a legal source, or was diverted in priority under a water right decreed
for such mining/industrial use.
® Any stormwater runoff intercepted by this operation that is not diverted or captured in prioricy must
be released to the stream system within 72 hours.
COMMENTS: The subject application is for a surface mining operation on 4.1 permitted acres located
approximately 2 miles southwest of Hartsel, Colorado. The primary commodity to be mined at the site is
barite crystals. The site is proposed to be reclaimed to its current use of rangeland upon completion of
mining.
Mining will be conducted seasonally from first thaw to ground freeze each year, for an anticipated span of
15 years. The site will be open to the public as a fee digging area (tourist attraction). Trenches will be
made by machinery to a depth of 3-4 feet with the public utilizing hand tools to dig in the exploration
trenches. The depth to groundwater in the area was estimated at 200 feet below ground surface,
therefore mining operations are not expected to expose groundwater.
The applicant has indicated that no water will be needed during the mining operation. However, due to
the site being open to the public, it is anticipated that water may be needed for drinking and sanitary
purposes. This office would have no opposition to the use of bottled water and portable toilets to meet
these needs. If water from another source will be used at the site, it is recommended that the applicant
verify with this office that the water may legally be used for such commercial/industrial purposes.
If stormwater runoff is intercepted by this operation and is not diverted or captured in priority, it must
infiltrate into the ground or be released to the stream system within 72 hours; otherwise, the operator must
make replacements for evaporation.
Based on the above, this office has no concerns regarding the proposed mining operation. The applicant
may contact the State Engineer's Office with any questions.
1313 Sherman Street, Room 821, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.3581 www.colorado.gov/water
Jared S. Polis, Governor I Dan Gibbs, Executive Director I Kevin G. Rein, State Engineer/Director