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GOLORADO <br /> Division of Reclamation. <br /> Mining and Safety <br /> Department of Natural Resources <br /> February 22, 2022 <br /> RE: Response to Citizen Complaints; Cross Gold Mine; DRMS File No. M-1977-410 <br /> The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DBMS) received multiple citizen complaints from <br /> November 2021 through January 2022 regarding the Cross Gold Mine, File No. M-1977-410. While <br /> various concerns were expressed in the complaints, the primary concern (under DRMS jurisdiction)was <br /> regarding potential impacts the mine discharge may have had on surface water and groundwater resources <br /> in the vicinity of the mine, particularly to downstream wells. <br /> Pursuant to Hard Rock Rule 3.1.6, disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land <br /> and of the surrounding area and to the quantity or quality of water in surface and groundwater systems <br /> both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation shall be minimized.Additionally,mine <br /> operators are required to be in compliance with applicable federal and Colorado water quality laws and <br /> regulations, including statewide standards adopted by the Water Quality Control Commission. <br /> The Cross Gold Mine discharges groundwater through the Cross Mine and the Idaho Tunnel portals. The <br /> groundwater is treated to meet aquatic life standards before it is discharged into Coon Track Creek. The <br /> discharge of treated wastewater is regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and <br /> Environment, Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) under CDPS Permit No. C00032751. In the <br /> course of investigating whether or not the discharge of groundwater from the Cross Gold Mine impaired <br /> the quality of groundwater in downstream wells, DRMS reviewed the available water quality data <br /> associated with the following: <br /> • Domestic well—single sampling event provided with anonymous citizen complaint <br /> • CDPS Permit No. C00032751 —provided by WQCD <br /> • Coon Track Creek, Middle Boulder Creek, and Barker Reservoir surface water sampling data— <br /> provided by the City of Boulder <br /> Upon reviewing the available water quality data for the Cross Gold Mine and the surrounding area, DRMS <br /> has found no evidence indicating groundwater discharges from the mine led to degradation of surface and <br /> groundwater resources. DRMS reviewed all of the past data from the Cross Gold Mine, including <br /> exceedances of discharge standards and found that all discharges were below drinking water standards. <br /> DRMS also considered factors such as the distance from the mine to the nearest domestic wells and the <br /> quality of water in Coon Track Creek. <br /> DRMS is committed to ensuring the Cross Gold Mine remains in compliance with all applicable water <br /> quality standards and will consider and review any additional water quality data as it becomes available. <br /> If you have any questions,please contact me at(303) 866-3567 ext. 8116. <br />