2023-05-25_PERMIT FILE - M2022048 (9)

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ENVIRONMENT, INC. PAGE 15 L.G. EVERIST, INC. -WEST FARM RESERVOIR ADEQUACY RESPONSE 01 MAY 23,2023 With all the current structures along the south property line, the actual minimum distance of the slurry wall will be 80 feet from the property line. (There is a 50 ft. wide easement for a high-pressure gasline located 15 ft north of the property line, plus the 15 ft. setback from the north side of the ROW equals 80 ft.) This leaves adequate room to install any groundwater drain feature in this 80 feet. Our engineer recommended installing an additional 2 Monitoring wells along the south side of the permit area as shown on the revised Figure 6-1 - Wells, submitted with this response. We also have provided a groundwater mitigation plan in Exhibit 6 - Water intended to provide a way to work through an unforeseen increase or decrease in the groundwater elevation over and above the groundwater drain feature. There is no way we can totally ensure there will never be a groundwater elevation change, only that we will make sure it is not caused by our facility. 4. "...we are concerned about the surface disturbance..." 'During mining operations and construction, we suggest that the operator mitigate dust impacts and ensure that additional soil does not blow onto the Abbett Centennial Farm." Prior to commencement of mining the necessary Air Pollution Emissions Permit and dust control plan will be obtained from the Colorado bepartment of Health and Environment. The operator will reseed disturbed areas, and growth medium stockpiles as soon as they are ready. The use of water on roads and at plant sites is intended to reduce and control dust at the mine. In addition, once the mine is opened, the surface will become gravel that is less susceptible to wind-blown dust than the surrounding agricultural fields that exist there now. 5. "... we request that the operator repair the fence line and fence out the cattle. Repairing the fence will ensure the operator does not harm the cattle if they escape Abbett Centennial Farm." Fence maintenance and installation is a neighbor issue, not a reclamation or MLRB permit issue. With that said, L.G. Everist, Inc. strives to be a good neighbor and will work with Abbett Farm to keep cattle out of the mining areas. 6. "The mining operation may change the irrigation pathway of water along the northern portion of Abbett Centennial Farm by blocking water leaving the Abbett Centennial Farm that traditionally enters the north property as part of its traditional return flow." The plan has always been to re-channel the irrigation return ditch so it flows around the Phase 1 reservoir. The new ditch will be sized to assure it can carry any water entering the mine from the south so it can be returned to the river north of CR 32.5. Please see the response to the Division's item 12 for more details.