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DeBeque Gravel Pit SWSP Page 2 of 9 <br /> July 15, 2025 <br /> replace long-term injurious stream depletions that result from mining related exposure of <br /> groundwater. In accordance with approach nos. 1 and 3, the Applicant has indicated that a <br /> bond has been obtained for $958,942 through DRMS to ensure that depletions from <br /> groundwater evaporation do not occur in the unforeseen event or events that would lead to <br /> the abandonment of the Pit. <br /> SWSP Operations <br /> This SWSP seeks to replace depletions resulting from mining operations at the DeBeque <br /> Gravel Pit, DRMS File no. M-2011-054, which is located in the N '/z of Section 9, Township 9 <br /> South, Range 97 West, 6tn P.M., in Mesa County, as shown on attached Figures 1 and 2. The <br /> complete life span of the proposed gravel operation is approximately 21 years. The <br /> depletions that result from the mining operations are evaporation from exposed <br /> groundwater, dust suppression, water lost with mined product, and intermittent filling of the <br /> gravel pond. The source of replacement water is water leased from the Colorado River Water <br /> Conservancy District (CRWCD) and the West Divide Water Conservancy District (WDWCD). <br /> Depletions <br /> Evaporation <br /> During this SWSP approval period, a maximum of 8.72 acres of groundwater will be exposed. <br /> Gross annual evaporation at the gravel pit location is estimated to be 47.0 inches per year <br /> and the monthly distribution is as depicted on the attached Table 1. Net evaporation is <br /> defined as gross evaporation less the consumptive use of water by vegetation that naturally <br /> occurred at the site prior to construction of the pit. The historical consumptive use was <br /> assumed to be equal to the effective precipitation of 6.99 inches, which was estimated <br /> based on the data from the Palisade weather station. The net evaporation for the exposed <br /> water surface is 40.01 inches per year, with a monthly distribution as shown on the attached <br /> Table 1. <br /> Computation of evaporation under this SWSP was reduced assuming ice-covered periods <br /> during the months of December and January based on average monthly temperatures less <br />