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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> The impact on the upper Arkansas River basin and particularly the Leadville area is significant. Impacts include <br /> potential chemical contamination of surface and groundwater.The mill waste pile will be a potential source of <br /> water contamination risks forever,yet the mill plan does not address perpetual monitoring and management of <br /> the waste pile. High water consumption may reduce water availability in the Leadville area for residential and <br /> other uses. These water issues alone are so significant the mill should not be permitted to operate. <br /> I object to this application on numerous grounds:disturbance of and transport of tailings from East Side of <br /> Leadville to Mill site; no foolproof method to guarantee no leakage of chemicals from proposed dry tailings <br /> landfill of processed materials; no plan to manage the bulk of the processed waste, threat of leakage into water <br /> table of chemicals into groundwater,affecting wells,fishing/rafting industry,irrigation water;potential of <br /> environmental catastrophe from leakage of toxic substances(e.g.via air,water)resulting in extreme adverse <br /> effects to County residents,visitors and the tourist economies of Lake County and neighboring counties; <br /> destruction of wildlife habitats and death of animals,fish in Lake County and beyond along the length of the <br /> Arkansas River; health risks associated with airborne toxic particulates("fugitive dust'). <br /> Over the past several decades,countless hours of work and millions of dollars have been spent on repairing the <br /> devastating impacts of historic mining in Lake County on the Upper Arkansas River and its tributaries, <br /> particularly in the California Gulch watershed where the Leadville Mill and much of the targeted waste is <br /> located.As a result,the Upper Arkansas is now the longest continuous stretch of Gold Medal water in the <br /> nation. <br /> I would ask DRMS to consider if the risks of this project to the Leadville community and the surrounding <br /> environment are worth the benefits.Of particular note,we would ask DRMS to carefully consider the following: <br /> •Does the CJK proposal adequately identify groundwater depth throughout the site or the preferential flow <br /> pathways/rates?In the instance of a spill, it would be necessary to have groundwater defined.Groundwater <br /> mapping would also play into a remediation plan in the instance of a spill.Those pathways must be identified <br /> and mitigated during an emergency to reduce impacts on drinking water supplies including wells in the area. <br /> •Has CJK properly addressed the disposal of processed waste throughout the life of the mine?Where will <br /> processed waste be disposed of or remediated to reduce impacts on human health and the environment?Does <br /> the life cycle of the proposed disposal plan fully mitigate the risks of its location in a highly sensitive <br /> environment? <br /> •Does the CJK proposal address the risks to the community and the environment of disturbing the east side <br /> waste piles?The potential for release of toxic materials into the air,surface water,and groundwater must be <br /> addressed both during and after excavation.These waste piles have stabilized over time and disturbing them <br /> will increase the potential for erosion of freshly exposed surfaces by wind and water. <br /> Permitting Action Comment/Objection is Regarding <br /> • New Permit Change to Existing Permit <br /> Permit Number* (?) <br /> Enter a valid permit number <br /> M1990057 <br /> County* <br /> Colorado County where the proposed operation is located <br /> Lake <br /> Enter one county only <br /> Site Name <br /> Perm ittee/Operator Name <br /> ADDITIONAL INFORMATION <br />