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but railroad personnel removed them for fear the flood waters backed up to the tracks would breach <br />the rail bed. The culverts are outside the jurisdiction of the Division and its permit holders but <br />clearly allow water onto your land. <br />3} Two 36" culverts empty into an area which flow through a 48 inch culvert directly onto your <br />property. These culvers capture stormwater from a large area south of the state highway and flood <br />waters along another set of railroad tracks. The culvert directs water along a visible ditch that <br />circumvents the drive-in on your property and brings water directly to the area which was eroded. <br />4) It is noted that an in-river berm that helps prevent excessive flows into the Ana Branch was breached <br />during the flood event in question. The ownership of the berm could not be ascertained by the <br />Division. The breach allowed unusual amounts of water into the entire area and impacted not only <br />you but all landowners along the stretch of the river. The berm is outside the jurisdiction of the <br />Division or control of its permit holders. <br />5) The flow from the river was atypical. A rapid spring warming after a heavy snow season was noted <br />by both operators. The Yampa River historically has occasional events such as these. The <br />reclamation permit holders were affected by the events as well as al] property owners along this <br />stretch of river. <br />6) The Division's specialist on in stream mining, Tom Schreiner, noted no structures that appear to <br />have had a deleterious affect on the flows in question in either permitted site that directly impacted <br />yours or others lands. <br />The Division realizes that these findings are not what you had hoped for. Please understand that if there <br />were issues within the Division's jurisdiction appropriate measures would be initiated. There is no question <br />that the culverts that dump storm water onto your property are having an impact. The Division respectfully <br />advises you to contact the Railroad, CDOT and local jurisdictions regarding the culverts that impact your <br />lands to see if there is a remedy through them. River flow issues should be directed to the Army Corp of <br />Engineers. <br />If you need additional information, please contact me at the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, <br />Grand Junction Field Office, 101 S. 3rd St., Suite 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, telephone no. <br />970.241.1117. <br />Sincerely, <br />G. Russell Means <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Cc: Carl Mount, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, North Team Supervisor (e-mail) <br />Cc: Steve Baker, 3 B Enterprises, Deakins Pit Permit Holder <br />Cc: Lisa Lawton, Elam Construction, Bunn Pit Permit Operator <br />Cc: Mark Vigil, Lafarge West, Bunn Pit Permit Holder <br />