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~, <br />S TAI E OF COLORADO RIC HnRn n. InMM. Gnv r.m of <br />DEPARTMENT OF NgTURAL RESOURCES III III III III IIII III <br />D. Monte Pascoe, Executive Director <br />MINED LAND RECLAMA'T'ION 999 <br />423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Colorado 60203 Tel. (303) 839-3567 <br />David C. Shelton <br />Director <br />M E M O R A N D U M <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Dan Mathews <br />FROM: Jerry Zimpfer ~>-1' <br />DATE: December I5, 1981 <br />RE: Grand Mesa Coal Company, Protection of the Hydrologic Balance <br />2 have completed reviewing the surface water baseline and protection of the <br />hydrologic balance sections of the Grand Mesa Permit Application, excluding <br />runoff and sediment control which presumably Bob or Rich will review. This <br />review has identified several deficiencies that must be corrected prior <br />to permit approval. <br />1) The applicant's discussion of probable Hydrologic Consequences doe not <br />include a discussion of possible surface water effects. Some surface water <br />effects would be expected becausa direct recharge from stream is expected <br />to make up any water loss from the alluvial aquifer resulting from mining. <br />If this recharge occurs surface floes should be decreased. The applicant <br />should expand the discussion of Probable Hydrologic Consequence to include <br />a quantitive assessment of effects on the quantity of surface waters on a <br />seasonal basis. Both Ward Creek and the irrigation system could be affected. <br />2) Given the potential for affecting surface flow in ward Creek, the <br />surface water baseline provided by the applicant is not adequate. Two <br />monitoring station should be established on Ward Creek above and below <br />the permit area. These stations should be equipped with continuous flow <br />recorders. The applicant should also obtain flow information on major <br />irrigation ditches overlying the proposal underground workings. Permit <br />review should be suspended unit'1 the applicant provides data which identify <br />critical low flow and peak discharge rates of streams sufficient to identify <br />seasonal variations. <br />3) The applicant must identify the alternative sources of water supply or <br />sources of augmentation water that could be developed to replace existing <br />sources. The Division is concerned with protecting surface water use in <br />the Ward Creek Valley, the stream itself and adjacent irrigated lands. <br />(Dan, this issue should be identified for review by the State Engineers <br />Office.) <br />