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II. ISSUES RAISED BY OBJECTORS: Issues raised by objecting parties are listed below, along with the names of [he objectors. The Division's response to objection issues follows. Issues ate listed under the application exhibit (application section) to which they pertain. Issues no[ pertaining to a specific application exhibit are listed next. Issues that [he Division believes are not within the jurisdiction of [he Division or Board are listed last. ISSUES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE DIVISION AND BOARD ISSUES RAISED DURING THE INITIAL PUBG/C COMMENT PERIOD Application Exhibit G -Water Information: "Will the sealing of the pit stop the natural Flow of water to the numerous shallow wells in the area? By digging into the shale beneath, will the quality of the deep aquifer be compromised by seepage of the presently contaminated shallow aquifer (nitrates, DIIv1P, or others)? In the case of [he arsenal, DIMP traveled several miles forwazd and down. In [his case, water contaminated water can more easily move down a couple hundred feet. (Darvl and Joyce Billings; September 4, 2001) DMG Response- The applicant states that according to the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Office of the Slate Engineer, four wells are located within 600 feet of [he site. Records show [hat three of the four wells are monitoring wells permitted to the Phillips Petroleum Company. The fourth well is located approximately 400 feet northwest of the proposed mining area and completed to a depth of 46 feet with water appearing a[ 29 fee[ below ground surface. In addition, the well owned by the Billings is located close to the northern boundary of the proposed mining area. Slate records show [hat [his well was proposed for a depth of 180 feet into the Arapahoe Aquifer. The proposed mining operation will remove residual sand and gravel from [he historic mine site to a depth of 8-14 fee[ in the alluvial aquifer. Two [o four feet of clays[one bedrock will then be ripped from the floor of the mine to create a clay liner. Due to the depth of [he Billing's well, it is unlikely [ha[ [he dewa[ering operations or lining of the pit will cause adverse impacts to deep wells. However, for all wells permitted ornon-permitted, the applicant has committed to pay the landowners water bill from the South Adatns Water and Sanitation District from that time through completion of [he mine reclamation steps-. According to the applicant, [Host of these landowners were connected to the District's water supply due [o contamination of the shallow groundwater from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. By paying the water bills during the time of operation, the applicant will be directly compensating the well users for any losses due to decreased well capacity. In addition, the applicant has committed to pay for rehabilitation of shallow wells along 124th Avenue [hat lose efficiency during mine dewatering activities. ?. "...We have found that unless such opemtions use some sort of settling pond that recharges the surface water [able it adversely affects our property. We would hope that the State of Colorado stipulates to all open pit mining operations that some sort of recharging of the surface water [able be required. The surface water table in the Henderson area presently is about 4 to 5 fee[ below its historic level. We have what we believe is strong evidence that the de-watering method that is presently being used in the Henderson area is responsible for this drop..." (Cnrlo Gaines: Henderson Wnrer Ski C[ub; Seplernber /9, 2001) DMG Response- The applicant has stated in [he application that dewa[ering facilities from the mine will be designed to allow discharge directly [o the Henderson Water Ski Club Pond. Discharge to the Water Ski Club and maintenance of the water level in [he pond will have the effect of recharging groundwater immediately downgradient of the mine.