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_ ~ <br />It is quite possible that this contamination of lake sediments is due to natural mercury-bearing <br />ores, such as cinnabar, that may occur in native sediments, as there is no known industrial source <br />of mercury located upstream from the lake. Therefore, it does seem possible that mercury- <br />bearing ores or sediments might be contained within the alluvial gravels, and that disturbance of <br />the gravels might allow this water-soluble metal to enter the river via the discharge pipe or by <br />movement of groundwater. <br />Exhibit Page 17, Groundwater <br />This states that "based on information from other operations in the area with similar <br />conditions, the operation is designed to have no reasonable potential to adversely impact <br />groundwater quality or quantity". What information? Which of the gravel operations have <br />monitored water quality? According to statements made by personnel from the Division of <br />Minerals and Geology during the Informal Conference, there has been no monitoring of water <br />quality for either surface or groundwater in association with any of the local gravel operations. <br />As the potential effects on water quality aze completely unknown, cyclical monitoring of mine <br />dischazge should be required as part of any mine operation. <br />Exhibit page 1 S, Revegetation, last paragraph <br />According to the District conservationist, the buffer zone azound the proposed pit will be <br />a potential source of weeds due to past poor management and will require careful management in <br />cooperation with the Montezuma County Weed and Pest Control agency and the landowner. One <br />of the specific recommendations presented in Exhibit J is to keep all livestock off of the entire <br />azea for at least a yeaz, to improve conditions prior to disturbance by the proposed pit. However, <br />approximately one dozen head of horses were moved into this very areajust a few days ago. If <br />the landowner is not going to cooperate with the recommendations outlined for weed control, <br />how is the applicant going to successfully control the spread of noxious weeds from the Line <br />Camp pastures into areas disturbed by the proposed gravel pit?. Weed control is still not <br />adequately addressed in the revised application, particulazly if the landowner refuses to <br />cooperate. <br />Sincerely, <br />Lesli ~. Sesler / <br />~.~` ~7 ~ lv`- <br />rmothy D1Hovezak~ <br />r ~"'~ <br />