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02/12/2004 11:27 97024955? WESTWATER ASSOC~ES PA(~ 03/06 <br />Page 2, Introduction: "This rernresr wi17 review the known informatiar that is a~ilable <br />could not in atrv way netarively cr~jeet the users of the water rrostream or downstream of <br />the site. " - Whaz known information? The other two statements aze assumptions or <br />,guesses. <br />Page 2, Paragraph 4: '7t will then travel along the din of the shale to the lower terrace <br />Mancos Shale. "The Mancos shale under Spring Creek Mesa does have ~. structural dip <br />to the formation however, the groundwater flow and gravel deposits are controlled by <br />erosional features (fluvial or river) of the Uncompahgre River. The upper and lower <br />terrace are not in direct groundwater communication, the groundwater from the upper <br />terrace must appear on the surface before reaching the lower terrace. The thought of the <br />entire Mesa becoming dro after irrigation is absolutely absurd. The entire rim of Spring <br />Creek Mesa is littered with adjudicated springs, several of which were used as municipal <br />sources year round. The trout farm (Silver Springs) is supplied with adequate wale to <br />sustain fish rearing activities from springs in the upper gravel. There are also several <br />sources of rechazge for the upper gravels that run year round such as Spring Creek and <br />the return flows from septic and leach field systems which are in use all over the Mesa. <br />Page 3, Paragraph 2: "17re .strike of the Mancos Shale on the sire is believed to be to the <br />northeast (toward the riveri while the dip is believed to be between I % to S% under <br />SprrnQ Creek ~1,fesa This also coincides with typica! vab~es see» in mum other areas o <br />the Uncompahgre Gunnison and Colorado River valleys on the western sly of the <br />State. "- This entire pazagraph is incorrect and pointless as stated previously, the surface <br />of the Mancos Shale is an erosional feature not a structural feature. The strike of the <br />Mancos trends pazalle! to the Uncompahgre Plateau in a northwest, southeast direction <br />and the dip is 1" to 3°on average to the northeast along the west edge of the river. To even <br />suggest that these values are typical is a gross assumption; the dip of the Mancos Shale is <br />controlled by massive structural movements such as the uplift of the Uncompahgre <br />Plateau and the Gunnison uplift. On the opposite side of the valley, and slightly higher in <br />elevation, the Mancos dips steeply to the southwest. <br />Page 3, Paragraph 3: "Water qualitv_is genemlly slightly alkaline with nH hoverint <br />near 8.0 and disrolved solids being high whtch is also tj~iarl of Uncompahgre water. " <br />Mute point -the quality of the water has nothing to do with the application. The water has <br />been and is currently in use for irrigation, livestock, domestic and wildlife purposes <br />without problems. <br />Page 3, Paragraph 4: "The exact levels of the water in Phase 1 dusing the Weak of <br />irritation are unknown but th_are is overwhelming evidence to shave that the levels are <br />low enough that mitring to a total death of 13 feet should not encounter water at arty <br />lime. " - If the irrigation levels are unknown how can the evidence be overwhelming? <br />This is the reason for the required 1 year of monitoring before mining begins. <br />