PERMFILE61007

• Permit No: M2003037
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/19/2003
• Doc Name: Response to issues at Pre-hearing Conference
• From: Banks and Gesso LLC
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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SEP 2 6-2003
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September 17, 2003
G. Russell Means
Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology
101 South Third Street, Suite 301
Grand Junction, CO 81501
RE: Haldorson Sand and Gravel Mine, M-2003-037
Dear Mr. Means:
720 Kipling St.,Suite{Iju%sionoffdinernlsaodGanlogy
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
[phone]
Fax (303} 274-8329
www. banksandgesso. com
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SEP i 8263
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The following is in response to the issues from the Pre-hearing Conference held on August 19,
2003 and as outlined for discussion at the Mined Land Reclamation Board hearing to be held on
October 29-30, 2003.
Is the application adequate to determine if the surface and ground water systems will be
affected and to determine potential impacts to the prevailing hydrologic balance? (Rule
6.4.7)
The most important thing to remember here is that the Applicant has committed to
staying two feet above the groundwater table during mining, ensuring that no
groundwater will be exposed and therefore no impacts to groundwater will be
encountered. Further, according to the hydrology study conducted by Don May PE;
Ph.D., Consulting Engineer the historic groundwater supplies will not be impacted by this
operation. The Applicant must comply with Colorado water law. The rainfall and
groundwater flow into the system will remain the same. As per the proposed
development plan (dry pit), the groundwater outflow will also remain the same. According
to Mr. May, there may be a loss of applied irrigation water as a system inflow as each
phase is mined. He also mentions that this same impact is being felt throughout the area
as agricultural land is continually being converted to non-agricultural uses (such as
residential and commercial uses). However, the phasing of the mine plan will also allow
for continued irrigation of non-mined areas and reclaimed areas so that irrigation water
will still make its way to the groundwater system throughout the course of the operation.
The reclamation plan calls for reclaiming the area to back to cropland and hence a return
of applied irrigation water. In any event, water users have no legal right to require the
continuation of the agricultural use of the property.
2. Has the Applicant proposed adequate measures fo minimize disturbances to
groundwater and surface water as well as the hydrologic balance of the affected land and
surrounding area? (Rule 3.1.6(1))
The nearest surface water to the property would be the CJN Lateral which runs through
the southwest corner of the site, approximately 250' away from the nearest mine edge.
There are also a few seasonal springs located several hundred feet east of and
approximately 50 feet in elevation below the Haldorson site. Based on a search at the
Office of the State Engineer, no wells are located within 600 ft. of the permit area. Also,
six test holes were drilled on the site at depths equal to or greater than the maximum
potential depth of excavation during the non-irrigation season. Water was not
encountered in any of these test holes. As climatic and irrigation conditions can affect