Laserfiche WebLink
Applicant's Response to Second Adequacy Letter <br />Grand River Park Project, DRMS File M-2006-046 <br />January 2, 2007 <br />Page 13 <br />The applicant submits that groundwater observations and modeling are <br />consistent with plans to manage groundwater associated with hydrophilic <br />vegetation by employing recharge facilities, as detailed in response to Comments <br />below. Because water is relatively abundant in the alluvial valley floor of the <br />Colorado (Grand) River, there is realistically no mechanism -given stipulated <br />adherence to the rules and regulations of the State Engineer's Office and the <br />Division of Water Resources -for the site to disturb the regional hydrologic <br />balance. Localized effects on groundwater-dependant resources may be <br />addressed by delivering pumped water or consumable rights in the adjacent <br />ditches to the affected resource. Again, special protection under the authority of <br />the State Engineer's Office and the Division of Water Resources applies to <br />certain resources (e.g., wells). To the extent that wetlands and riparian woody <br />plants are resources of concern, these plant types are associated with a shallow <br />groundwater hydrology that may be readily augmented through the use of <br />various recharge strategies in the immediate vicinity of affected vegetation. <br />c. The applicant has shown on Exhibits C-1 & C-2 the locations of three (3) <br />monitoring wells or piezometers for collection of static water level <br />measurements. Please describe the nature and extent of measurements <br />already collected. (As previously stated, it is the Division's practice to <br />require construction material operators to collect at least 5 quarters of <br />baseline groundwater measurements prior to de-watering operations to <br />accurately determine an undisturbed, baseline groundwater profile for the <br />area(s) to be affected.) Further, the Division requests that the applicant <br />add at least two (2) more piezometers to provide an up-gradient and a <br />down-gradient monitoring location. Specifically, the applicant should <br />consider locating an up-gradient monitoring location in the southwest <br />comer of the permit area and down-gradient monitoring location near the <br />cottonwood dominated riparian area in the northeast portion of the permit <br />area. Please respond. <br />Please see the response to Comment 21c in the attached report prepared by <br />Martin & Wood Water Consultants. Based on this expert opinion, it is the <br />applicant's understanding that existing monitoring facilities will be sufficient to <br />establish a baseline groundwater profile and support on-going monitoring <br />activities during mining and reclamation. <br />The applicant commits to collecting at least 5 quarters of baseline groundwater <br />measurements prior to the commencement of de-watering operations on the site. <br />d. The groundwater model and assessment prepared by Martin & Wood <br />Consultants is based on the assumption that mining and reclamation will <br />