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Mr. Alex Schatz <br />December 29, 2006 <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />from all 15 monitoring wells/piezometers during 2006 on the following dates: April 27, <br />May 4, May 11, and May 18, 2006. Martin and Wood personnel made measurements on <br />the wells that were able to be located on December 5, 2006. The attached map presents <br />the locations of the wells based on GPS data collected December 5, 2006 and on location <br />data provided by Colorado River Engineering. <br />As noted in 21.b., above, and based on the data collected in 2006, the ground <br />water gradient and implied flow direction is to the northwest. The installation of two <br />additional piezometers was requested by the DRMS. We feel that monitoring well MW3 <br />(Exhibit C-1) or one of the existing wells located near the southeastern corner of the site <br />could be utilized for up-gradient data. To establish adown-gradient water level <br />measuring point beyond the well referred to as W1 on the Colorado River Engineering <br />map, a new well located near the property boundary on the northwestern side of I-70 <br />would have to be installed. Note, however, that it is our opinion that the existing wells <br />provide information sufficient to fully assess the ground water conditions at the site. <br />21.d. The DRMS requests information on the Comprehensive Ground Water Monitoring <br />Plan. <br />The Comprehensive Ground Water Management and Monitoring Plan is being <br />developed by Banks and Gesso, LLC and Mr. McDcrmid. This plan, as currently drafted, <br />incorporates trigger points based on a two-foot or greater change (from the seasonal <br />average developed from baseline measurements) in the water level at any of the <br />monitoring wells. If such levels are not consistent with the levels at other wells across <br />the site, indicative of a specific conditions developing at a particular location, the <br />Division will be notified and there will be a review and report provided to DRMS within <br />30 days. Based on our experience with similar grave] mining operations and mitigation <br />plans, it is our opinion that the proposed trigger points should provide for protection of <br />local wells, ditches, water rights and wetlands/woody riparian areas. <br />2i.e. The DRMS inquires as to the time of year simulated in the MWI model and <br />requests information on the maximum pumping rates planned for each cell and the timing <br />ofdewatered activities for each cell. <br />The ground water flow model that was developed was a generalized model that <br />was not intended to reflect any specific time of year with respect to the water table <br />conditions. As noted above, there are no strong data to date indicating any significant <br />seasonal fluctuations, although it is recognized that further long-term data collection may <br />reveal such variations. The modeling work canted out indicates that the pumping rates <br />required to drawdown the water in Pit 1, with balanced recharge to the wetlands area <br />being can'ied out, would require a pumping rate of approximately 35,000 gallons per <br />minute. Due to the relative location of Pit 1 to the river and the large wetland areas, it is <br />expected that the pumping rates predicted for this mine cell represent the maximum that <br />would be required for any of the pits. The rates for Pit lwould thus be generally higher <br />Martln and Wood Water Consultants, Inc. <br />