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Army Corps Public P~otice Nur~r: 200175036 • Page 5 March 30, 2001 C. Water Quality Issues The Ciry also is concerned about the impact of the proposed mining operation on the City's water quality. Chapter Four of the fmal publication of the State of Colorado Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Program Plan, prepared by the Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, identifies gravel mining as a "significant potential source of contamination in Colorado. " See SWAP Program Plan, Table 4.1 (May 2000). SWAP Ptogram Plan Table 4.1 lists the potential contaminants present from gravel mining as organics, inorganics and radionuclides. In addition, the mining operation undoubtedly will use various gasoline-powered equipment in its mineral extraction process, and will likely require the on-site location of petroleum storage tanks. Spills or leaks from this equipment or storage tanks could create a substantial risk of contamination to the Ciry of Rifle's public water supply by these hazardous substances. The close proximity of the City of Rifle's water intake structure to Applicant's proposed mining operation makes the City's water supply more susceptible to contamination from these substances. Chapter Five of the SWAP Program Plan presents the factors used to assess the risk and threat a potential source of contamination poses to a public water supply. One such factor is the "setting sensitivity," which attempts to assess the risk factor posed by contaminant transportation considerations, including the distance between a potential source of contamination and the public water intake. SWAP Program Plan, Chapter 5, pp. 63-64. A potential source of contamination occurring within 1,000 feet of a stream and less than fifteen (15) valley miles from a public water intake structure is considered to be located in the Zone 1, Near Zone. SWAP Program Plan, Chapter 5, p. 64. Such surface water systems are given a "high" sensitivity determination under the SWAP Program Plan. SWAP Program Plan, Table 5.5. Roaring Fork Resources' CWA permit application states that, with the exception of Area A, the Colorado River, Dry Creek and Mamm Creek are protected by a 100-foot wide buffer, which is well within the 1,000-foot "Zone 1" designation of the SWAP Program Plan. Additionally, with the proposed mine site located approximately one-quarter (1/4) mile from the City of Rifle's water intake structure, Applicant's proposed gravel mine falls well within the SWAP Program Plan's "Near Zone" setting sensitivity designation. Therefore, although other variables play into the complete analysis, under the above sensitivity determination, the City of Rifle's water intake structure may be highly susceptible to contamination from substances released from Applicant's proposed gravel mine, given their close proximity. D. Wetlands, Riparian Habitat and Wildlife Beyond geomorphologic and water quality considerations, the City of Rifle is very concerned about the negative impact of Applicant's proposed mining operation on the existence and appearance of the area's wetlands and riparian habitat. Information is available on the suspected presence of several threatened or endangered species in the area. See Exhibit E. As ~:° :;~. ~_ ~- i~'~° C~ ~~ ~_ C° LVDp1~Cliem~RIFIFR~JJV.euersMenm~C1VA 40101 comment.wpE