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_ Y ~• a III IIIIIIIIIIIII III April 4, 2001 To: Colorado Division of Mineral. 999 1313 Sherman Street Room 215 v Denver, CO 80302 RECEIVED From: Loretta Van Norstrand .APR 0 5 2001 PO Box 773688, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 970/879-2727 Fax 879-3680 Division o! Minerals and Geology Deaz fir: (jar b Ch.a~e-rvnc- You recently received a regulaz 112 operation reclamation permit application from Camilletti and Sons, Inc., PO Box 45, Milner, CO 80487 dated March 19, 2001. This is to request that the DMG table its processing of the permit until Routt County completes a study of the ground water in the mine site area. The information in the anplicant's application is incorrect. Also I would like to be added io i.5e natif:¢ation list for this application. Have any hearings or submission dates been set for this proposal? On Mazch 27 the Boazd of County Commissioners tabled this proposal until May 22, 2001 to have additional studies of the watertable done. The applicant was caught in a lie about the effects of ground water on the riparian area and specifically the cottonwood forest. This is important for environmental reasons but also because the applicant's onl}~ visual and noise screening is with the mature cottonwood trees. The Routt County Zoning Resolution requires this mitigation. Mitigation is also required for disturbance of the wildlife habitat. The applicants have been quoting information from well-known scientists, Dr. David Cooper and Dr. Michael Scott on the effects of mining on riparian areas and the cottonwood forest to support their proposal. Dr. Cooper wrote to the County Commissioners recently to state that although his information was being used, it only represented 1/2 of the story. He stated that the applicant's reports were "incomplete and not objective." As Dr. Cooper is the leading authority in the western United States on mining's effects on cottonwoods, the Commissioners asked for an independent study. The new study will show the scientific effects on the cottonwoods and whether visual screening will be accomplished. Dr. Cooper's letter is attached. We are also concerned that the town of Milner, although unincorporated is within .7 mile of the mine site. It is also downstream. The 290 people who live there are very concerned about potential contamination of their water wells. All have private wells. We are urging them to do a baseline analysis of their wells so if there is a problem with contamination later, they will be able to show the mine is to blame. If they ever have to make Camilletti & Sons accountable for their actions, they will have written proof of what is in their wells now., Please recommend what other steps they should take. What is their recourse? We know gravel mining tampers with the water supply by removing water from the ground and surface, causing vast amounts of evaporation and putting in chemicals used for dust control, treating wastewater and dewatering. There is also diesel fuel (2,000 gallons per year), and oil use on site that could be spilled. How can residents of the town of Milner be sure their wells will be safe from contamination? f is ad,,; ~. ,,..~ ,.,,M, ld 6~ rnusr-