1999-04-17_PERMIT FILE - M1999002

• Permit No: M1999002
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 4/17/1999
• Doc Name: Hydrogeochemical Review
• From: DMG
• To: File
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
of
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver,Colorado 80203
Phone:[phone]
FAX:[phone]
/ DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Roy Romer
Governor
James S.Lochhead
April 17, 1999 Executive Director
Michael B.Long
To: Allen Sorenson Division Director
From: Harry H. Posey
ksil6ject: 4<drogeochemical Review. American Sod , L.L.P.; Yankee Gulch Minerals
Project; Rio Blanco County; M-99-002
This review focuses only on geological, hydrological, geochemical and hydrochemical aspects of
the permit. It is presumed that all of the following documents constitute part of the permit
application. (1) The MLRB Regular Operation (112) Reclamation Permit Application, Yankee
Gulch Sodium Mineral Project, January 1999; (2)Draft Soil Conservation, Erosion and Sediment
Control, Reclamation, and Revegetation Plan October 1998; (3) Commercial Mine Plan, August
1998, Clarification of Information Data Needs; (4) Yankee Gulch Sodium Minerals Project,
Pipeline Information Summary; and (5) An Evaluation of Stability and Potential Environmental
Impact of the Commercial Solution Mine Plan, Yankee Gulch Lease, Rio Blanco County, CO,
July 1998.
GENERAL COMMENTS
1. Confidentiality. Part of the application is labeled "Confidential." The operator should
recognize that the Rules and Regulations limit the types of information that can be held
confidential in permit applications. The operator should identify those portions of the
application that are protected as confidential under the Rules and Regulations, and
distinguish them from the remainder of the application. At that point, this adequacy review
can be released properly to the public.
2. DMO status. One feature of this operation indicates that it should be classified as a
Designated Mining Operation (DMO), and another feature suggests that it may be
determined to be a DMO.
a. Segments 14 through 18 of the White River Basin include Piceance Creek and its
tributaries. These are classified for aquatic life, recreation and agriculture. Among the
regulated parameters for surface water that are exceeded in some of the groundwaters are
B, C12, Cl , SO4, and Se. Alluvial groundwater, and at least part of the upper aquifer, and
t