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FROM BraLRZ S ASSOCIRrES INC FAX W7. 970 253 9735 Jdn. 63 2©91 94:33PM P3 Iv'lr. CIrC~o SgU~I'e Page 3 January 2, 2001 item 4 -Erosion mitigation, banlJpit slope stability. See Item 3 above. item 5 -Watershed protection A Watershed Protection Permit application has been submitted to the City of Rifle. A response is being prepared by Balaz & Associates, Inc. ltent 6- Avian nesting sites. The operator intends on mining the renewable resource area on an intermittent basis attd only during low flow periods in the Colorado River. The low flow period is generally expected to be between October 1 and March 31. However, the low flow period will vaz'y depending on snow pack and weather conditions in the drainage basin. As' such the renewable resource area operating schedule may vary from that mentioned above if the water level in the Colorado Kiver is low enough to allow safe training in the renewable resource area before or after the above mentioned dates. ARer the initial mining of the renewable resource area, the frequency of mining will be deterttuned by the rate of recharge and is expected to be variable ragging from as frequently as aanually to as low as once every five years. The mitring of the renewable resource area in the fall and winter of the year is expected to have minimal impact on the heron rookery as the nesting usually takes place in the spring and summer. Mr. Brian Gray, DOW, was contacted by phone concerrting the concerns raised in his letter dated November 5, 2000. lluring our phone conversation, the [Wining of the renewable resource area during the low flow period was discussed. Mr. Cray felt that the heron usage of the rookery area would be minimal or non existent as the herons migrate from this area in September and October. Item 7 - I00 year floodway. The 100 year floodway did not appear to be de5ned in the 1982 Eloodplain study performed by the Army Corps ofEngincers for the Colorado Water Conservation Board and C'rarfield and Mesa Counties. As mentioned in Item 2 above, BAI is modeling a portion of the Colorado River to assess the impacts of the pits on the 100 year flood and vice versa. The base flood cross sections will be modified in alternate scenarios for various phases of activities. Alternative cases include mining in one pit and the balance of the area is undisturbed, mining in a second pit and the first pit is partially filled with water, mining in a third pit with the second pit partially filled with water and the first pit filled with water, and all three pits filled with water. The cross section geometry will include in pit stockpiles and equipment. This analysis will be forwarded when it is completed. Item 8 - Bondurg for downstream off-site impacts. The operator has submitted a reclamation bond estimate for the on site impacts as reiluired by Statute. The operator is not aware of any requiretttents to bond for off site impacts.