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WATER DIVISION 2 _ OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER C Secnriry Services Building, 310 East Abriendo, Suite B Pueblo, Co. BI002 Photo (719) 5423368 FAX p 19) 5440800 - op'co~ ~0. ?~ _ Ne'- " ~ " ` RECEIVED « ~,,~ . , USDI-BlM-RG~O ''B's' Bill Owens y JU 4 2'J - Gavemor Russell George I Executive Director Hsl Sisson E. June 23; 2D06 Dan Grenard Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office 3170 E. Main Street Canon City, CO 81212 Re: Proposed Gravel Pit Site in Section 26, T14S, R78W, 6~' P.M. Paul Moltz Site Dear Mr. Grenard: On June 15, 2006 Colorado Division of Water Resources staff including Mike Graber, Dam Safety Engineer, Bruce Smith, Water Commissioner Water District 11, Dave Kelly, Deputy Water Commissioner, Water District 11 and Bill Tyner, Assistant Division Engineer were invited to visit the above proposed gravel pit site to provide input on whether there would likely be either dam safety or water administration issues resulting from the proposed mining operaton. The ensite meeting was hosted by Paul Ivloltr and Kay Hutchison representing Mr. C Moltr' interest in both the mining operation and operation of Mr. Moltr' water rights on lands adjoining the gravel pit site. The area proposed to be mined is south and slightly west of the base of the dam on Trout Creek Reservoir. This area is just to the east of an irrigated alfalfa field owned by Mr. Moltr. The historic channel of Trout Creek is in the vicinity of the mined area, but is not well defined after the first few hundred feet below Trout Creek Reservoir. From recent year's experience the water crossing the spillway on Trout Creek Reservoir or released from Trout Creek Reservoir into the channel typically disappears below the surface within the first eighth to quarter mile below the dam. Mr. Moltz had excavated a test hole near the mining site in an area along the path of the historic thatweg of Trout Creek. The test hole indicated no presence of ground water on the date of the visit and was dug to an estimated depth of approximately 12 to 15 feet. Mr. Mottr indicated that his intent during mining operations was to maintain the flows from Trout Creek along the path of the historic thalweg and perhaps use the test hole or other excavated areas as a means of providing infiltration for smaller flows to avoid any problems with surface flows impinging on the nearest alfalfa field which is irrigated via a center pivot irrigation system. Ms. Hutchison indicated the mining permit was for a dry mining operation and that from the test excavation there appeared to be no chance of exposing ground water during the mining activities. The mining operations did not anticipate the need for any washing of sand and gravel on site and did not anticipate a need for using any water from the site for dust control. With respect to potential water administration issues at the site the following were noted and discussed: 1. Mining activities as described should not require a Substitute Water Supply Plan approved pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 37-90-137 (11)(a), but evaluation by the State Engineer's Office will be conducted as provided for under the statute. 2. Should conditions at the site change whereby there was exposure of ground water, saturation of sand and gravel in the mining area due to a flow of water past the dam on Trout Creek Reservoir, or due to a desire by the operator of the gravel mining operation to begin washing of material onsite or use of water from the site for dust control it would be necessary to obtain a Substitute Water Supply Plan approved pursuant to the above statute prior to continuing any further mining operations. ~niA1 ~