2004-04-26_REVISION - M1978056 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10. Please provide an assessment of the hydrologic impact to be expected at the time of maximum pit excavation due to VCI's proposed de-watering and dry mining activities. The assessment should include effects within the 185 acres of affected land as well as the surrounding area. An analysis of hydrological impacts developed by C.G.R.S., is attached. The report attends to Division concerns for the Carbaugh well, but is applicable to the site at large. Empirically, impacts to surrounding wells over the previous 20 years has not adversely affected surrounding wells and the report supports this evidence. i 11. Please provide a discussion of any mitigation measures to be implemented as a result of the hydrologic impact expected in Item 10 above. While impacts have not been observed in the previous two decades, the study performed by ~ C.G.R.S. supports the belief that adverse impacts will not occur to surrounding wells. 6.4.5 EI{EIIBTT E -Reclamation Plan 12. The applicant has mentioned that the primary post-mining land use is industriaUcommercial. However, the mining and reclamation plans indicate that approximately 136 acres (or 74%) of 185 acres of affected land will be reclaimed to water surface, ie: a groundwater fed lake. The original mining and reclamation plan specified reclamation to agricultural land and wildlife habitat. Please clazify the acreage specifically reclaimed to industriaUcommercial use and explain how the primary post-mining land use will be industrial/commercial with a 136 acre groundwater fed lake. It's a significant submittal. Maybe we missed it. Looking at item 10 on page 2 of the 112 form indicates a Primary future (Post-mining) land use (check one): `General Agriculture (GA) + mixed/multiple uses (IC, WR, RS). Exhibit D -Mining Plan states, `A concrete batch plant and wet processing plant was established by the previous operator and is retained in this Amendment, and are clearly visible in Exhibit C: PraMining and Mining Plan Map, along with a shop, yard and supporting fuel depots, and related support azeas, including ascale-house/oftice. Approved and final Building Permits have been obtained for these structures, and will be maintained as part of the end use of the property, unless otherwise removed by the Operator. Additionally, provisions for an asphalt batch plant and periodic use of a portable dry plant are also a necessary inclusion to operations under this permit. The dry plant is periodically set up near existing stockpiles within Tracts A and C, while an asphalt batch plant is merely proposed as a potential use.' Exhibit E -Reclamation Plan states, `All affected lands remaining above the anticipated final water level of the ponds, and not otherwise occupied by existing or planned mixed uses, will be re-vegetated with the approved seed mixtures) for general agriculture. Mixed use(s), other than general agriculture, may include, but is not limited to, the retention of existing structures as desired (e.g., concrete batch plant, shop, scale-house/office, and supporting facilities (fuel depots, parking areas, oil and gas facilities access, etc.) for continued industrial -commercial use (as supported by existing approved Weld County Building Permits); the creation of unforeseen future structures, and for the use and development of on-site water resources. Since the area of surrounding lands is a mix of these uses as well as light residential, the site end use will retain these potentials (refer to Exhibit F -Reclamation Plan Map).' To the extent we understand our submittal, the lake is consistent with general agriculture, and the language included for mixed use is an attempt to retain assets and uses beyond the life of the mine. We believe the concrete batch plant and ancillary facilities are a valuable structures the use Varna Companies, Inc. M1978-056 Durham Sand & Gravel Pit - 2003 Amendment - Monday 26 April 2004 reply to correspondence from the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology of 6 January 2004.