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Investigation of the area hydrology and geology show that a shale ridge exists to the south and west of <br />the permit area running southeast to the northwest. This ridge is shown on Map B-2. Since the shale is <br />thick and is exposed directly on the surface, there is no way for groundwater to travel from areas west <br />of this ridge on Spring Creek Mesa to the permit area, given that the groundwater gradient is to the <br />northeast. See the General Geology Cross Section of the area on Map B-2. Given the groundwater <br />gradient direction and the location of the ridge in relation to the pit, there aze only 152.9 acres of <br />irrigable azea which could infiltrate groundwater under the Haldorson Sand and Gravel Mine. <br />Lambert and Associates of Montrose, CO, a geotechnical firm with extensive experience in the area <br />as well as soil testing on Spring Creek Mesa, discusses the shale ridge, groundwater direction and <br />other items related to the general geology of the site. This report is included in Appendix B. <br />4. Establishment of Water Levels <br />Due to the heavy opposition which was encountered during the initial permitting process, much <br />research has been conducted in order to fully describe the levels of groundwater which occur in the <br />vicinity of the Haldorson Sand and Gravel Mine on the Spring Creek Mesa. All of the data collected <br />has been compiled below in order to establish the levels which groundwater maybe encountered. <br />1) On Septermber 8, 2003, a drill hole was placed in the northeast portion of the permit area to a <br />depth of 65 feet. Irrigation was at peak and water was initially encountered at a depth of 55 feet and <br />was measured one day later to be 53 feet from the surface. This hole <br />did not encounter any shale over the entire depth. See Map C-1B -Pre-Mining Plan Map for the <br />location of this hole. <br />2) A detailed inspection of the Mesa slope to the lower terrace was made by Greg Lewicki, P.E. on <br />December 3, 2003. This was done from the north edge of the permit area to the well south of the <br />southern edge. The slope is approximately 45-65 feet high and there is no evidence of phreatophyte <br />vegetation anywhere on the slopes <br />Haldorson Sand and Gravel Mine 29 <br />