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Resolution: As described above, Everist has committed to a revegetation plan that goes above <br />and beyond the requirements of the Act. <br />Comment #2: A number of commenters are concerned about the potential for adverse impacts to <br />waters of the United States, including wetlands. <br />Resolution: As described above, there are no waters of the United States within the area of lands <br />to be affected. The Operator will comply with Department of the Army requirements for water <br />of the United States. The Operator will use controlled rather than bulk mining methods when <br />mining in proximity to waters of the United States. <br />Comment #3: A number of commenters are concerned about the potential for contamination of <br />surface and ground water. <br />DMG Position: The dredge rock to be mined is chemically inert, so no contaminants will be <br />liberated from the rock during mining with the exception of silt with the potential to contaminate <br />surface water as suspended solids or sediment. The Operator will install runoff controls in the <br />form of perimeter berms. The area to be mined is composed of highly pervious gravel and <br />cobble, surface water will tend to infiltrate rather than runoff. Infiltration of runoff into the <br />berms or substrate will filter suspended fines. The other potential source of contamination will <br />be from fuel and lubricants stored at the site. The Operator has committed to storing fuel outside <br />the floodplain in benned and membrane lined containment with a capacity 1.5 times the size of <br />the tank. Valves must be monitored at all times during fueling. Fuel tankers may also be used as <br />opposed to stationary tanks. Spills will be immediately reported to the DMG. <br />Comment #4: A number of commenters are concerned about the potential for adverse impacts to <br />wildlife. <br />DMG Position: The Colorado Division of Wildlife has evaluated the potential for impacts to <br />wildlife from mining at this location, and made the following findings: <br />• Wildlife species that may use the area are very limited due to historic dredge mining <br />disturbance. Potential species that may use the area are beaver, red fox, coyote, and <br />small rodents. Impacts to wildlife will be minimal. <br />• No endangered or critical species will be impacted. <br />• No critical habitats or vegetative communities will be impacted. <br />• Removal of the dredge piles may speed recovery of the area as wildlife habitat. <br />The DMG inspected the Mascot Placer on June 1, 2004, and determined the following: <br />• There is no elk or deer habitat in the area to be affected by mining. <br />• The cutthroat trout community in the North Fork of the Swan River is located upgradient <br />of the Mascot Placer. <br />Comment #5: A number of commenters were concerned about the potential for adverse impacts <br />caused by dust from the mining operation. <br />4 <br />