2003-06-03_REVISION - M1999034 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Aggregate Industries - WCR~ Inc. Amendment No.l - Jeronimus Property Permit # M-99-034 The revised mining plan (05/03) clarified a previous inconsistency regazding dewatering. Paragraph three on page 2 of Exhibit D states, "The proposed mining includes partially de- watering the lakes by 10' to 15'f..." My decreed irrigation well is utilized to irrigate crops on the adjacent field. Given the newly proposed 200-feet setback along my property boundary, this well will be approximately 225-feet from the active mining azea. Lowering the water table in the lakes by 10-15' will require a tremendous dischazge rate (thousands of gallons per minute) that will lower the water table in the surrounding alluvial aquifer. A lowered water table reduces the efficiency of my well's production and increases my pumping costs. If water levels in the lakes aze reduced significantly, the resulting water level decline in the sun•ounding aquifer may be such that my well would go dry when pumped. A decline of the natwal water table produced by actions of the applicant would result in injury to my decreed water right in the irrigation well and the other exempt alluvial well. The applicant provides no hydrologic assessment of the potential impact to surrounding structwes from dewatering of the pit lakes. We request that no dewatering be allowed without written approval of adjacent property owners within 600' of the mine property boundaries. Dragtines, backhoes, and/or dredges may be employed for mining below the water level 4. Lack of adequate slope stability evaluation Slope stability concerns were based on the original proposed minimum excavation setback of 35- feet from any adjacent property line. The revised mining plan (05/03), Exhibit D, pazagraph #7, page 5 establishes a 200' setback along my western property line. This increase setback satisfies my concerns regazding slope stability. 5. Compliance with the Endangered Species Act This concern was originally expressed by Ms. Andrea Vialpando of the Natwal Resowce Conservation Service in her letter dated January 28, 2003 in Exhibit J of the applicant's permit document. The revised permit document contains a letter from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, dated Apri13, 2003, to Mr. Chris LaRue of the Adams County Dept. of Planning and Development addressing wildlife concerns for the Cooley Reservoirs/Fulton Wildlife Area. Stephanie Durno, District Wildlife Manager for the Division, indicates that Bald Eagles have been observed in the azea, using cottonwood trees neaz the South Platte River and along the ditch as roost sites. She recommends "a 150' buffer zone be placed azound the river and that there is minimal distwbance neaz the ditch. She further states that the trees aze a valuable resource, and should be left standing. Ms. Durno recommends that the reclaimed "pond have irregulaz shorelines and that one or more islands of at least 15' x 25' in size per 2 surface acres of water be constructed." She goes on to state that shoreline and island slopes should be 4H:1 V, with some areas having slopes no steeper than 8H:1 V. We request that the recommendations of the Colorado Department of Wildlife, as cited in their letter of Apri12, 2003, be incorporated into the final permit document. References: Tchobanoglous, G., and Schroeder, E.D., 1987, Water Quality, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Masssachusetts.