Laserfiche WebLink
a) On page 2-44 of the application, it is stated, "there are no adjudicated <br />groundwater rights within more than two miles of the proposed permit <br />area". The Division concurs, however this does not exclude the <br />operator from groundwater quality protection. There is an existing <br />alluvial well in Section 29 permitted for domestic use (Permit No. <br />256862). Since there is a domestic use well within relatively close <br />proximity to the mining activity and located in the East Salt Creek <br />alluvium, "Domestic Use -Quality" classification of the Basic <br />Standards For Ground Water may apply to the specified azea of the <br />mining activity and East Salt Creek alluvium. <br />On page 2-45, it is stated, "Since there are no groundwater rights <br />adjudicated in the area of the mine there will be no impact on any <br />water interests." This may not be the case with regard to groundwater <br />quality protection. There is no mention of the East Salt Creek <br />alluvium being identified as an alluvial valley floor in the PHC <br />discussion. Section 2.4.2.1 Probable Hydrologic Consequences and <br />Appendix N should be revised to include a discussion of the probable <br />effects mining may or may not have to the quantity and quality of <br />groundwater in the East Salt Creek alluvium. <br />Please revise Section 2.4.2.1 of the application to include a <br />discussion of the existence of one domestic use well located <br />approximately one mile southwest of the confluence of McClane <br />Creek and East Salt Creek. Please revise Section 2.4.2.1 and if <br />appropriate Appendix N to include a discussion of the <br />identification of East Salt Creek alluvial deposits as an alluvial <br />valley floor, and describe the effect that the mine (including mine <br />water discharge at Outfall 002) has on the groundwater hydrology <br />of East Salt Creek alluvium. <br />b) In the table given on page 3 of Appendix N, the values given in the <br />column labeled "% Increase/Decrease" are incorrect. The values given <br />in this column are in fact fractional rather than percent increases. <br />Please revise the values in the last column (multiply by 100) to <br />show actual percent increase, and submit an amended table. <br />c) Please update the discussion in permit Section 4.1.2.5 regarding <br />effects of the operation on the East Salt Creek alluvial valley floor <br />to incorporate the updated PHC projections. Amended narrative <br />should address effects to both alluvial groundwater and to East Salt <br />Creek surface water used to irrigate the cropped AVF parcels depicted <br />on Figure 4.1-2. <br />