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GENERAL33904
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Last modified
8/24/2016 7:55:38 PM
Creation date
11/23/2007 7:46:00 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
M1978116
IBM Index Class Name
General Documents
Doc Date
9/12/2007
Doc Name
Reply brief
From
Cotter Corporation
To
DRMS
Permit Index Doc Type
SM18
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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address the other potential contaminate pathways, such as radon and other air emissions, which <br />also trigger the DMO provisions of the MLRA. Indeed, the MLRB's own statements in the <br />Statement of Basis Specific Statutory Authority and Purpose for the regulations adopted to <br />implement Senate Bi1193-247, where the legislature created DMO status, demonstrate that while <br />groundwater contamination is one contaminate pathway for the DRMS to consider, it is not the <br />only pathway. For instance, the Statement recognizes that DMO status is proper where an <br />"operation has the potential to create or aggravate acidic or toxic drainages from naturally <br />occurring geologic materials mined or disturbed in their operation...because there are <br />contaminant mobility pathways available (such as ground or surface waters) that could lead to <br />adverse impacts to human health, property or the environment." Statement at 31 (referencing <br />HRMM Rule 7). <br />Thus, while ground and surface waters are important pathways to consider, there are but two. In <br />order to qualify for a DMO exemption, all potential pathways must be considered, and the DMO- <br />exemption test applied. The plain language of the MLRA requires consideration of all pathways, <br />in broadly setting forth the test for DMO as whether the operation has exposed or disturbed toxic <br />materials in "quantities sufficient to adversely affect any person, any property, or the <br />environment...." C.R.S. § 34-32-112.5(2). As such, the DMO determination is a much broader <br />one that whether proof exists that the ground or surface water quality will be adversely impacted, <br />and certainly broader than simply whether water quality standards will be violated. <br />Critical to this case, the DRMS and Cotter failed to assess other potential contaminant mobility <br />pathways such as air radon emissions. The human health impacts and ongoing threats to the <br />public and to miners Caused by radon at uranium mines is well established and undisputed. It <br />is also undisputed that the DRMS' non-DMO determination did not address the fact that <br />radon from the mine, ore, protore, and waste rock stockpiles at the SM-18 mine pose a <br />significant health threat and must be addressed by ventilation and other mitigation <br />measures. DRMS Response at 2. Yet, no consideration of the adverse effects of persons <br />exposed to radon in and near the SM-18 uranium mine was contained in the Division's <br />non-DMO determination. <br />The unique acid mine drainage problems linked to uranium sulfate and radium at uranium <br />mines was addressed by the DRMS for the first time through assumptions and inferences in <br />its Response Brief, but lacked any basis in direct measurement or analysis. Response Brief at <br />3. The DRMS do not dispute that: <br />Uranium and thorium, and radium to a lesser extent, can be mobilized by either <br />acidic or alkaline solutions. Pyrite and other sulfur-bearing minerals are key <br />determinanu as to whether acid mine drainage occurs. <br />Opening Brief at 6 (citing EPA TENORM Report). There is no dispute that that sulfur is present <br />in the ores and groundwater in the region. Id. The undisputed and unique toxic and acid-forming <br />characteristics of uranium ore summarized by the Environmental Protection Agency bears <br />repeating here: <br />
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