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/fir <br />~orr~r/ <br />Fteceiv®d <br />C1U_N=~2=2006__. ~: <br />brand Junction Field Office <br />Divtslon of Minerals & Geology <br /> <br />June 7, 2006 <br />Russ Means ~ ~/ <br />i~olo"ratio Division of'Min"""eials`and_Geology" <br />Grand Junction Field Office <br />101 S. Third St, Room 301 <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br />(/ <br />RE: Permit No. ~ ~ -177-3 0, /JD=6"Mine, Appeal-of DIGIO Sfatiis' <br />Mr. Means: <br />Cotter Corporation is submitting this letter to list the proposed measures of gathering <br />additional information to support Cotter's appeal of the Division's determination that the <br />JD-6 Mine is a Designated Mining Operation. <br />In the Division's letter to Cotter (March 9, 2006), the Division stated that "Cotter may <br />elect to gather additional groundwater information, which would support the modeling <br />and demonstrate that toxic materials will not come in contact with any Paradox Valley <br />aquifers." Afield meeting was held May 2, 2006 between DMG personnel (Russ Means <br />and Kate Pickford), Cotter (Glen Williams and Dick White), and Cotter's consulting <br />hydrologist (Peter Kearl) to discuss these proposed measures, which are summarized <br />below. <br />Since the report of the modeling was submitted, Cotter has become aware of a water well <br />located one-half mile southeast of the JD-6 waste rock pile. Cotter will be gathering <br />information about this well to be used to support the model. This information will consist <br />of driller's log, water level measurements to help establish depth to the water table in this <br />area, and analytical work to determine the ambient groundwater quality and <br />characteristics. Cotter will also submit a more detailed geologic map and cross-sections <br />showing the relationship of the waste rock dump to the water table. <br />The results of the modeling suggest that it could take up to 1,000 years for water to travel <br />from the waste dump to the water table, if it is 400 feet below. Therefore, rather than a <br />monitor well in the aquifer, Cotter proposes a soil water sampler (lysimeter) be installed. <br />It will be near, and on the down-gradient side of the waste rock dump, while still <br />allowing for dump expansion. Approximate locations were discussed with DMG during <br />the field meeting. This will serve as a timely sampling system showing the amount and <br />quality of water percolating through the dump material. <br />Cotter Corporation -West Slope Operations <br />P.O, Box 700, 28151 DD Road, Nucla, CO 81424 USA <br />Telephone (9701864-7347 <br />Fax (970) 864-7287 <br />