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Critically, the DRMS determination in July 2005 -that the JD Mine Complex (and the SM-18 <br />Mine) are DMOs - is no longer seriously challenged by Cotter. Both the DRMS and Cotter <br />concede that acid- or toxic-forming materials will be exposed or disturbed as a result of mining <br />operations at the JD mines, including Aluminum, Lead, Selenium, and Arsenic at levels <br />exceeding applicable ground or surface water standards. See July 22, 2005 SPLP results review. <br />Thus, the only issue remaining is the lingering possibility of a Board exemption for these JD <br />Mines under a novel and new interpretation of MLRA Section 1125 (C.R.S. § 34-32-112.5) put <br />forth by Cotter and the DRMS in their SM-18 briefing. Cotter SM-18 Response Brief at 9, <br />DRMS SM-18 Response at 1. Cotter is mistaken in its claim that Intervenors failed to recognize <br />this provision. Id. This provision was recognized in all of Intervenors' previous briefing on the <br />SM-18 and the JD-Mine Complex, but was not addressed in detail because until now, a Board <br />exemption had not been raised with any seriousness by Cotter. <br />Now, despite the DRMS' July 2005 DMO-determination, Cotter argues that the Board can grant <br />an exemption in these proceedings. Id. However, Cotter fails to identify any applicable <br />standards or information that allow the Board to grant a 112.5 exemption where the DRMS has <br />already determined, based on the mine file and the data supplied by Cotter in these proceedings, <br />that DMO status is required by the MLRA. <br />Regardless of what legal standard Cotter must meet to obtain a Boazd exemption under 112.5, as <br />set forth in Intervenors' opening brief, Cotter has provided no legitimate factual basis for the <br />DRMS or this Board to provide an exemption for any of the JD Mines. Further, Cotter cannot <br />now attempt to rescue its case by bringing last-minute "evidence" or data to meet its burden of <br />proof necessary to obtain an exemption directly from the Board. C.R.S. § 34-32-112.5(2). <br />(Cotter bears the burden of demonstrating applicability of a DMO exemption). The scheduling <br />order -agreed upon by the parties and adopted by the Board -specifically prevents Cotter from <br />introducing any "new factual data" into these proceedings after June 15, 2007. (emphasis in <br />original). <br />Last, the Board has the power to summarily deny Cotter's appeal and require the EPP and other <br />compliance with the DMO provisions that should have been addressed by Cotter in the mid- <br />1990s when the MLRA was amended to include the DMO provisions. The Board may deny this <br />appeal and hold the permit in abeyance until the DMO-provisions of the 1993 MLRA <br />amendments aze satisfied. <br />Conclusion <br />The central assertions made in Intervenors' previous brief remain unrebutted and provide <br />sufficient basis for the Board to summarily dismiss Cotter's appeal without further consideration <br />and require compliance with the DMO provisions without further delay: <br />Even assuming, arguendo, that a legal basis could exists for reversing the DMO status <br />determination for JD-6, JD-8, and JD-9, Cotter's challenge to the Division's DMO <br />determination must fail where it is based on three months of "factual data" collected from <br />three lysimeters and one monitoring well. Cotter must carry a heavy burden in <br />