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<br />The water released in Cash Gulch could easily have the above metals in similar <br />concentrations to the permit samples. It definitely exceeded the EPA limits for release <br />down the drainage. <br />This low level of pollution is damaging to the ecosystem but unless it gets out of <br />hand, the area will soon recover. Long term abuse like this could eventually let metals <br />seep into the groundwater. Aker decades, this could cause low level enrichment of the <br />naturally occurring minerals. This could eventually be health threatening to local <br />residents with shallow wells. <br />III. WATER USE PERMIT: The initia{ permit relied on data in Bulletin 42 by the <br />Colorado Geological Survey. It was titled "Water Resources of Boulder County, <br />Colorado". It was the source for surface and groundwater information quoted in the <br />permit. It was researched in the 1970's and published in 1980. Only sparce data was <br />presented about Gold Hill or any other area. It was a great regional study. <br />Analysis from the monitor wells mentioned in the permit along with analysis of <br />some private wells may be warranted. Surveillance of groundwater movement can be <br />used in a preventive sense. Other documentation would be required to evaluate a new <br />permit. Those evaluations would assure a safe situation in the mine and mill area. <br />IV. TAILINGS. PILE and POND LINER: Besides the obvious leakage problems from <br />contaminated water, there is a question of surface safety. To prevent deer from tearing <br />the liner again, they need to be fenced out. It's bad to leave the tailings pile and pond <br />open for potential use by animals and people. <br />There doesn't appear to be any immediate danger. The long-term health impact <br />is a concern second to the poor surface management. The recent violations found by <br />Mined Land Reclamation show that this matter is receiving due diligence. <br />I'd like to thank the Board for considering these points presented above. The <br />original mine and mill permit application and state geologic publications were used as <br />information sources. I also attended the March board meeting. The historic tradition of <br />mining is being challenged by the modern tradition of residential sprawl in Boulder <br />County. I hope this letter helps the Board in their efforts to decide fairly. <br />Sincerely, <br />Ginger Dodson <br />Geologist <br />cc: Luke Daniels <br />Joseph Dani <br />James Cooley <br />Chris Jouflaf <br />Maxine Stewart <br />Ron Cattany <br />Jim Stevens <br />Bob Mason <br />Kimberly Gent <br />