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Mr. Gregg Squire , • Page 2 December 21, 2000 loader for transport to the processing facilities. If the tracked excavator can efficiently dig the gravel then pit dewatering probably will not be required. If the tracked excavator can not efficiently dig the wet resource, then the pits will be dewatered. The dewatering decisions will be made on pit conditions or expected pit conditions based on mining experience gained in a specific pit. This flexibility is needed since the ground water elevation and mining conditions will vary depending on the time of the year, Colorado River flows, weather, and location of the active reining area with respect to the Colorado River. If pit dewatering occurs, water will be held in ponds or pumped to the west end of the property for use in irrigation of pastures. This area is currently being irrigated as pasture for livestock with existing water rights through the Last Chance Ditch. If sufficient dry pit azea has been opened up then the detention ponds for the pit dewatering will be constructed in the pits. If sufficient pit area is not available then the ponds will be constructed in the mining area to the west of the active pit. For instance if mining is in the west property line to horse fence area, then the detention pond would be constructed on the eastern end of the slough to east property line mining area. This pond could also be used for dewatering of the initial mining on the west end of slough to east property line mining area. Once mining is completed in a given mining area and the pit is filling with water, it is expected that the mined out pits will also be used to settle any suspended solids in the pit dewatering discharge. The operator is in the process of applying for an NPDES Discharge permit and well permit. 1'he operator will not disturb groundwater until these permits are in place. My discharging of water from the project site will be in accordance with the NPDES permit. Copies of the approval letters will be forwarded to the DMG's Denver office. Item 2- Mine Timing. The mine timing was included on Table D-1 in the application. This table shows which areas will be mined during each five year period. The operator intends to operate the gravel pit on a 5 day per week schedule with weekend work scheduled as needed to meet rnarket dernand. The hours of operation are expected to be 6 AM to 8 PM. With this operating plan it is expected that the pits will be mined on a regular basis and no seasons of mining are expected except for the renewable resource area which will be mined in low flow periods only. The low flow period is generally expected to be between October 1 and March 31. However, the low flow period will vary depending on snow pack and weather conditions in the drainage basin. As such the renewable resource area operating schedule may vary from that mentioned above if the water level in the Colorado River is low enough to allow safe mining in the renewable resource area before or after the above mentioned dates. ltem 3 -Fill placement for post mining slopes. The placement of fill for the reclaimed slopes will be closely coordinated with the mining activities. Generally speaking, the 3:1 slopes will be placed in the dry section of mining prior to extracting the resource below the water table. The extraction of the resource below the water table will be offset from the toe of the reclaimed slope at a distance equivalent to extending the reclaimed slope to the bottom of the pit. This leaving of the resource in place below the water table completes the placement ofthe reclaimed slopes.