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~ _1 <br />The application specifies that the affected area is currently undeveloped rangeland. ~~is <br />description is supported by the vegetation information provided by the Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service Range Site Description. The site does support some old growth juniper, but <br />the vast majority of the vegetation and trees are not old growth. DMG believes the application is <br />accurate and complete in it's description of the current site. <br />Rationale Issue #16 includes comments that plat maps used in the permit are out of date. <br />The permit maps are accurate and provide up-to-date information regarding all adjacent <br />landowners and all structures on or within 200 feet of the proposed affected area as required by <br />Rule 6.4.3(b) and (g). During the pre-operational inspection, DMG verified that all structures <br />within 200 feet were identified and accurately portrayed on the permit maps. DMG believes the <br />application maps are accurate and complete. <br />2. Has the Applicant accurately indicated the projected amount from each of the sources <br />of water to supply the project water requirements as required by Rule 6.4.7(4)? <br />Rationale Issue #8 includes comments regarding impacts to groundwater quality and <br />quantity. <br />The application specifies that all water used for this operation will be trucked in solely from the <br />Benson Brothers' industrial ditch water right in Austin, Colorado. Though the applicant is pursuing <br />other sources for water that it may wish to use in the future, it has specified that "any other water <br />source on this site or any adjacent property owned by Benson Brothers will not be used for this <br />operation without the specific approval of the State Engineer after addressing concerns about any <br />offsite impacts due to use of such water. The applicant will submit a revision to this permit if they <br />intend to use such water after said approval". DMG believes the application indicates the <br />projected amount, from the sole water source, that will supply the project water requirements for <br />this operation. <br />3. Will areas outside of the affected land be protected from slides or damage (including <br />flooding) occurring during mining operation and reclamation as required by C.R.S. 34- <br />32.5-116 (4)(i)? <br />Rationale Issue #9 includes comments regarding potential for increased flooding from <br />stormwater runoff. <br />The application does not propose to significantly alter the size of any drainage basins that could <br />lead to increased flooding due to increased flow collecting in a single drainage. The mining plan <br />commits to contemporaneous reclamation so the active affected area is no greater than 6 acres. <br />DMG believes this method of minimizing the acreage that is stripped of topsoil and vegetation, in <br />addition to using a benched method of extraction in this highly fractured medium will minimize <br />potential for increased flow from the affected area that would increase chances of off-site damage <br />from flooding. <br />Rationale Issue #20 questions if prevention of mining on the ridge would prevent possible <br />erosion to the south slope. <br />