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With respect to the evaluation of potential impacts to wells and wetlands from <br />Wright Water Engineers, there are several remaining question and issues that will <br />need to be resolved prior to a decision being made. <br />A. The monitoring data collected so far indicate a declining water table. As the <br />data collection began in September of 2001 and has only run through April of <br />2002, this observation may be due wholly, or in part, to normal seasonal <br />fluctuations. However, until an entire season of data is recorded, this will not <br />be completely known. Obviously this information is essential to be able to <br />accurately predict the potential off-site impacts and fully determine the effects <br />that seasonal irrigation has on the groundwater system. <br />If a normal rebound of groundwater levels does not occur during the next <br />couple of months, as one would expect, it maybe indicative of other events <br />that aze having an impact on the system. For instance, the precipitation to date <br />for this yeaz is well below normal as the entire state is experiencing a drought. <br />This in turn affects stream flows which could affect the normal static <br />groundwater levels. Another possible impact is the potential draw-down <br />associated with pumping activities at the adjacent gravel pit just to the north <br />of mine azea 5. If there has been adraw-down, this could be affecting the <br />current static groundwater levels and may also have some bearing on the <br />assumptions used to determine the surface water elevations after lake leveling <br />occurs. <br />These assumptions appear to be critical to implementing the mitigation of <br />wetlands in the event that there is a negative impact. Therefore, the division is <br />requesting that the applicant provide a plan that will verify or solidify the <br />assumptions that were used to derive the lake leveling elevations, which were <br />in tum used to develop the proposed mitigation plan. Furthermore, if there is <br />a continuing, non-rebounding drop in the static groundwater level, the impact <br />of this on the overall system and the predictions of the ground water levels <br />must be addressed. <br />B. Once the baseline concerns have been addressed, a clear trigger mechanism <br />for mitigating impact to the wetlands will need to be developed. Discussions <br />were held about the installation of a staff gauge in the slough that would be <br />used to detemvne when mitigation would begin, if necessary. Another <br />proposal was to install a piezometer(s) down gradient from the wetland that <br />could be monitored to determine when mitigation would occur. Perhaps a <br />combination of these items or some other measurable trigger will be the best <br />indication of when mitigation will occur, if necessary. Along with this <br />trigger, the plan should identify times of the year that mitigation will occur <br />and how much water is available to conduct any proposed mitigation. This <br />