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... <br />minimum requirements of the Construction Material Rules and Regulations and the Colorado <br />Land Reclamation Act for the Extraction of Construction Materials (Section 34-32.5-101). The <br />applicant has clarified the rate of pit inflows expected during dewatering. It is reasonable to <br />expect that pit inflows will vary from 20 to 30 gallons per minute up to 200 gallons per minute. <br />However, in a worst case scenario where an underground channel may be encountered, pit <br />inflows of several cubic feet per second may occur. The applicant has verified the feasibility of <br />being able to pump and manage pit inflows even during a worst case scenario. <br />2. "Will the operation minimize disturbances to the hydrologic balance specifically with <br />regards to possible dewatering effects on riparian habitat, itrc[uditrg adjacent cottonwood <br />trees?" (Sec. 34-32.5-I16(4)(h) & Rule 6.4.8(1)) <br />"The applicant wus caught in a lie about the affects of ground water on the riparian urea <br />and specifically the cottonwood forest. The applicant has been quoting information from <br />well-known scientists, Dr. David Cooper & Dr. Michael Scott, on the effects of mining on <br />riparian Wrens mid the cottonwood forest. Dr. Cooper wrote to the County <br />Commissioners recently to state that although his information was being used, in only <br />represented ~/z of the story. He stated that the applicant's reports were "incomplete mid <br />not objective. " (Van Narstrnnd; 4/5/01) <br />"...water drax~down affects wetlmtds, cottonwood trees, mtd other riparian vegetation <br />that provides healtlry habitat for wildlife. /wit! be affected when trees die mid wildlije <br />moves e[sewhere......loss of wildlife habitat could happen as the vegetation dies beck <br />.from lack ojwater. " (Landers, Vnn Norstrmid; 6//4/01) <br />Division Response -All of the adjacent cottonwood trees, willow shrubs, and wetland areas <br />occur on property owned by the applicant. However, in order to minimize any potential adverse <br />impacts to wetlands and/or woody vegetation within or adjacent to the affected land (regardless <br />of land ownership), the applicant has committed to a water monitoring plan to evaluate changes <br />in the groundwater table due to dewatering and has also committed to an "irrigation" plan for <br />recharging the alluvial aquifer which supplies [he water needs of the woody vegetation. All of <br />the mine waters collected in the dewatering trenches will be pumped from the bottom of the pi[ <br />floor into the sediment pond, then discharged offsite to the proposed wetland and irrigation areas. <br />Those mine waters not needed for operational needs or irrigation needs will be discharged offsite <br />to either Trout Creek or the Yampa River. la-'` ~. Z`i ~„ i <br />3. "Will the operation avoid ur:authorized release of pollutants to groundwater and tinimize <br />disturbances to groundwater quality, specifically with regards to objector's water supply <br />wells?" (Sec. 34-32.5-116(4)(c) & (4)(h)) <br />"! object to application approval of the mine site and its use of fuel, oil, and other <br />