PERMFILE117664 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• i Mr. Chips Barry August 9, 1979 Page Three B. Well Permit Requirements Throughout its past interactions with bILRB, Cotter has emphasized the definitional standards which are clearly set forth in the Colorado Revised Statutes. Section 37-91-102(17), C.R.S. (1973) defines a well as: ". any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed, when the intended use of such excava- tion is for the location, diversion, artificial recharge, or acquisition of groundwater, but such term does not include an excavation made for the purpose of obtaining or for prospecting for oil, natural gas, minerals, or products of mining or quarrying, or for inserting media to repressure oiI or natural gas bearing formation or for storing petroleum, natural gas, or other products. (Emphasis added) With respect to the prerogatives of MLRB, Section 34-32- 116(1)(h), C.R.S. 1973, as amended, states that: "Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land and of the surrounding area and the quality and quantity of water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation shall be minimized. ." Clearly, the law provides that MLRB consider the broad spectrum of effects of mining operations upon various surface and subsurface water supplies, and look to means which will lessen the inevitable "disturbances" which will occur therein. In that regard, Cotter has provided a detailed description of the water related impacts of the JD-7 open pit mine in the Exhibit G of its Permit Application, and believes that its plan fully meets the letter and spirit of MLRB's statutory mandate. The alternative to Cotter's use of the water encountered in its mining operations for dust control, etc., is to haul some seven to ten million gallons of fresh water supplies from the Town of Waturita each year instead of using the marginal quality water seeping into the mine workings.