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~- <br />Note data not reported in the referenced documents is shotm as a dash (-). Alluvial well data for USGS (I) was a composite <br />of 27 wells, end Ca (3) reference was for well GS-24. Upper aquifer well data (or USGS (I) was Cor a composite of 17 wells <br />and C-a (3) reference was for well GS-M2U. American Soda's upper aquifer well 20-8 is the water supp{y well. All references <br />to USGS (4) are for wells 1 A and 2A, with water sampling by the USGS on the Horse Draw site near American Soda's Test <br />Mine Plan operations. USGS (4) intervals for comparative analysis were well lA, Upper or Uinta=188-501' and Lower or <br />UPC3=1000-1429', for well 2A Upperor Uinm=190-975' and Lower or UPC3=844-1451'. Minor diFl'ercnces in water qualit}' <br />results and N the lower aquifer and the significant difference in Fluoride may be attributed to sampling interval. Reference to <br />WRN (5) is based on wells with >90 samples since 1990. <br />It seems apparent to me that American Soda's operations may be causing a measurable and consistent <br />degradation of groundwater in the wells it is monitoring. Ifnothing else, the water quality data above <br />demonstrate the necessity to establish an adequate water quality baseline for the aquifers beneath <br />American Soda's leases prior to making any final conclusions regarding the commercial mining <br />project's potential water quality impacts in the Bureau's environmental impact statement. I would <br />like to meet with the White River Resource Area BLM Staff in the very near future to discuss these <br />issues; to ascertain BLM's views on the water quality monitoring data submitted thus far; and to <br />discuss how to address these issues, both in the field and in the review of the commercial mine plan <br />currently underway. Please give me a call at your convenience to set up such a meeting. Thank you <br />in advance for your consideration of the above comments. <br />Sincerely, <br />~/y~~ h/a2'~~ <br />Tom Dodson <br />Attachments <br />cc: Office of the State Engineer, Division of Water Resources <br />Environmental Protection Agency <br />Rio Blanco County / <br />Division of Mines and Geology/ <br />Michael Ireland <br />10 <br />