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Cynthia Parker/Sage Hill Farm Public Comment on CDMG 112 Permit Application M2001-046 Page 2 Conclusion: Prior to receiving any recommendation of approval from the Division of Minerals and Geology, the Applicant should be required to demonstrate through hydrogeologic studies the absence of impact to my three adjudicated wells listed above. Furthermore, the Applicant should propose and agree to a monitoring regime for the life of the mine, said regime to be a permit condition and a contractual commitment to me. This monitoring regime would be designed to detect fluctuations in the water table before damage is done to any of my water rights. Both the hydrogeologic study and the monitoring regime should be subject to my review and approval. To represent me in this issue, I have contracted with the water engineering firm of Hydrosphere in Boulder. A letter from Hydrosphere stating their preliminary findings is attached, Hydrosphere will provide testimony to the Division of Minerals at the appropriate time. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE ISSUES. The Construction Materials Act requires that disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected tend and the surrounding area, and also to the quality and quantity of surface and ground water, shall be minimized both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation. This requirement is supplemental to the requirement of compliance with other laws governing well permits and augmentation. Based on the Hydrosphere study referenced above, it is expected that the dewatering process associated with the Owens/Nix mine will negatively impact the water table beneath my farm. Conclusion: The mining process must be conducted in such a way that no impact occurs to the water table beneath my farm. The Applicant should employ existing technologies currently used in the gravel mining industry for preserving the existing water table of surrounding properties for the duration of the mining and reclamation activities. Prior to receiving any recommendation of approval from the Division of Mmerals and Geology, the Applicant should be required to demonstrate through hydrogeologic studies that the method of mining being employed will not impact the water table underlying my farm. WILDLIFE ISSUES. The proposed gravel mine would greatly impact three valuable and unique wildlife habitat areas on my farm. These areas have received grants for habitat improvement or related purposes from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the United States Department of Agriculture or the Colorado State Forest Service. Impacts to areas for which the state and federal governments have actively sponsored and funded habitat improvement programs is an impermissible disturbance. Furthermore, the lower water table resulting from the dewatering operations will restrict my ability to create future habitat areas on my farm. I incorporate the letters of Mike Sherman, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Tim Carney, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, to support my position on the economic value and importance to wildlife of these azeas.