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wall edge represents approximately 12% of the saturated thickness of these <br />wells. This figure will decrease dramatically as distance from the slurry wall <br />increases. With respect to Mr. Vargas' concerns, his wells are located more than <br />600' from the mine edge and on the up-gradient side of the mine. We feel certain <br />that the mining operation as proposed will not adversely affect his wells. If <br />anything, we feel he may see a slight rise in the levels of his groundwater wells <br />as a result of the mounding effect. With respect to Mr. Windell's concerns, <br />please be aware that the groundwater well on the AWC property is, according to <br />Mr. Windelt, for the purpose of providing additional water to their nursery stock <br />when groundwater levels are not adequate enough. By Mr. Windell's own <br />admission, use of this well is rare. We respectfully submit that the minimal <br />shadow affect of the Heit slurry wall as predicted in the WWE study would not <br />adversely affect AWC's ability to maintain productive nursery stock on their <br />property. As shown in the WWE report, they should still have full use of a <br />significant portion of the saturated thickness of their irrigation well to supplement <br />any minor drops in groundwater levels on their property. <br />17. The conditions of approval as noted by the OSE in their referral letter are duly <br />acknowledged and accepted by the Applicant. <br />18. The affected land is currently cropland and is devoid of any significant wildlife <br />resources. There are no significant wildlife resources located on the affected <br />land. <br />19. Clearance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department (USFWD) is currently <br />being sought for the site. We will forward any approval letters from the USFWD <br />to you for review once received. <br />20. Because there is no significant wildlife habitat or resources on the affected land, <br />we do not anticipate any adverse impacts to existing wildlife in the area, <br />including, but not limited to, loss of food source, habitat, migratory routes, or any <br />other general activities. It has been our experience in the past that wildlife <br />present in the general vicinity (but not located on the affected land) of sand and <br />gravel mines continue to maintain their presence in the vicinity during mining <br />and after reclamation has been completed. <br />21. The only types of significant vegetation on the affected land are located in the <br />immediate vicinity of the residence and farm buildings. They include: <br />approximately 5 trees of varying size located in the immediate vicinity of the <br />residence, several landscape schrubs, and approximately '/< acre of lawn. The <br />cultivated fields are covered with various crops during the growing season. <br />There is no other vegetation on the affected land. <br />22. No structures will be constructed on the site as part of reclamation. The acreage <br />of land requiring grading is 61 acres. The mine and reclamation table actually <br />indicates 68 acres, however, the Applicant has withdrawn the proposal to mine <br />the 7 acre area in the Northwest corner of the site. Thus, the mined area of 61 <br />acres in the eastern two-thirds of the property will be all that requires grading for <br />final reclamation. <br />