Laserfiche WebLink
Memo <br />To: Mr. Tony Waldron August 7, 2001 <br />From: Al Amundson <br />Subject: Adequacy Items for Nix Pit M-2001-046 Groundwater <br />3.1.6 Water -General Requirements <br />(1) Hydrology and Water Quality: Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the <br />affected land and surrounding area and to the quantity or quality of water in surface and <br />groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation <br />shall be minimized... <br />Owens Brothers have committed [o "instituting awell-monitoring program that will help determine any <br />adverse affects to neighboring water tables caused by the proposed mining operation. The monitoring wells <br />will be placed in strategic locations across the site, and may include wells owned by any neighbors who agree <br />to let Owens Brothers use their well data in the study. Five quarters of data will be gathered before any <br />mining below existing groundwater levels take place." <br />In my conversation August 1, 2001 with Mr. Tug Martin of Banks & Gesso he indicated that monitoring of <br />wells on the property is ongoing, and that they will be meeting with their hydrologic consultant (Wright Water <br />Engineers). I asked if they had decided how many wells or their location, and he said they would be <br />developing that plan in the neaz future. <br />Mr. Martin also provided us with their Temporary Substitute Supply Plan that has been submitted to the State <br />Engineer's office. This plan does not address the surrounding up-gradient water users, but does appear to <br />indicate that they have sufficient water to provide replacement water if they lower the up-gradient water table. <br />Prior to permit approval, [here should be a plan which will quantify how much drop in the ground water table <br />is acceptable at each location, and an action level below which remediation measures will be instituted to <br />maintain or raise the ground water table. This plan should also specify the mechanism by which the water <br />table will be restored and how long i[ will take to implement the restoration. <br />We believe that Owens Brothers should enter into an agreement with each adjacent water user regarding their <br />wells and/or wetlands, including the amount of drop which signifies damage, and the mechanism to repair that <br />damage. <br />Wetlands identified to be on the mine property should be safeguarded or their water augmented. Owens <br />Brothers should indicate the method of protection of the wetlands. <br />Backfill against the 1:1 slopes should be placed and compacted to assure the stability of the areas to be left. <br />Please provide a plan for backfill placement including geotechnical testing of the compacted fill. <br />