PERMFILE135119

• Permit No: M2003037
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/21/2003
• Doc Name: Objection
• From: Friends of Spring Creek Mesa
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

15:48 FAX [phone] THffi8rffi X014
The applicant claims the pit will be a "dry" operation. Reported drilling of test holes by
Lambert & Associates ofMoettrose, (we have as yet to be provided a copy of their report)
suggested to the applicant there was between 20 and 60 feet of depth to Mancos Shale
bedrock beneath the site. We believe these are reasonable estimates, as we observed
gravel in west fork of Mexican Gulch to be 20.30 feet in thickness. In the existing
Metcalf Pit, immediately east of the proposed operation it is 50-60 feet in depth. The
entire site is underlain by Mancos Shale beneath the gravels, with varying elevations on
the bedrock surface; i.e. erosion of the Mancos Shale surface was not planer, rather
undulating and channel"tied by previous flows of the Llncompaghre River.
The current hydrologic conditions are such that natural precipitation, non~onsumed
irrigation application (approximately 50%) and leakage from ditches and canals recharge
the mesa gravels. When this recharge encounters shale bedrock, saturates the gravels and
moves I<tterally down gradient (usually in a direction similar to the surface topography) it
issues from springs at the base of the gravels along the arroyos which have eroded
through the gravels into the shale bedrock. A prime example of large recharge/irrigation
return flow springs are those at Silver Springs Trout Farm, which flow at rates varying
from 500 to 1000 gpnr after mid-irrigation season.
Testimony from local residents immediately east of the proposed pit indicate the Metcalf
Pit, which now contains an excavated pond at it's base, 511s with water during spring and
summer months and water levels decline once irrigation season terminates, until it is dry
(fast year) from. late fall through winter. This has been observed in numerous locations
along the rim of Spring Creek Nlesa, including springs on the Bean Ranch. Phyreatophyte
(water seeking) vegetation located in the arroyos southeast of the Pit, and more
particularly in the small arroyo located at the Metcalf Pit northward to Lasalle Road (and
beyond on the Applehanz'Farm) are obvious testimony to the semi-perennial nature of
groundwater discharge along the Nlesa_ Prior to the USBR "winter stock water program",
which supplied domestic water taps for stock in automatic waterers, ditch and caner
leakage alone kept many springs running all year.
The Hillside Homestead (owned by Joyce and Harold Nation) is located in the NWl/4,
NW 1/4„Section 19, immediately adjacent to and east of 6200 Road, the eastern proposed
boundary of the Pit. The Nation's have adjudicated water rights on several springs and
ponds under Division 4 District Water Court in Case #93CW242. Water Judge Robert
Brown decreed the springs and ponds absolute on June 15, 1994. The decree specifies
and spells out the operation of the springs and ponds as issuing surface water beginning
in apring through summer and Fall months. "the water is adjudicated for wildlife,
livestock, irrigation and sub-irrigation of wetlands. Flows from the springs are
individually adjudicated as high as 0,30 cfs (135 gpm), with storage rights of up to 0.42
acre-feet in one pond alone. The elevation of [he Nation Springs and ponds is
approximately SO feet below Spring Creek Mesa surface. The elevation of the water level
in the Atetcatf Pit Pond is similar. We have concluded that there can be no other source
for these water rights but subsurface irritation water recharge from irrigated lands to the
west, and southwest. In addition, the Bean Spring (observed) also receives recharge and
flows fratt irrigated lands to the west. The excavation of this gravel deposit fo shale