Laserfiche WebLink
07/21/03 15:46 FA% 970 325 7333 THM&6t <br />Mr. Carl B. Mount <br />July 21, 2003 <br />Page 3 of 10 <br />systems both during and after the mining operation and during <br />reclamation shall be minimized by measures, including, but not limited to: <br />(a) compliance with applicable Colorado water laws and regulations <br />governing injury to existing water rights; <br />(b) compliance with applicable federal and Colorado water quality <br />' laws and regulations, including statewide water quality <br />standards and site-specific classifications and standards <br />adopted by the Water Quality Control Commission; <br />The Haldorson application does not reveal sufficient data, in scope, quality or <br />extent, to conclude that the project's disturhance to the prevailing hydrologic <br />balance and to the quantity and quality of surface and ground water systems <br />has been designed to be, and is, minimized. <br />Initially; the application fails to accurately and completely measure and <br />define the prevailing hydrologic balance and pre-mining water quantity and <br />quality~of the affected and potentially affected area. <br />Further, the application fails to accurately identify and quantify the probable <br />impacts of the operation and reclamation on the prevailing hydrologic <br />balance and water quantity and quality. <br />My clients have generated substantial credible study and authority <br />concluding that: <br />... the' excavation of this gravel deposit to shale bedrock in a <br />°milf3 long, north/south strip will diminish or eliminate flows to <br />[local] water rights, probably dry up [a nearby pond], and <br />diminish recharge flows back to Mexican Gulch. In addition, it <br />will cut off natural precipitation which would recharge these <br />vvater rights, and would create a very large "gravel well", a <br />g"roundwater sink in this section of ISpring Creek] Mesa. <br />In our opinion, it is extremely unlikely that this gravel pit would <br />6"e a dry operation 6-9 months of the year.' <br />004 <br />~ WesiWoter Assodates, Inc, Preliminary Opinbn -Groundwater Impacts of Haldorson Proposed Gravel Pit, lone 20, <br />2003, pp. 2=3. <br />