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STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources t 313 Sherman Sc, Roan 215 C O-L O RA D O De11Ver, Colorado a0203 DIVISION O F Phase: (303) 8663567 MINERAL S FAX: (303) 832A706 & GEOLOGY December 29, 2005 BIII Owens Jim Stover, P.E. cO~rnOf J. E. Stover & Associates Russell George Executive Director P.O. Box 60340 Grand Junction, CO 81506 Rawkl w. Canny Division Director Natural Resource Tastee RE: Blue Ribbon Mine, Permit No. C-81-047, Minrec, Inc. 2004 Annual Hydrology Report, Adequacy Review Dear Mr. Stover: The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) has finished its review of Minrec's submittal of the 2004 Annual Hydrology Report for the Blue Ribbon Mine. The Division finds that all of the hydrologic monitoring was performed as required. As in previous years, the data show that the hydrologic regime has not been adversely affected by any impacts from the reclaimed mine site. The predictions contained in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the permit application appear to have been borne out by the data. Concerning water quality in Hubbard Creek, there were no significant increases in conductivity for 2004 as a result of runoff from the mine. Although conductivity at the downgradient Hubbard Creek sampling site increased relative to the upgradient sampling site for two of the four quarters in 2004, the increases were of no significant consequence to water quality in Hubbard Creek or in the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Also, the conductivity measured at the two Hubbard Creek sampling sites essentially stayed the same during the other two quarters of 2004. The north, middle and south underdrains continue to be dry. As stated in the 2004 AHR, this would seem to correlate with the relatively lower water levels in the bench piezometers. However, there is some indication that precipitation in the canyon may be increasing, as evidenced by the lazger than average flow rates in Hubbard Creek for 2004. Comparable flow rates have not been seen since about 1997, although the 2004 data may turn out to be an anomaly. This situation will continue to be monitored. If you have any questions, please call me. Sincerely, r~ ~..~Q.o-~ osep J. Dt~dash Environmental Protection Specialist c:\word\blueribbon\2004ahradegl Office of Office of Colorado Mined Land Rxlamation Active and Inactive Mines GeoloRiratsu