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Response <br />The vent shafts have been located near existing roads to minimize surface disturbance; <br />however, some flexibility will be needed because the ultimate location of the mine drifts <br />will be dependent on exploration conducted underground as the drift advances. The vent <br />shafts will pass through three to four small, unconfined perched aquifers. These aquifers <br />will be sealed off in accordance with state regulations. <br />Comment 3, cons: <br />• Discharge into Lumsden Canyon: <br />We request that DRMS require frequent water quality monitoring of any and all <br />discharges into ephemeral drainages and other drainages, including discharges into <br />Lumsden Canyon. As it is stated within the Whirlwind Environmental Protection Plan <br />that "water will be discharged into an ephemeral tributary to Lumsden Creek, which <br />when flowing, discharges into the Dolores River, " we request DBMS evaluate any <br />discharges into the Dolores River and the resulting impacts to aquatic life, including <br />impacts to threatened and endangered species. DRMS should ensure that all ground <br />and surface water quality standards are met, including any surface streams found on <br />Colorado's 303(d) list. <br />Response <br />The Colorado Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) has jurisdiction for regulating <br />surface water discharges in Colorado. Discharges of treated water from the Whirlwind <br />Mine to the ephemeral drainage are sampled and analyzed weekly in accordance with our <br />approved permit with WQCD. These results are submitted monthly to WQCD with a <br />copy to the BLM. The permit limits for constituents of concern were developed based on <br />direct discharge to the Dolores River, even though our discharge will not reach the river <br />unless there is a major storm event that produces flow throughout the five-mile length of <br />Lumsden Canyon. To the best of our knowledge, the Dolores River and its tributaries in <br />this portion of the basin are not on the 303(d) list. <br />DRMS has requested that we sample water in the sedimentation pond on a quarterly <br />basis; we will agree to that request provided there is water to sample (i.e., a sizeable <br />storm event has to occur before we will see any water in the pond). This requirement will <br />be incorporated into our Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) for the site. There is <br />currently a SWMP in place for the exploration activities taking place on site. A SWMP <br />for mine operations will be prepared and submitted to the BLM, DRMS, and WQCD as <br />part of the permitting process. <br />7~,i~~: r~~~. }~1E 1,,{1~~(:},tiflyyE~r~.•.c~;; C`fa3~~cr1~~~Ei~~n a~~ l(ifii(€~~~.3 qq~,.~tai}}~9v~tr~l. quit€~ ttE)t) <br />i ,:.ail ~.lL`{lfi~..~, ~ l~ CTifl.~ii ~'~1t7113'. ~5t~1-7~°I'~~`9{/ <br />