2008-06-03_PERMIT FILE - M2008009

• Permit No: M2008009
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 6/3/2008
• Doc Name: Second adequacy review
• From: DRMS
• To: 3B Enterprises, LLC
• Email Name: THM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(N _!{?^'/ STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
v /June 3, 2008

Mr. Steve Baker
3B Enterprises, LLC
Dear Mr. BakerF /

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? Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
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P.O. Box 1665 Ronald W. Cattany
Craig, CO 81626 / Division Director
atural Resource Trustee
Re: Lyster Pit, 112 Permit Application No. M-2008-009, Second Adequacy Review.
The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is conducting the review process for the above referenced 112
amendment application. A review of the response submitted by 3B Enterprises, LLC to address the issues listed
in the Preliminary Adequacy Review has revealed a few more issues and clarifications that need to be addressed.
1) Rule 6.4.7(1) requires the operator to directly state if surface water or groundwater will be affected by the mining
operation. The applicant stated that groundwater would not be affected by mining activities; this is an incorrect
statement considering that mining operations will expose groundwater. Our records search with the Office of
the State Engineer (Division of Water Resources) indicates that 4 wells are permitted with in 1,300 feet of
the proposed mine. In that these wells are alluvial groundwater wells, they may be impacted by the mining
operation. In accordance with Rule 6.4.7(2)(b), the Division requests that the applicant identify and characterize
the aquifer to be mined in or through. The Division also requests that the applicant define or predict the cone of
depression expected for any areas to be dewatered. The cone of depression and assessment of other effects
should define, at a minimum, the horizontal and vertical extent of expected impacts. If during the assessment,
the applicant determines that a drawdown effect will occur offsite that may impact a current groundwater user,
the applicant should explain any mitigation measures to be implemented and trigger points that would cause
mitigation measures to be put into effect. The Applicant will also need to establish a baseline for the current
groundwater levels through at least 5 quarters of groundwater level measurement.
Response: Monitoring wells will be placed between proposed pit site and closest wells and monitored for
water levels along boundaries of adjacent lands.
The response provided did not address a few key issues. Please provide a model or estimate, supported
by data, of the extent of the cone of depression, including the radius and amount of drawdown that will be
created by the dewatering process. Also, please provide a map indicating the locations of the monitoring
wells, which also depicts the locations of private wells. Also, provide the specifications of the monitoring
wells that will be constructed.
2) The applicant should be aware that Rule 3.1.6 (1) of the Construction Material Rules and Regulations
require that disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land and to the surrounding
area and to the quantity and quality of water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after the
mining operation and during reclamation shall be minimized. In that the proposed operation includes
dewatering of the pits, the potential for impacts to groundwater exists. Please indicate how the hydrologic
balance of groundwater in and around the permit site will be monitored.
COLORADO
DIVISION O F
RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines