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M-2008-078 - GP Ranches, LLC - West Farm Pit - 112 (c) Application Adequacy Review 01 Response <br />March 17, 2009 <br />-5- <br />16. The Reclamation Plan states that a perimeter drain will be installed if needed to convey <br />groundwater around the lined reservoir. The applicant should identify the trigger(s) that will <br />determine whether the installation of the drain is needed. <br />GP is currently measuring groundwater levels in their monitoring wells that are around the <br />perimeter of the site. If groundwater levels vary by more than 3 feet from their historic <br />seasonal levels once reclamation is complete, then the perimeter drain will be installed to <br />convey groundwater from the upgradient (south) side to the downgradient side (north) in <br />order to equalize the groundwater levels. <br />17. According to the Reclamation Plan, part of phase 20 may be filled in if there is excess material. <br />Please clarify where phase 20 is located. <br />The mine phasing has been modified to address concerns from the property owners adjacent to <br />the south side of the site, and includes 18 total phases. The mining will occur in the north cell <br />first (phases 1-13), and then proceed to the south cell (phases 14-18). All or portions of phases <br />14 through 18 may be backfilled if there is excess material. An updated Exhibit C Mining Plan <br />Map is attached that shows the modified phasing locations. <br />18. The Reclamation Plan states that inlet and outlet facilities for the reservoir will be designed <br />when the end use of the reservoir is identified. Please provide the Division with the general <br />location of these structures and identify them on the Reclamation Plan Map. If the location of <br />these structures needs to be changed, it can be done by submitting a Technical Revision to the <br />Division. <br />An updated Exhibit F Reclamation Plan Map is attached that identifies the general location of <br />the inlet and outlet facilities. <br />19. As required by Rule 6.4.5(2) (b), please provide a comparison of the post-mining land use to other <br />land uses in the vicinity and to adopted state and local land use programs. <br />The post-mining land use is expected to be a water storage reservoir which fits in well with <br />the agricultural nature of the area. The site is surrounded by farm fields with several <br />reservoirs approximately one-quarter mile to the northwest. Prowers County administers <br />the land use and development in this area. The site lies within the Lamar Joint Planning <br />Area (LJPA), an area within the County's long term land use master plan. Because a major <br />portion of the proposed mine lies within the 100 year floodplain, it lies within a <br />Conservation Policy Area as recommended by the LJPA Framework Plan. The expected <br />post-mining use as a water storage reservoir fits well with this open space/greenbelt plan <br />for this policy area. <br />20. As required by Rule 6.4.5(2)(e), please provide an estimate of the periods of time which will be <br />required for the various stages or phases of reclamation. <br />The following table summarizes the estimated time periods for the reclamation of the <br />individual phases. <br />V 1400 W 122nd Avenue - Suite 120 - Westminster CO 80234 - Ph: 303-457-0735 - Fax: 303-920-0343