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M, '9009 -0.13 ,? <br /> <br />May 4, 2009 <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />A4-?_-018 o <br /> <br />? ,;??? 0 7 2003 <br />RE: Red Mesa Pit, La Plata County, Permit No. NV -J296-08f <br />Dear Division Representative: <br />I recently received a Certified Letter from Skanska USA in Cortez, Colorado <br />regarding a proposed conversion from an existing Reclamation Permit to a Regular <br />Construction Material Operation Reclamation Permit. We are a neighboring property to <br />where the present permit is located. I assume this is why we were notified. <br />First, let me say that I am not opposed to a gravel operation at this location. My <br />concern is primarily on water rights and water quality on the La Plata River. We hold <br />water rights on Cherry Creek which are right above and tributary to the La Plata River. I <br />read through the application information at the La Plata County Clerk's office and had <br />several questions and comments: <br />1. The Mining Plan shows arrows which indicate the direction of excavation will be to <br />the north and east of the existing pond. The text attached says: "New mining will <br />begin in the NW portion ..."' There seems to be a conflict here. <br />2. The Water Plan says: "Remaining portion ... will be mined in a fashion to not expose <br />any additional groundwater „ .." It would seem that, with the stream cobble being <br />down at the pond level (not sure of the overburden thickness), the groundwater would <br />be exposed if the arrows of excavation are accurate. <br />3. No cross-section of mining progress was included, only a finished reclamation <br />contour map was included. It is difficult to tell at what elevation the actual mining <br />will take place. <br />4. The application mentions wash and process water. Is this coming out of the pond? <br />River? Well? In any event there would be some depletions associated. <br />5. I visited the local (Durango) office of the Division of Water Resources with some <br />questions on how the river system would be effected. They apparently had received <br />the same notice, but had not begun to respond. They did not seem to know if the <br />existing pond's evaporative depletions were covered by a plan of augmentation or <br />whether an outdated substitute supply plan was still being relied upon.. i, contacted the _ <br />Water Commissioner who might know more about this, but he had not received any <br />details on this application. <br />My point with all of this is that I think the application is incomplete in that there <br />is no definitive way to tell at what elevation they will be working and how the <br />groundwater will be effected. I would like a response to these questions and to be kept <br />informed as the application is further evaluated by your office. <br />cc: Matt Schmitt, Div. Of Water Resources <br />SKANSKA Cortez <br />Sincerely, <br />Harry Goff <br />1824 EastlaZn,Au an , C O 8 1