2009-07-15_PERMIT FILE - M2009023

• Permit No: M2009023
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 7/15/2009
• Doc Name: Response to phone conversation
• From: DRMS
• To: Harry Goff
• Email Name: WHE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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]
RECEIVED
July 15, 2009 JUL 2 2 2009
?,
Harry Goff D MIS g a d Safety
1824 Eastlawn
Durango, CO 81301
RE: Response to Phone Conversation, Red Mesa Pit, File No. M-2009-023.
Dear Mr. Goff:
COLORADO
D I V I S ION OF
RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director
Ifonald W. Cattany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
During our phone conversation from July 14, you indicated that several of your concerns, raised
in your May 4, 2009 correspondence, had not been addressed to your satisfaction. Herein, the
Division attempts to clarify its position on the issues raised in your May 4 correspondence. The
Division's response has been numbered to correspond with the numbered issues raised in your
May 4 correspondence.
1. There appears no conflict or contradiction between the text of the Mining Plan and the
direction of mining illustrated on the Active Mining Map. According to the proposed Mining Plan
and Active Mining Map, future excavations will commence at the northwest end of the active pit
area, where mineable resources exist, and will advance in an easterly direction. Mining activities
conducted under the previous permit depleted mineable resources from the western half of the
permit area. The depleted areas have been reclaimed. The proposed operation does not intend
to re-disturb reclaimed areas where mineable reserves have been consumed. Therefore, future
mining activity will occur east of the existing pond and reclaimed lands, and will advance across
the active pit area where mineable resources exist.
2. The Applicant has committed to mining above the water table and will not expose ground
water in addition to the existing pond already addressed by the Office of the State Engineer,
Division of Water Resources. Mineable materials may exist below the water table but the
Applicant has committed to not expose ground water. Therefore, mineable materials below the
water table will not be extracted by future mining activities.
3. The elevation of ground water at this site appears to be somewhat associated with the
elevation of the water surface in the existing pond. The Applicant has committed to mining above
the water table and will not expose ground water. Therefore, the maximum depth of excavation is
apparent and engineering cross sections of the proposed excavation appear unwarranted.
4. The original 111 permit produced clean aggregate for asphalt products. Therefore, wash
and/or process water was utilized previously and the Operator attained the necessary permits for
such processing. However, the proposed new permit will produce sand and gravel. Wash and/or
process water are necessary for production of clean aggregate but not for sand and gravel. The
Office of Office of
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