2010-07-16_REVISION - P2008043

• Permit No: P2008043
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 7/16/2010
• Doc Name: Brief on Powertech's Modification
• From: DRMS
• To: DNR
• Type & Sequence: MD4
• Email Name: ACS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY v'
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203 C O L O RA D O
Phone: [phone]illt+ ??? ?t!?r l'?F I! 'I'a) ? DIVISION O F
FAX: [phone] RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
DATE: July 16, 2010 ??
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
TO: Mike King, Executive Director, DNR L°
Mike King
S Executive Director
FROM: Allen Sorenson Loretta E. Pirieda
Director
RE: Brief on Powertech's modifications MD-02, MD-03, and MD-04
to Prospecting Notice of Intent No. P-2008-043
Powertech (USA) Inc. filed modification MD-02 to their Prospecting Notice P-2008-043 on March 4, 2009.
MD-02 had proposed a surface infiltration/evaporation pit for disposal of water to be produced during an
aquifer pump test. State Representative Randy Fischer expressed interest in modification MD-02, and then
Director Ron Cattany committed the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) to keep
Representative Fischer advised of the status of MD-02. On September 2, 2009, MD-02 was withdrawn
from consideration by Powertech and modification MD-03 was submitted. MD-03 proposed temporary
surface storage in tanks followed by underground injection of ground water pumped from a monitoring
well for the purpose of aquifer testing. On September 16, 2009, DRMS advised Representative Fischer of
these developments via memorandum sent by both regular and email, also asking that he notify DRMS if
he wanted continued updates on MD-03. DRMS did not hear back from Representative Fischer following
the issuance of the September 16, 2009 memo. A copy of that memo is enclosed. DRMS has not, as of this
date, issued authorization to proceed under MD-03. Powertech must post $63,670.00 to gain DRMS
authorization. Powertech must also obtain an Underground Injection Control Permit from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to proceed with the MD-03 activities; DRMS and EPA have
coordinated our respective reviews of Powertech's underground injection proposal. As of this date, the
EPA permit has not been issued. `
Powertech (USA) Inc. filed modification MD-04 to their Prospecting Notice P-2008-043 on June 23, 2010.
MD-04 was for the laying of 1500 feet of two inch polyethylene tubing from the pump test well to a
headwaters tributary of Spring Creek, located northwest of Nunn in Weld County. The tubing is to be used
to transport water produced during pump testing to the creek where it will be discharged in conformance
with Mineral Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board, Rule 3.1.6(1)(a and
b), which states:
(1) Hydrology and Water Quality: Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected
land and of the surrounding area and to the quantity or quality of water in surface and groundwater
systems both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation shall be minimized by
measures, including, but not limited to:
(a) compliance with applicable Colorado water laws and regulations governing injury to existing
water rights;
(b) compliance with applicable federal and Colorado water quality laws and regulations, including
statewide water quality standards and site-specific classifications and standards adopted by the
Water Quality Control Commission.
Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Office
Denver Grand )unction Durango Active and Inactive Mines