2010-08-27_REVISION - M1977300

• Permit No: M1977300
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 8/27/2010
• Doc Name: Response/Comments
• From: OSE
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: AM2
• Email Name: DB2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
Response to Reclamation Permit Application Consideration
DATE: August 27, 2010
TO: David A. Bird, Environmental Protection Specialist
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Mike King
Executive Director
"21.
Dick Wolfe, P.E.
Director/State Engineer
CC: Division 1 Office, District 7 Water Commissioner
FROM: loana Comaniciu, P.E.
RE: Schawartzwalder Mine, File No. M-1977-300
Operator: Amory Quinn-Cotter Corporation N.S.L.-719-254-7413 ext. 202
Contact: John Hamrick-Cotter Corporation N.S.L -719-254-7413 ext. 202
Section 25, Twp 2 South, Rng 71 West, 6th P.M., Jefferson County
CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL
® The proposed amendment to the existing operation does not anticipate exposing groundwater.
Therefore, exposure of ground water must not occur during or after mining operations. The
Schwartswalder Mine is a reclaimed underground uranium mine that was operated from 1953 to 2000.
During operations, the Schwartzwalder Mine was kept dry by pumping water from the lower levels of the
mine to the surface where it was treated and discharged to the Ralston Creek. Mining operations have
ceased in 2000 and the operator is in the process of reclaiming the site. The dewatering pumps were
shut off in 2000, and the mine was allowed to flood. The water treatment process ceased on June 30,
2002. The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate modifications to the Environmental Protection
Plan ("EPP") to address the issues raised by Division Reclamation Mining and Safety ("Safety") in a
letter dated May 19, 2010. Specifically, DRMS is concerned about the possibility of the mine pool water
migrating downgradient along ground water conduits and discharging into Ralston Creek. Therefore the
revised EPP will address the concerns related to environmental impacts from radionuclides and other
contaminants in the alluvium and in the filling mine pool. The operator is required to reinitiate a water
treatment system to treat all water that reports to Sump No. 1, reinitiate mine dewatering and water
discharge sufficient to bring the mine water table to at least 500 feet, and ensure that all discharges from
water treatment systems are made in compliance with the Water Quality Control Act. According to the
information provided, on July 2, 2002, the operator installed a new ion exchange water treatment system
to capture and treat ground water in the alluvium and fill.
® Although the mine dewatering involves significant technical challenges, note that in case of dewatering
the mine site a dewatering system permit must be obtained on the condition that all groundwater
pumped "must be discharged to the nearest stream without consumptive use or evaporative losses".
This dewatering well/system permit cannot be issued unless that operator demonstrates that the
requirements of no consumptive use or evaporative losses of the ground water will be achieved. In
addition the applicant must provide evidence to the Division Engineer that the dewatering
system will not result in injury to other water rights.
COMMENTS: If stormwater runoff is intercepted by this operation and is not diverted or captured in priority, it
must be released to the stream system within 72 hours. This may require a discharge permit from CDPHE-
WQCD. Otherwise, the operator will need to make replacements for evaporation. The applicant may contact the
State Engineer's Office with any questions.
Office of the State Engini'1 AUG ?,
1313 Sherman Street, Suite 818 • Denver, CO 80203 • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] UG 2 ' 2010
www.water.state.co.us G.vision a, c? is ori,
it ning and Safety
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