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6,,Iewc?5 <br />Colorado <br />June 10, 2011 <br />Ms. Kate Pickford ? <br />Mined Land Reclamation Board <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St, Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />RECOWD <br />RECEIVED <br />.tug w 'U 2011 <br />Durango gird r„ce <br />Division of Recl Jamation, <br />Mining and Safety <br />JUN 2 U 2011 <br />Division of Reclamation, <br />Alining and Safety <br />RE: Weeminuche Construction Authority, Animas Glacier Gravel (AGG), File M-2011-028 <br />Dear Mr. Pickford, <br />Thank you for this opportunity to provide comment on the proposed Animas Glacier Gravel <br />operation. <br />This project was reviewed by the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on <br />March 1, 2011. Approval of the project was conditioned upon the applicant obtaining a <br />Colorado Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) Colorado Discharge Permit (CDPS) for <br />"Discharges Associated with Sand and Gravel Mining". <br />This condition was applied because the project's discharge issues are related specifically to <br />mining operations, and the State has a specific permit and process in place to address the <br />relevant discharge issues. The County requests the State exercise its authority and expertise to <br />ensure that discharges from the site will not negatively impact the downstream Basin Creek. <br />The project is proposed to be located in the area from which Animas-La Plata (A-LP) project <br />gravel was extracted. The area has been reclaimed and runoff from the reclaimed area <br />discharges down a grouted riprap channel to Basin Creek. Basin Creek transmits releases from <br />Lake Nighthorse (A-LP project) to the Animas River. The United States Bureau of <br />Reclamation is responsible for water quality standards on Basin Creek and reports they have an <br />ongoing monitoring program in place. <br />The project proposes to mix stormwater and process water in ponds located on the reclaimed <br />area that drains to Basin Creek. If this water is discharged to Basin Creek, the County requests <br />that DRMS ensure adequate controls and monitoring are in place so Basin Creek is not impacted <br />If the mixed stormwater and process water is, instead, managed to zero-discharge (i.e.: "no <br />PLANNING DEPART\4r:N"r - 970.382-6263. - 1060 E. 2ND AvI:. - DURANGO, COLORADO • 81301