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Ms. Kate Pickford <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation and Mine Safety <br />691 CR 233, Ste A2 <br />Durango, CO 81301 <br />Re: Request for Release of a Portion of the Red <br />Dear Ms. Pickford: <br />Sincerely, <br />fp <br />Caleb Fo , E.I.T. <br />Water Resources Engineer <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES <br />November 21, 2011 <br />cc: Rege Leach, Division 7 Engineer (via email) <br />Matt Schmitt, District 33 Water Commissioner (via email) <br />NOV L 8 all <br />Division or rteclamation, <br />Mining and Safety <br />Mesa Pit (DRMS Permit No. 2009 -023) <br />f <br />Office of the State Engineer <br />1313 Sherman Street, Suite 818 • Denver, CO 80203 • Phone: 303 - 866 -3581 • Fax: 303 - 866 -3589 <br />www.water.state.co.us <br />gr 0/ <br />o,23 <br />John W. Hickenlooper <br />Governor <br />Mike King <br />Executive Director <br />Dick Wolfe, P.E. <br />Director /State Engineer <br />This letter is to serve as a revision and clarification of our comments dated February 8, 2011 and February 9, 2011 <br />regarding the release of 12.4 acres of the Red Mesa Pit, DRMS Permit No. 2009 -023. The request is being made as <br />the area has been designated for mitigation under the Section 404 Permit (SPK- 200375243) for the Long Hollow <br />Reservoir. Upon release of the subject area from the DRMS permit, the landowner, Mr. Pat Greer, will enter into <br />an agreement with the La Plata Water Conservancy District (District) for mitigation work to take place at the site. <br />Upon construction of the wetlands during the summer of 2011, it is our understanding that spring <br />collection /drainage system referenced in the January 3, 2002 letter from former Division Engineer Kenneth <br />Beegles has been partially removed and is not functioning. Therefore, it is our conclusion that the former gravel <br />pit at the site is exposing ground water in an over - appropriated area of the La Plata River. Currently, both <br />evaporation of the exposed ground water in the former gravel pit and evapotranspiration of the mitigation <br />wetlands are being covered under the District's substitute water supply plan approved on June 7, 2011 for the <br />period June 1, 2011— May 31, 2012. It is our understanding that the District will continue to renew the substitute <br />water supply plan until construction of Long Hollow Reservoir is complete, at which point it will become the <br />permanent augmentation source for the mitigation site. <br />We have no objection to the above- referenced release of 12.4 acres from the Red Mesa Pit, DRMS Permit No. <br />2009 -023. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, feel free to contact me directly. <br />Durango g f ri <br />M i ning and Sqm t t,° <br />Y <br />• <br />