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•� RECEIVED <br />x,11,;2/2014 <br />Golder DIVISION OF RECLAMATION <br />- MINING AND SAFETY <br />Associates TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM <br />Date: August 22, 2014 Project No.: 1400159 <br />To: Eric Scott Company: Colorado Division of Mining <br />Reclamation and Safety <br />From: Sara Harkins and Randy March <br />cc: Joel Bolduc, Holcim (US) Inc. Email: sharkins @golder.com <br />RE: BOETTCHER LIMESTONE QUARRY BARIUM CONCENTRATIONS YO — / 977 --3� <br />This technical memorandum provides additional information regarding the presence of barium within the <br />Niobrara Formation collected in response to the May 28, 2014 meeting between the Colorado Division of <br />Mining Reclamation and Safety (DRMS), Holcim (US) Inc., and Golder Associates. This supplemental <br />information is submitted in connection with technical evaluations for the Boettcher Limestone Quarry <br />located in LaPorte, Colorado and referred to herein as the site. <br />Due to barium concentrations above benchmark levels in some of the site wells, the DRMS requested a <br />review and summary of published information on occurrence of barium in the Niobrara Formation and <br />Codell Sandstone and associated groundwater. In addition to a review of papers by Tourtelot and Cobban <br />(1968) and Caraway (1990) as recommended by the DRMS, Golder conducted a thorough literature <br />search for the presence of either barium or barite in the Niobrara Formation as determined by applicable <br />whole -rock or fractionated methodologies. Literature discussing the presence of barium and other trace <br />metals within groundwater derived from the Niobrara Formation or Codell Sandstone was also queried. <br />Due to its depositional context during the presence of the Western Interior Seaway, portions of the <br />Niobrara extend as far north as Saskatchewan and as far south as Texas. However, whenever possible, <br />literature sources were chosen with close geographic ties to the site to provide the most similar geologic <br />context. <br />Barium Occurrence in Groundwater <br />In Colorado the Niobrara Formation and its surrounding formations are not generally considered good <br />sources of groundwater, due to their low production rates (Pearl 1974). Consequently, information <br />regarding groundwater quality is sparse for the Niobrara in Colorado. <br />The Wyoming State Geological Survey published the Green River Basin Water Plan II, Groundwater <br />Study in 2010 (Surdam 2010). This study assessed groundwater resources in the Greater Green River <br />Basin (GGRB) of southwestern Wyoming and adjacent areas in Colorado and Utah. This study divided <br />the GGRB basin into sub - basins and characterized the aquifers groundwater chemistry characteristics for <br />water quality purposes. Two of the sub - basins identified are the Washakie and Sand Wash basins. These <br />i \14\ 1400159 \0122 \tm- banumconcentrations fnl- 22aug14 \1400159 tm- banumconcentrations fnl- 22aug14 docx <br />Golder Associates Inc. <br />44 Union Boulevard, Suite 300 <br />Lakewood, CO 80228 USA <br />Tel (303) 980 -0540 Fax (303) 985 -2080 www golder com <br />Golder Associates: Operations in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America <br />Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation <br />