2015-03-04_HYDROLOGY - M1979097 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

,�v DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES Mr. Jared Dains, P.E. Applegate Group, Inc. 1490 West 121 th Ave., Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80234 -2728 February 27, 2015 Re: vEast Rigden Pit Substitute Water Supply Plan (WDID 0302570) DRMS Permit No. M- 1979 -097 (WDID 0303021) Section 28, T7N, R68W, 6th P.M. Water Division 1, Water District 3, Larimer County Approval Period: March 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016 Contact Phone Number for Mr. Dains: 303 - 452 -6611 Dear Mr. Dains: John W. Hickenlooper Governor Mike King Executive Director Dick Wolfe, P.E. Director /State Engineer RECEIVED t4AR 0420;0 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING AND SAFETY We have reviewed your letter dated December 26, 2014 requesting approval of a substitute water supply plan ( "SWSP ") on behalf of City of Fort Collins ( "Applicant" or "City ") in accordance with 5 37 -90- 137(11), C.R.S., to cover depletions caused by an existing gravel pit operation known as the East Rigden Pit. This site was previously covered under the Lafarge's Middle Poudre combined SWSP; however a separate SWSP was obtained for the site in 2006. The required renewal fee of $257 (receipt no. 3667792) has been received. SWSP Operation The East Rigden Pit (WDID 0303021) is a gravel pit operation located in Sections 21, 27 and 28, Township 7 North, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M., in Larimer County. The City has recently acquired a portion of the East Rigden Pit, as shown on the attached Figure 1 ( "Fort Collins Parcel ") and is in the process of amending the mining permit with the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety ( "DRMS ") to authorize a lined reservoir as a post- reclamation land use. The Applicant anticipates submitting an amendment application to the DRMS in early 2015. Construction of a compacted clay liner around the Fort Collins Parcel was completed in September 2014. A 90 -day leak test was commenced in early February 2015 and is anticipated to be completed in early May 2015. Work on the reservoir is expected to be substantially complete by April 2015. Depletions Depletions at the East Rigden Pit will consist of water used for dust control purposes during this plan period, and lagged depletions due to past mining and dewatering operations at the site. All 25 acres of ground water exposed at the East Ridden Pit has been documented as having been exposed at the site prior to January 1, 1981. Pursuant to S 37- 90- 137(11)(b), C.R.S. and 2009CW49, a gravel pit operator or property owner does not need to replace depletions that occur due to evaporation from ground water exposed prior to January 1, 1981 ( "pre -81 ") as a result of open mining of sand and gravel, regardless of whether mining continued after December 31, 1980 ( "post -80 "). The physical location of the East Rigden Pit's pre -81 areas has previously been identified, as shown on the attached Figure 1, and may not be re- allocated to other areas of ground water exposure within the gravel pit boundary. Any pre -81 area that is backfilled will lose the pre -81 exemption should it be excavated in the future. Additionally, the backfilling of a pre -81 area shall Office of the State Engineer 1313 Sherman Street, Suite 818 • Denver, CO 80203 • Phone: 303 -866 -3581 • Fax: 303 - 866 -3589 www.water.state.co.us