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Memo <br />To: Mr. Tony Waldron August 7, 2001 <br />From: Al Amundson <br />Subject: Adequacy Items for Nix Pit M-2001-046 Groundwater <br />3.1.6 Water -General Requirements <br />(1) Hydrology and Water Quality: Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance <br />of the affected land and surrounding area and to the quantity or quality of water in <br />surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and <br />during reclamation shall be minimized... <br />Owens Brothers have committed to "instituting awell-monitoring program that will help determine <br />any adverse affects to neighboring water tables caused by the proposed mining operation. The <br />monitoring wells will be placed in strategic locations across the site, and may include wells owned <br />by any neighbors who agree to let Owens Brothers use their well data in the study. Five quarters of <br />data will be gathered before any mining below existing groundwater levels take place." <br />In my conversation August 1, 2001 with Mr. Tug Martin of Banks & Gesso he indicated that <br />monitoring of wells on the property is ongoing, and that they will be meeting with their hydrologic <br />consultant (Wright Water Engineers). I asked if they had decided how many wells or their location, <br />and he said they would be developing that plan in the near future. <br />Mr. Martin also provided us with their Temporary Substitute Supply Plan that has been submitted to <br />the State Engineer's office. This plan does not address the surrounding up-gradient water users, but <br />does appear to indicate that they have sufficient water to provide replacement water if they lower the <br />up-gradient water table. <br />Prior to permit approval, there should be a plan which will quantify how much drop in the ground <br />water table is acceptable at each location, and an action level below which remediation measures will <br />be instituted to maintain or raise the ground water table. This plan should also specify the <br />mechanism by which the water table will be restored and how long it will take to implement the <br />restoration. <br />We believe that Owens Brothers should enter into an agreement with each adjacent water user <br />regarding their wells and/or wetlands, including the amount of drop which signifies damage, and the <br />mechanism to repair that damage. <br />