2008-04-17_PERMIT FILE - M2008009

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STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETv Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3567 FAX: (303) 832-8106 ~~~~~~~ 2 ~. ~oaa APR Lion, April 17, 2008 of y~eciama Division and Safety Mining Mr. Steve Baker 3B Enterprises, LLC P.O. Box 1665 Craig, CO 81626 ~q„ auo~ - ov9 Re: Lyster Pit, 112 Permit Application No. M-200 ,Preliminary Adequacy Review. Dear Mr. Baker: COLORADO DIVISION O F RECLAMATION MINING - &- SAF ETY Bill Ritter, Jr. Governor Harris D. Sherman Executive Director Ronald W. Cattany Division Director Natural Resource Trustee The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety has begun the review process for the above referenced 112 amendment application. The project appears to be a straight forward construction material extraction and processing operation. A review of the application has revealed a few issues and clarifications to address. 1) Rule 6.4.7(1) requires the operator to directly state if surface water or groundwater will be affected by the mining operation. The applicant stated that groundwater would not be affected by mining activities; this is an incorrect statement considering that mining operations will expose groundwater. Our records search with the Office of the State Engineer (Division of Water Resources) indicates that 4 wells are permitted with in 1,300 feet of the proposed mine. In that these wells are alluvial groundwater wells, they may be impacted by the mining operation. In accordance with Rule 6.4.7(2)(b), the Division requests that the applicant identify and characterize the aquifer to be mined in or through. The Division also requests that the applicant define or predict the cone of depression expected for any areas to be dewatered. The cone of depression and assessment of other effects should define, at a minimum, the horizontal and vertical extent of expected impacts. If during the assessment, the applicant determines that a drawdown effect will occur offsite that Inay impact a current groundwater user, the applicant should explain any mitigation measures to be implemented and trigger points that would cause mitigation measures to be put into effect. The Applicant will also need to establish a baseline for the current groundwater levels tllrough at least 5 quarters of groundwater level measurement. 2) The applicant should be aware that Rule 3.1.6 (1) of the Construction Material Rules and Regulations require that disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land and to the surrounding area. and to the quantity and quality of water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation shall be minimized. In that the proposed operation includes dewatering of the pits, the potential for impacts to groundwater exists. Please indicate how the hydrologic balance of groundwater in and around the permit site will be monitored. 3) Per Rule 6.4.4 (c), please provide more detail as to which direction the water will flow during mining and what methods will be used to de-water during mining operations. Please clarify where water from the mine will be discharged and provide a singed affidavit that indicates that the operator has consent to discharge water into the proposed water conveying structure. 4) Per Rule 3.1.10 (5), to insure the establishment of a diverse and long lasting vegetative cover, the operator shall employ appropriate techniques of site preparation and protection such as mechanical soil conditioning by discing and ripping; mulching; soil amendments and fertilizers; and irrigation. What methods will the operator employ to insure successful establishment of vegetation. Office of Office of Mined Land Reclamation Denver Grand Junction Durango Active and Inactive Mines