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Information Network for Responsible Mining <br />INFO .~ <br />2161 Toney Pine Drive <br />Evergreen, CO 80439 <br />303.881.8645 <br />brianfarn sworth (a7 i n formcolorado. org <br />02-28-2008 ~~~~~~ <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety "'~~ ~ 3 2008 <br />Department of Natural Resources Divisio~~ u~ r~ec~amatiorti. <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 ~ Mining and Safety <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />RE: Public connmen~ n San Luis Project, Permit Amendment (AM-03), Battle <br />Mounter I~sources, Inc. (File No. M-88-112) <br />Dear Division staff, <br />Thank you for the opportunity to offer these public comments regazding the Regulaz <br />(112d) Design<~ted Mining Operation Reclamation Permit Application Package, <br />Amendment AM-03, for Battle Mountain Resources, Inc.'s (BMRI) San Luis Project (M- <br />88-112). <br />Information Network for Responsible Mining ("INFORM") is a nonprofit organization <br />with the mission of educating the public about the dangers that exist when unsafe and <br />irresponsible nursing practices are permitted. Through the dissemination of information <br />and education, INFORM helps organize residents in local communities most threatened <br />by these practices to protect water quality, quality of life, and the local economy. <br />This letter is intended to notify the Division of our concerns in regazds to BMRI's <br />proposed Permit Amendment, AM-03. This permit amendment asserts that ground water <br />in the West Pit: has been properly rinsed and stabilized so that the water quality is now the <br />same as existed pre-mining (AM-03, Executive Summary, page 1). Therefore, BMRI <br />proposes to close the operating water treatment plant currently treating ground water <br />pumped from the West Pit, and to utilize West Pit ground water by transferring it to the <br />adjacent Salazar Ranch for crop irrigation. We aze aware of objections to BMRI's very <br />similaz Amendlment, AM-02, proposed more than a year ago. Objectors to that <br />Amendment included the Town of San Luis, the Costilla County Conservancy District, <br />the Board of County Commissioners of Costilla County, Bridges of Health, Costilla <br />County Commuttee for Environmental Soundness, Rio Culebra Agricultural Cooperative, <br />and the Montes Ditch Members. This issue has raised significant concern among a lazge <br />group of elects;d officials, organizations, and local citizens interested in protecting their <br />water resources. However, it does not appear that the new Amendment substantively <br />addresses the concerns identified in those objections. INFORM would like to urge the <br />