HomeMy WebLinkAbout20091009 • 8.0 STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY
Potable water will be supplied by commercial water service. The Applicant will use
water from an existing well on the Morton Property for all operations including but not
limited to: sand and gravel washing and processing; dust control and, ready mixed
concrete production. An application for a commercial well permit has been filed with the
office of the Colorado State Engineer.
WATER INFORMATION
8.1 General
The Morton Lakes Pit is located west of the South Platte River. Additionally, Big
Dry Creek separates mining Stages 1 and 2 and discharges into the South Platte River
from the west.
Mining at the Morton Lakes Pit will intercept shallow groundwater, which lies
• approximately 5 feet below the ground surface. Deeper bedrock,non-tributary aquifers,
that underlie the site such as the Arapahoe and Laramie Fox-Hills will be unaffected by
the mining operation because of the shallow depth of excavation.
Local surface water ponds,ditches, watercourses, and tributaries are shown on the
pre-mining map (Exhibit C-1). There will be no adverse impacts to the South Platte or
Big Dry Creek because of the Holton Lakes Pit.
8.2 Potential Water Resource Impacts
The proposed Morton Lakes Pit will have minimal impacts on the water resources
in the area. Prior to dewatering Stages 2, 3,4 and 5, a soil-bentonite slurry wall will be
installed around the perimeter of each mining stage. Once the slurry wall in place each
mining stage will be de-watered prior to mining. With the slurry wall in place prior to any
pit de-watering, adverse impacts to the surrounding alluvium will be minimized.
• 2009-1009
Mining Stages 1, located in the south end of the Morton Lakes Pit will not be sealed
• off from the surrounding South Platte aquifer. Mining Stage 1 will be dewatered,mined
and allowed to fill with ground water following mining. Over the life of the pit, wash
fines from the Morton sand and gravel processing plant will be used to backfill Stage 1.
The wash fines will be used to create wetlands for the reclamation of Stage 1
8.3 Discharge Permits
The proposed mine will be dewatered and operated as a dry mine. Alluvial
groundwater from pit dewatering will be discharged into the South Platte and or Big Dry
Creek from various locations. The Applicant previously obtained an NPDES discharge
permit(Facility No.COG-501501) from the Colorado Department of Health and
Environment for the Holton Lakes Pit which will also be used to cover groundwater
discharges from the Morton Lakes Pit. Groundwater will be discharged in accordance
with the approved NPDES permit conditions.
8.4 Surface Water Management
• Runoff from disturbed areas will be managed to protect against pollution of either
surface or groundwater through the implementation of a site specific Storm Water
Management Plan (SWMP) for the Morton Lakes sand and gravel pit.
8.5 Consumptive Water Use
The projected annual consumptive uses of water associated with the proposed
Holton Lakes Sand and Gravel Pit and ready mixed concrete production are described
below.
8.5.1 4% Moisture Loss in Materials
29.4 acre-feet.
8.5.2 Dust Control
2.0 acre-feet.
•
• •
8.5.3 Ready Mixed Concrete Production
• 10.3 acre-feet.
8.5.4 Water Surface Evaporation
51.0 acre-feet.
8.6 Total Projected Annual Water Consumption
92.7 acre-feet.
8.7 Substitute Supply Plan
Ground water depletions of water tributary to the South Platte River, as described
above, will be augmented through a Substitute Water Supply Plan(SWSP)approved by
the State Engineer for the Morton Lakes Pit. There will be no ground water depletions
associated with the proposed Morton Lakes Pit until the Applicant has obtained an
approved SWSP from the Office of the Colorado State Engineer.
Post-reclamation ground water depletions, if any,will be replaced through a Water
• Court approved Plan of Augmentation.
8.8 Hydrologic Balance Overview
Introduction
The proposed Morton Lakes sand and gravel pit is located in parts of Section 1 and
Section 12, Township 1 North, Range 67 West, 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. The
site is approximately one half mile west of Fort Lupton, south of Colorado State Highway
52.
The proposed mining operation is west of the South Platte River. It will affect the
South Platte River in the form of groundwater depletions due to evaporation and water
uses associated with mining. The impacts to the South Platte River can be mitigated
without injury to the vested senior water rights. Mining at the Morton Lakes Sand Pit
will last approximately 10 years.
The proposed reclamation plan will create four slurry wall sealed pits that will not
• be hydraulically connected to the South Platte River alluvial aquifer. The proposed
mining plan will also create one unlined pond totaling approximately 19 acres. This pond
• will be used during mining; however, it will ultimately be backfilled leaving a 2 to 3 acre
shallow pond in the north end of Stage 1 upon completion of mining. The remaining for
mining stages will each be sealed prior to mining and have a total surface area of
approximately 115 acres. A substitute water supply plan(SWSP)pursuant to C.R.S. 37-
90-137, will be filed with and approved by the State Engineer's Office(SEC)) for
replacement of the depletions during the mining phase.
Potential Ground Water Resource Impacts
Ground Water Wells
The Morton Lakes Pit will have minimal impacts on the prevailing hydrologic
balance. Sand and gravel mining related impacts to ground water wells near the Morton
Lakes Pit will be mitigated through the installation of slurry walls around the perimeter of
mining stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 prior to the start of dewatering these stages. Potential ground
water impacts associated with mining Stage 1 will be minimal due to the limited time this
stage is dewatered and the fact that it will ultimately be backfilled as part of the
reclamation plan.
At least one year prior to the start of pit dewatering, the Applicant will install up to
10 ground water monitoring wells in order to evaluate ground water fluctuations and the
potential for adverse impacts to neighboring wells due to mining. Monitoring wells will
be located along the south,west and north permit boundaries. Ground water elevations in
the monitoring wells will be measured monthly. In the event that any neighboring wells
are adversely affected by pit dewatering the Applicant will promptly take steps to
mitigate any adverse impacts.
Cottonwood Trees in the Riparian Corridor
If necessary, in order to protect cottonwood trees from adverse impacts due to pit
de-watering,the Applicant will periodically pump ground water from the dewatered pit to
areas where trees are at risk of damage from dewatering. This technique has been
successfully used in Colorado for over 30 years to protect cottonwood trees from damage
• due to pit de-watering.
• •
• Post Reclamation
Ground water mounding and shadowing associated with the slurry wall sealed
portions of the Morton Lakes Pit are not anticipated to produce any adverse impacts to
adjacent properties. Potential ground water impacts will be mitigated because of the
proximity of Big Dry Creek to sealed Stages 2, 3 and 4. Water elevations in Big Dry
Creek will serve to regulate ground water elevations in the alluvium adjacent to each of
the above three sealed pits.
Water Requirements
Water use at the site will include evaporation from exposed groundwater, sand and
gravel processing,water retained in material removed from the site,concrete batching
and dust control. The mining operation will extract sand and gravel deposits from the
South Platte alluvium that is approximately 30 feet deep and this alluvial groundwater
system is hydraulically connected to the South Platte River. The depth to groundwater is
approximately 5 feet below the surface.
• The South Platte River flows from south to north approximately ''A mile east of
Morton Lakes. Big Dry Creek intersects the southeast corner of Morton Lakes,between
Stages 1 and 4 to the west and north and Stage 2 located southeast of Big Dry. The
Lupton Bottom Ditch bisects Stage 4 from its headgate on Big Dry Creek to the north
boundary of the Stage. Lupton Meadows Ditch diverts from the Lupton Bottom Ditch on
the north side of Stage 4 and flows due north. The Brighton Ditch is located along the
south side of the property as well. The Little Dry Creek intersects the Lupton Bottom
Ditch to the northwest of the property. The Fulton Ditch is located approximately 2 miles
east of the site. The Platteville Ditch diverts from the South Platte downstream of this
site.
Evaporative losses are dependent on the exposed surface area, which will vary
throughout the mining operation. The estimated maximum area of exposed water surface
over the life of the mine will be 19 acres.
The gross annual evaporation for the site is 43 inches or 3.6 feet,which was taken
• from the NOAA Technical Report NWS 33, Evaporation Atlas for the Contiguous 48
• •
United States. Monthly evaporation percentages, as suggested by the SEO were used to
• calculate monthly evaporation. The Climatology of the United State No. 81 provided the
estimated annual precipitation. The annual mean precipitation is 14.90 inches and is
estimated to be an average of the Denver WSFO and Brighton weather stations.
The effective precipitation is computed to determine the net evaporation from the
exposed groundwater. Effective precipitation is calculated as 70%of the average annual
precipitation and is 0.9 feet for the Holton Pit. The net evaporation is then determined by
subtracting the effective precipitation from the gross evaporation. The net annual
evaporation is approximately 2.7 feet,thus the resulting net annual evaporation
consumptive use during the mining operation is 51 acre-feet. The other 115 acres of the
pit will be lined prior to mining and reclamation and will not require augmentation of
evaporative losses.
The water retained in the mined material is considered a consumptive use. The
anticipated amount of material that will be mined each year is 1,000,000 tons. Assuming
4%moisture content by weight as suggested by the SEO,the total annual depletion is
29.4 acre-feet. There will be approximately 2 acre-feet of water used for dust control.
• Concrete will be produced at this site, approximately 50,000 cubic yards or 10.3 acre-feet
of water will be needed.
The maximum annual consumptive use associated with mining are as follows:
• Evaporative Losses= 51 acre-feet
• Moisture Retained in Product=29.4 acre-feet
• Dust Control=2 acre-feet
• Concrete Production= 10.3 acre-feet
Total=92.7 acre-feet
Water Rights and Replacement Water
Replacement water will be provided under the Holton Lakes Substitute Water
Supply Plan approved by the SEO. The Applicant has access to a portfolio of water
rights and may use any combination of the following to make replacements at the site.
• 0.125 shares of Brighton Ditch(estimated consumptive use—24 to 30 acre-feet)
• Fulton Ditch water rights and storage water.
•
• Proposed Agreement with Central Colorado Water Conservancy District to
• convert Holton's irrigation wells to an industrial use. Water from Holton's
existing irrigation wells may supply water for operational needs including, sand
and gravel processing,concrete batching and dust control.
The Applicant will maintain a SWSP until the liner is constructed and approved by
the SEO. If, after completion of the lined reservoirs, there may be up to 8.1 acre-feet of
long-term evaporative depletions if a pond remains in the north end of Stage 1. Any post
reclamation depletions will require augmentation under a court approved augmentation
plan.
Surrounding Water Rights
Exhibit G-1 shows a map of all the water rights and permitted wells within 600 feet
of the site. The SEO tabulation database was used to identify surrounding wells and
water rights shown on the map. Exhibit G-2 is a list of the decreed water rights within
600 ft of the property boundary. Exhibit G-3 is a list of the wells within 600 ft of the
property boundary. Although there may be other wells in the area, they are not registered
• or permitted with the SEO. In addition, it should be noted that the SEO database does not
indicate if a particular well is any longer in active use. This list of wells and water rights
has not been verified in the field to determine if they still exist or their actual location.
This work will be done when the Substitute Water Supply Plan for Morton Lakes is
prepared including the application for the well permit for this gravel pit and the notice
requirement to well owners within 600 feet of this site.
As required by the SEO,a gravel pit well permit will be obtained before mining for
uses pertaining to groundwater at the site. If the use of groundwater at Morton Lakes Pit
results in material injury to surrounding wells,the operator of the site will take all
necessary actions to remedy the injuries.
100-Year Floodplain
The Morton Pit is located in the 100-year floodplain of the South Platte River. A
floodplain use permit will be obtained from Weld County before mining commences.
•
Water Quality
• Groundwater will be pumped and discharged to either directly to the South Platte
River or indirectly through the Big Dry Ditch. An NPDES Permit has been obtained
from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This permit will
remain active while mining operations discharge groundwater from the Morton Lakes Pit.
Runoff from disturbed areas will be managed to protect against pollution of either
surface or groundwater through the implementation of a site specific Storm Water
Management Plan for the Morton Lakes Sand and Gravel Pit.
•
• •
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LEGEND R67 W 4 `'� R66W . -
Morton Property Boundary - •••
a m 600 ft Property Buffer r i
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Applegate EXHIBIT G- 1 Date: 5 Sep 2008
•
Group, Job #: 05-142
Water Resource Advisors for the West
1499West120h Ave.Ste 200 Phone:(303)452.6611 Morton Property Drawn By: KCH
Denver.CO 80234-2728 Fax: (303)452-2759
www.Apple.'gats roup.com e-mail:mfo@applegategroup.com
• • •
Exhibit G-2 Surrounding Water Right Structures(may include wells or water rights that have been decreed)
These structures are listed within 600 ft of Morton Property as of 9/7/2006 from SEO database
However,these structures have not been field verifed and the actual location of these structures may be different than shown on the map
No. ID STRUCTURE_ OWNER_NAME Dec Capacity TS RNG SEC Q160 Q40 Q10 COUNTY Structure Type
1 6598 HOLTON WELL 1-13697 HOLTON,TOM 1.55 C I N 66 W 7 NW SW SW WELD Well or Well field
2 6599 HOLTON WELL 2-13698 HOLTON,TOM 1.11 C I N 66 W 7 NW NW NW WELD Well or Well field
3 6602 HOLTON WELL 5-2216-F HOLTON,TOM 1.55 C 1 N 66 W 7 NW SW SW WELD Well or Well field
4 6920 LAMBRECHT WELL 1-12790 MORTON,MARGARET 2 C 1 N 67 W 12 NE SW SW WELD Well or Well field
•
•
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Exhibit G-3 Surrounding Wens
These wells are listed within 600 ft of Morton Property as of 7/1/2008 from SEO database
However,theme wells have not been field vented and the actual location of these structures may he different than shown on the map
The status code below shows"record changes"that may refer to an existing well and potentially should not be counted as another well.
No. Permit No. Suttix Statue Code Use NAME C/O ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
Record change. A portion of the PO BOX 693
I 12790 It file was modified/corrected. Irrigation MORTON MARGARET V FT LUPTON CO 80621
2 182106 Resubmitted date. Domestic,Stock SCHROEDER BRENT A MARY 1100 DENVER AVE rr LUPTON CO 80621
3 162966 Resubmitted date. Well permit issued. Domestic MORTON MARGARET V PO BOX 693 FT LUPTON CO 80621
Well permit expiration dale PO BOX 693
4 162797 Resubmitted date. extended. Irrigation MORTON MARGARET V FT LUPTON CO 80621
Record change. A portion of the 12032 HWY 52
S 13697 R file was nodifiedharrected. Well permit issued. Irrigation HOLTON TOM FT LUPTON CO 80621
Verbal approval granted to well 12032 HWY 52 •
6 96429 VE construction contractor. Irrigation HOLTON TOM FT LUPTON CO 80621
Household, SCHROEDER BRENT H&MARY 1100 DENVER AVE
7 213063 Well permit issued. Monitoring well A FORT LUPTON CO 80621
Industrial, WRIGHT INVESTMENT GROUP 1011 PJ.F.VF,Ffff1 AVE
8 61793 F Resubmitted date. Well permit issued. Commercial INC GREELEY CO 80631-
WRIGHT INVESTMENT GROUP
9 274247 Resubmitted date. Well permit issued. Commercial INC C/O DONALD WRIGHT BOX 73 FORT LUPTON CO 80621-
•
• • Permit No.COG-500
Facility No.COG-501
Pa!
Colorado Discharge Permit System Regulations
CERTIFICATION
. under
GENERAL PERMIT FOR SAND AND GRAVEL MINING AND PROCESSING(SIC No:1440,]442)
Category 07,Subcategory IA, General Permits,Sand& Gravel—Process Water&Storm water, S270 Annual fee
This certification specifically authorizes Ready Mixed Aggregates,to discharge as described below and in accordance with the Gene:
Permit for Sand and Gravel Production Operations.
All correspondence relative to this facility should reference the specific facility number,COG-501501.
Permittee Contacts
Ready Mixed Aggregates Nathan Merkinson,Plant Manager,303-659-0630
4395 Washington Street Bill Timmons,General Manager,303-659-0630
Denver,CO 80216
Project Name,Activity and Location
Holton Lakes Sand and Gravel Pit—The discharge will consist of stormwater and process water discharges including pit dewatering
from the mine located at 12300 Highway 52 in Fort Lupton(Weld County)Colorado.
Discharge Points
The discharges(001A-006A)are located at Latitude 40.08°N,Longitude 104.83W.
Outfall Description and Treatment Flows
The discharge from the"Stage P"area is Avg =3.0 MGD
001 A sent to a settling pond prior to entering the Max.=4.6 MGD
South Platte River
002A The discharge from the"Stage 2-C"area Avg.=3.0 MGD
is sent to a settling pond prior to entering Max.=4.6 MGD
• the South Platte River
The discharge from the northwest corner Avg.=3.0 MGD
003A of the"Stage 3"area is sent to a settling Max.=4.6 MGD
pond prior to entering the South Platte
River
The discharge from the west side of Avg.=3.0 MGD
004A "Stage 3"area is sent to a settling pond Max.=4.6 MGD
prior to entering the South Platte River
The discharge from the"Stage 4"area is Avg.=3.0 MGD
005A sent to a settling pond prior to entering the Max.=4.6 MGD
South Platte River
The discharge from the"Stage 5" area is Avg.=3.0 MGD
006A sent to a settling pond prior to entering the Max.=4.6 MGD
South Platte River
The discharges are to the North Platte River,Segment 1 b of the Middle South Platte River Sub-Basin,South Platte River River Basin,wh
can be found in the Classifications and Numeric Standards for the Gunnison River Basin(Regulation 38; last update effective March
2008).Segment lb is designated Use Protected,and is classified for the following beneficial uses:Recreation Class la;Aquatic Life,Clas
(Warm);Water Supply;and Agriculture.
• ISSUED AND EFFECTIVE: MARCH 11,2008 EXPIRATION: SEPTEMBER 30,2007
Administratively Extended
• • Permit No.COG-500000
Facility No.COG-501501
Page l b
• Permit Limitations and Monitoring Requirements
Discharge Limitations
Maximum Concentrations Monitoring
Parameter Sampleype T
30-Day 7-Day Daily Max. Frequency
Average Average
Flow,MGD Report NA Report Weekly Instantaneous or
Continuous
Total Suspended Solids, 30 45 NA Monthly Grab
mg/1
Oil and Grease,mg/I NA NA 10* Weekly Visual*
pH,s.u.(Minimum- NA NA 6.5-9.0 Monthly In-situ
Maximum)
Total Dissolved Solids ** ** ** ** **
mg/1
Total Phosphorus mg/I *** *** *** *** ***
*There shall be no visible sheen.
**Not required,applicable only to waters of the Colorado River Basin-
***Not required applicable only to waters with a control regulation for Phosphorus
Other Conditions
The permittee will need to develop and implement a Stormwater Management Plan(SWMP)for this facility. As a condition of this permit,
a copy of the SWMP must be kept on site and provided to the Division upon request.
The permittee is encouraged to read the general rationale for an understanding of how this permit was developed and read the permit to see what
requirements exist.
aoThe General Sand and Gravel Mining and Processing Permit is attached. If the permittee has questions related to this certification,contact
the permit writer.
Permit Writer
Erin Scott
303.6923506
March 5,2008
9.0 EVIDENCE OF ADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The building that will serve as the office/scale house and employee meeting room
for the sand and gravel processing plant and the ready mixed concrete plant personnel has
an existing sewage disposal system. If required,the applicant will apply to the Weld
County Health Department for an ISDS Permit for the office/scale house.
Portable restrooms will be used to provide sanitary services for employees working
at the mine face in Stages 2, 3,4 and 5.
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