We are not alone in the fight to save drinking water

Public meeting will provide information

 "......it remains a fact that water and its constituents flow downhill and ignore political boundaries.  What one person or group does upstream can affect the welfare of those downstream."

 Kenneth N. Brooks et al. Hydrology and the Management of Watersheds Third Edition

PROTECT ASHLEY SPRINGS

Public Meeting Sponsored by

Uintah County Water Source Protection Coalition

Thursday, October 18

7 p.m.

Vernal City Building

374 East Main

SAVE OUR DRINKING WATER

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Please add additional links to relevant articles in the comments below.

Permit to Explore has been granted by DOGM

Letter to Paul Baker, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining

August 22, 2012

Paul Baker

Minerals Program Manager

Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining

P.O. Box 145801

Salt Lake City, Utah  84114-5801

Dear Mr. Baker:

As per our phone conversation on August 17, 2012, I am writing you to request a hearing with you and the Associate Director, Dana Dean, to discuss our concerns about the exploratory permit granted to Agrium Phosphate Company.  It is my understanding that Agrium/Utah Phosphate Company has sent a bond in the amount of $147,377.50 for mitigation.

The Uintah Water Source Protection Coalition does not in any way support the possibility of phosphate mining on SITLA land near Ashley Springs.  We are appealing the exploration permit being granted to the Utah Phosphate Company.

“Ashley Springs, a natural flowing stream, is the primary source of water for the Ashley Valley Water Treatment Plant.  When flows decrease, water from Red Fleet Reservoir is pumped to the plant.  Approximately 80 percent of the water comes from Ashley Springs and 20 percent from Red Fleet.  The plant supplies water to over 9,000 people, primarily in Vernal City.”

(http://www.cuwcd.com/drinkingwater/ashley.htm and discussion with treatment plant manager, Brad Grammer, March 30, 2012)

Ashley Springs is the only source of water for the Ashley Valley Water and Sewer Improvement District Water Treatment plant.  Over 8,000 people, primarily outside Vernal City, are supplied water from this plant.  (Discussion with Dave Hatch of the improvement district, March 30, 2012)

Utah Phosphate Company owns three mining leases from SITLA. 

East Side

Recharge for the east side of Ashley Springs is from surface water flows originating east and north of the discharge point.  The Park City phosphate formation is on the surface while the Weber Sandstone formation lies beneath it.[i]  Both formations slope south at from 10 to 20 degrees below the horizontal.[ii]  These slopes indicate the recharge areas described above.  This is exactly the area 68 percent of the mine will excavate.

            West Side

Colored dye tests done in 1971 determined, “The main Dry Fork Sinks are the major source of the flow of Ashley Springs.  The tests gave no evidence that the water entering the Dry Fork Sinks has any other place of discharge…”[iii]  It took only three days for the dye to appear.[iv]  In addition, fine-grained sediments are known to flow out of the spring during high water flows in the spring of the year.

The exact path the water takes from Dry Fork Sinks to Ashley Springs is unknown.  Some have suggested there are solution cavities dissolved by the water.  Whatever formation or formations the water travels through, it’s clear the velocity of flow is sufficient to keep sediment suspended during the approximately 10.5 mile trip.  It’s clear from the red arrowed line on the attached map that the underground flows pass

---

[i] Geology of the Uinta River-Brush Creek Area Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah, Geological Survey Bulletin 1007, 1955, pages 45 to 55.  Also, Correlation Chart of Detailed Stratigraphic Sections, From Whiterocks River to Green River, Uintah County, Utah.

[ii] Ibid. Geologic Map and Structure Sections of the Uinta River-Brush Creek Area, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah.  See Section 12 near the label, “Ashley Creek Anticlinal Nose.”

[iii] Hydrogeology of the Eastern Portion of the South Slopes of the Uinta Mountains, Utah, Utah Department of Natural Resources, 1971, page 46.

[iv] Ibid. Figure 12, Dye Concentrations versus Time – Dry Fork Sinks Test.

Mining and mineral processing facilities generate more toxic and hazardous waste than any other industrial sector.  The waste can impact surrounding communities and pose a serious risk to public health and the environment. To reduce these risks, EPA is working to ensure the mining and mineral processing industry are in compliance with environmental laws.

Environmental Protection Agency

Drinking Water Contaminated at Phosphate Mine[iv]

Type of Impact/Media Affected: The metals detected in the ground water corresponded to those elements (arsenic, cadmium, and zinc) detected at high concentrations in the unlined waste ponds. Contaminants had been detected in a nearby spring, used for drinking water at a local cafe, which was consequently condemned, and the river, which is used for recreation and irrigation.

HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES FROM MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING WASTES, Office of Solid Waste, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 1995, page 84.

Mine Operations Make Ground Water Contamination Likely

As discussed above, blasting will fracture and break up the rock directly beneath the ore which is removed.  Instead of being solid, the rock will be broken into tiny pieces.  This will increase the surface area of the rock by millions of times.  This greatly facilitates the water percolating through the mass and dissolving minerals.  As discussed previously, many existing pathways to the springs will be disrupted; however some water will still reach the spring. Phosphate rock contains arsenic, selenium, radioactive minerals and other harmful materials.  This situation makes it very likely these contaminants will show up in Ashley Springs and perhaps other wells in Dry Fork Canyon which may be hydrologically connected to the formations beneath the mine.

Utah Phosphate Company may sincerely believe and vigorously indicate they will provide the necessary mitigation to prevent occurrences such as those described above.  However, it’s clear from the long history of phosphate mining that the large size of the mines, coupled with the nature of the mining and ore processing, simply makes that impossible.

The effects of exploratory activities, including seismic testing, are unknown.  Solid rock transmits blast energy very well and could affect the flow path providing most of the water to Ashley Springs.  There is substantial risk that blasting energy traveling downward will break up and dislodge rocks above and within the underground flow path.  This will likely compact and obstruct the path resulting in reduced water flows discharging from Ashley Springs. 

No amount of bond money can repair damage to the system.  These impacts would be permanent. 

Ultimately phosphate mining in this area is risky and could permanently reduce the amount of water supplied to Ashley Springs, contaminate the water with toxic metals and radioactive materials and endanger the water supply of over 17,000 people living in Vernal City and Uintah County.

We, the undersigned, request the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining to reconsider the advisability of mining in this area.  We oppose exploratory drilling.  If an exploratory permit is issued, then the Uintah County Water Source Protection Coalition will continue to oppose phosphate mining on the SITLA land surrounding Ashley Springs. 

Again, we request a hearing with Dana Dean and you to discuss the ongoing mining issues surrounding Ashley Springs and its watersheds.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Loran Hills

Member, Uintah County Water Source Protection Coalition

                                   

Information for a Letter Writing Campaign

If you are opposed to Agrium mining phosphate on either side of Ashley Springs, then please write letters to the following entities:

We need as many letters of concern as possible to be sent.

1.       Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration  (SITLA)
      675 East 500 South, Suite 500
      Salt Lake City, UT.  84102-2818
      Address your letters to Director Kevin Carter
      and also to the attention of William Stokes, Mineral Specialist

2.       Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM)
      P.O. Box 145801
      Salt Lake City, UT.  84114-5801
      Address your letters to Director John Baza
      and also to the attention of Paul Baker, Minerals Program Director

3.       Department of Environmental Quality
      P.O. Box 144820
      195 North 1950 West
      Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4810
      Address your letters to Director Bryce Bird

Information and questions that may be helpful when considering what to write:

1.       The School Trust Lands Agrium is interested in mining are located on either side of Ashley Springs, Vernal’s main water source.  

2.       Ashley Springs supplies 80% of the water used by Vernal residents and the water is of exceptional quality.  Water from Ashley Springs requires relatively little treatment and is delivered by gravity flow. If Vernal should be forced to replace it with water from Red Fleet the quantity and quality of water available to Vernal residents could dramatically decrease.  The price of treating our water would likely double.  Water bills would likely quadruple due to scarcity and increased treatment, infrastructure, and pumping costs.

3.       Toxic pollutants like selenium, radioactive isotopes, arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead are frequently found, in significant amounts, in association with phosphate ore and can contaminate nearby water sources.

4.       Mining this area will result in the removal of plants and soils protecting the watershed  for Ashley Springs.  Disturbance of the watershed has the potential to decrease the quantity and/or quality of water in Ashley Springs.

5.       Blasting may fracture, collapse, or otherwise alter the limestone aquifer that delivers water to Ashley Springs, potentially decreasing the water supply to the Springs and to local wells.  Fractures from blasting may also allow contaminants to find their way down into the Springs and into area wells.  There is no way to know for sure how blasting and removal of the overburden above the phosphate deposit will effect Vernal’s water supply.

6.       This proposed mine is very near residential areas.   Blasting associated with phosphate mining can cause small earthquakes and can crack foundations of nearby houses.  Blasting can also vastly increase dust in the air and disturb wildlife and residents with noise pollution.

7.       Access to the land in consideration is upon public roads used to access private homes and lands administered by the US Forest Service.  These roads are not appropriate for heavy truck traffic and would create hazards for families living nearby and for hunters, and others using these roads to enter public lands.

8.       Vernal’s desirability as a place to live will be diminished by a phosphate mine so close to town.  Views of the nearby mountains will be spoiled.  A mine so close to residential areas will significantly lower property values and may reduce the potential for growth in Vernal due to water shortages.

9.       What is the value of a pristine Spring that supplies 80% of the water to a community the size of Vernal?  Will a reclamation bond for this amount be required of the Corporation that is considering mining near Ashley Springs?  How can an aquifer be reclaimed after it is destroyed or polluted with toxic substances?

Things to remember when writing your letters:

1.       Write your own letter.  Do not copy and paste from this email or from anyone else’s letter.  Only original letters in your own words have influence.  These are just ideas for you to consider.  You don't have to be a great writer just tell them your concerns and how you feel.  Feel free to include concerns you may have other than those listed above.

2.       Tell them who you are, where you live and why this issue matters to YOU.  Don’t worry about trying to include every point.  Talk about what matters to you but don’t leave out the water issues.  The potential harm to our water supply is our strongest argument against the mine.

3.       Keep a copy of your letter.  We (The Uintah County Water Source Protection Working Group) would also like a copy of all the letters written for our records (if you are willing).  It is important for us to document everything in case there is an eventual law suit or hearing of some sort.  You can black out your name and address if you feel the need to. You may email a copy to uintahcountywaters@gmail.com or send a hard copy to the Uintah County Water Source Protection Working Group, c/o B. Durant at 7623 Mountain Dell Dr., Vernal, UT. 84078

Concerns about Agrium and potential phosphate mining on SITLA property in Uintah County

There is a movement within Uintah County to protect not only Ashley Springs, but all precious water sources, from pollution.  The Uintah County Water Source Protection Coalition formed from an impromptu meeting on April 13, 2012 following an open house sponsored by Agrium at Western Park on April 4.  Click here to read the article by the Vernal Express.

Agrium is one of the world's largest phosphate companies in the world.  They have purchased the mineral rights from SITLA and have begun drilling test holes in the area between Taylor Mountain Road and Dry Fork Canyon Road.  The total acreage of the mineral lease is a little over five square miles.  This property sits over both sides of Ashley Creek which provides 80% of the water supply to Vernal City.  Ashley Creek serves both water treatment plants within Uintah County.

Ashley Springs runs through a fragile limestone Karst system which could be adversely affected by drilling and mining practices.  There are major concerns about the impact of phosphate mining in this area.   There is substantial risk that blasting energy traveling downward will break up and dislodge rocks above and within the underground flow path.  This could compact and obstruct the path resulting in reduced water flows from Ashley Springs.  These impacts would be permanent and there would be no way to mitigate the damage.

Brad Grammar, the plant manager for the Central Utah Water Treatment Facility, stated that if something were to happen to this supply that pumping water from Red Fleet Reservoir would cost twice as much to treat and would double city water costs.

Concerns about phosphate mining in this area are not just a Dry Fork Canyon issue.  Not only could mining affect the water supply for the Ashley Valley, there are safety hazards related to trucking phosphate through residential areas, damage to the roads, blasting consequences to housing foundations and damage to homes, pollution from dust and chemicals, loss of wildlife habitat and loss of recreational opportunities.


Currently the permit to drill from the Division of Oil, Gas and Miining has not yet been completed by Agrium, but they are drilling test holes.  Agrium was deliberately vague about their plans during their open house, in spite of the fact that they displayed a five year plan in a powerpoint slide show.  It is reasonable to believe that the Utah Phosphate Company, a shadow company of Agrium based out of Colorado, is moving to develop a phosphate mine as soon as possible.

Local levels of authority, the Uintah County Commissioners and the Vernal City Council, have stated that they are opposed to phosphate mining in this particular area.  Although, they do support mining in other areas of the county, this particular location needs to be protected as a source of water for the Ashley Valley.    The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining issues permits but does not monitor the site.  The Department of Environmental Water Quality, Division of Drinking water, states that they do not have jurisdiction.  The federal Environmental Protection Agency states that they have no jurisdiction because it is state land.

There are fingers pointing in a lot of directions without anyone claiming ultimate responsibility for protecting Ashley Springs.  Therefore, it is up to residents of Uintah County to ensure that the County Commissioners and the Vernal City Council members do all they can to protect valuable water sources when they are threatened.

This website has been established as a central base of information for the Uintah County Water Source Protection Coalition.  Anyone interested in receiving emails as information may contact:

uintahcountywaters(at)gmail.com

For an opportunity to write for this website, please contact uintahcountywaters(at)gmail.com and ask for permission.  This site will be set up to facilitate multiple authors.  All constructive comments will be welcomed.