The closer the dredge lake is to Rogers Creek, the lower its water level will be. As a result less and less ground water will flow to and feed the Creek. Already this flow has been reduced by one-third because the water level has dropped seven feet due to dredging. The water temperature will also be affected because the time required for the water to flow through the sand to the creek will be shortened. This could have a deleterious effect on the trout habitat.
Concerns regarding private wells continue.
We have been told that the lowered water level should not effect wells further away than 500 feet from the dredge lake or north of Rogers Creek. Closer wells would be affected by the lowering of the aquifer. In the end LWMD is going to issue a permit to dredge. However, they will require monitoring of water levels to continue and will prohibit dredging closer than 500 feet to the creek, unless TechniSand's consultants can furnish proof that the creek will not be affected. Independently we have requested Douglas Daniels of the Geological Survey Division to enforce the limits of mining on the northern edge of the mine and to require measures to stop wind erosion of sand from the mine into the creek.