On June 12, 2012, Powertech (USA) Inc. submitted two applications to obtain water right permits. Links to both applications and other documents are provided below.
One application is for water from the Inyan Kara aquifer and the other application is for water from the Madison aquifer. Powertech plans to use water in the recovery of uranium ore from an area located in Custer and Fall River counties about 13 miles north-northwest of Edgemont, SD.
The application from the Inyan Kara aquifer is to use the ground water as a means to extract uranium ore from the Inyan Kara Group using an in situ recovery process. The primary use of water under the other application for the Madison aquifer is aquifer restoration following completion of mining operations. Water from the Madison aquifer may also be used for facility operations and to supply domestic and livestock water to local ranchers.
Following a review of the applications for completeness, a report, recommendation and public notice will be prepared for each application. The Chief Engineer has 60 days to complete a recommendation from the time a complete application has been received. If the applicant decides to continue pursuing approval of the application(s), then public notice(s) will be published and posted online at the DENR website. In response to the public notice(s), anyone may file a petition within a prescribed timeframe to either support or oppose the application(s).
Contested applications are heard by the state Water Management Board which is a seven member citizen's board appointed by the Governor. After hearing testimony and receiving evidence from all parties to the proceeding, the board will make a final decision. The board's decision may be appealed to circuit court and to the state Supreme Court.
For More Information
Following are links to view all information related to the Powertech (USA) Inc applications. More links will be added as new material is added to the application files.
August 7, 2013
February 8, 2013 -- Consolidated Contested Case
Everett Hoyt, acting as prehearing chairman on behalf of the state Water Management Board, ruled that Water Right Permit Applications (Nos. 2685-2 and 2686-2) and the Ground Water Discharge Permit Application (GWD 1-13) be consolidated for purposes of conducting a contested case hearing on the applications.
Consolidated Case Information
Consolidated Case Webpage-- includes documents pertaining to the contested case hearing for the water right permit applications and ground water discharge permit application. The most recent filings are available on this contested case webpage.
Hearing Dates: Dates: 8:30 am on Monday Oct 7, 2013 through Oct 11, 2013 as needed. If necessary, the evidentiary hearing will reconvene and conclude during week of Oct 28, 2013.
Hearing Location: Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, 2111 N LaCrosse Street, Rapid City SD.
February 4, 2013
Corrected Certificate of Service
January 31, 2012
Procedural Matters - Jan 31, 2013
November 30, 2012
Newspaper Affidavits of Publication
November 28, 2012
Petitions filed in response to Powertech water permit applications (updated Nov 30)
November 8, 2012
Application No. 2685-2 Report and Recommendation (Madison Aquifer)
Application No. 2686-2 Report and Recommendation (Inyan Kara Aquifer)
Newspaper publication letter to Powertech
Publication letter to newspapers
Public notice of hearing for Application Nos. 2685-2 and 2686-2
Personal notice of hearing for Application Nos. 2685-2 and 2686-2
June 12, 2012 Water Permit Application (Inyan Kara Aquifer)
Application Fee Receipt (added January 23, 2013)
Plates
Plate 2-1 Typical Well Field Layout
Plate 2-2 Typical Header House
Plate 3-3 Fall River Structure
Appendices
June 12, 2012 Water Permit Application (Madison Aquifer)
Application Fee Receipt (added January 23, 2013)
Appendices