Marilyn S. Chapman
                                                Mining Impact Committee
                                                Ground Hemlock Lake
                                                Protection Association
                                                June 13,1986






    Mr. Howard S. Druckenmiller
    Director: DNR Bureau of Environmental
               Analysis and Review
    Department of Natural Resources
    P.O. Box 7921
    Madison, Wisconsin 53707

    Dear Mr. Druckenmiller:

    Following review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 ,  the residents of Ground Hemlock Lake see a potential for
 significant impact to the lake because of the proximity of the
 :Mine Waste Disposal Facility, and we question whether the lake
    has been properly addressed. We strongly urge the DNR to require
    Exxon, through the permits, to compensate the property owners
(A~for any damage that may occur as a result of the construction
\. and operation of the facility.

    Ground Hemlock lake is located 2 1/2 miles directly east of the
    proposed mine site and only 3/4 miles east of the tailing ponds.
    The lake is almost fully developed with cottages and year round
    homes and many of the cottage owners are planning retirement on
    the lake in the future. The lake has approximately fifty (50)
    developed properties and an adjusted assessed valuation of
    approximately two million dollars. ($2,000,000.00)

    We take exception to the area outlined in red on the "Vegetation"
r omap, Figure 2-9 at Page 72. The map shows less than 3/4 of the lake
(485joccupied when in actuality the lake is almost 100% developed.
  , Could this be an example of the report underestimating the
    seriousness of impacts on our lake?

    The lakes that your draft addressed in more detail; Little Sand
    Lake, Deep Hole Lake, Duck Lake and Skunk Lake are either totally
(4)uninhabited or insignificantly developed.    In the case of Little
    Sand Lake, most of the property has been purchased by Exxon and
    the impacts will have almost no effect on privately owned property.
    The native americans that reside in the area are addressed in great
    detail, pages 99 thru 108 and reference to these peoples and their
    lands Aar refArroed to -in tminv. Iof -hga r-hmars-~vv ref t-hAnrt-T
Q



    from the mine 6.1 miles downstream to protect Mole Lake, Bishop
    Lake and Rice Lake, whereas the Hemlock Lake area could be
    adversely affected by the close proximity to the tailing ponds.
    Figure 1-3 - following page 8.

    We see a potential for ground water contamination which may result
    in contaminated wells and contamination of the lake itself.
    The DEIS Table 2-4 shows the ground water flow from the tailing
    ponds toward Hemlock Creek, but it does not indicate that there
o-  is flow in the direction of Hemlock Lake.  At a DNR informational
(490)meeting at the Nashville Town Hall, August 18, 1984 I was shown
    a flow map that indicted that ground water from the tailing ponds
    would enter Hemlock Lake at the northeast and southeast corners of
    the lake. Because the lake is totally spring fed (with no inlet)
    I doubt that it would have the capacity to flush contaminates
    from the lake without damage being done.

    The proposed mitigation for Hemlock Creek (again the lake was not
    addressed) is: "A well ma be constructed adjacent to Hemlock Creek
    to augment stream discharge during mine-induced low flow conditions.'
    It appears that to mitigate the creek the intent is to draw water
-from the ground water table, which in effect could draw from the
(4911source of the lake springs. Will this result in a draw down condition
  , for Hemlock Lake or will this result in a draw from the ground
    water east of the lake?
    If this mitigation well is installed will the wells of property
    owners on the lake be affected by the draw down?

    It should be noted that Exxon has leases and options to purchase
    a sizable portion of land to the south and east of Hemlock Lake.
G (surrounding 3/4 of the lake). What use does Exxon propose to make
    of this land, and why wasn't a more comprehensive assessment done
    on Hemlock Lake and the surrounding area in light of these anticipated
    purchases? Figure 1-3 following Page 8.

    On page 119, Table 3-10, it seems that the treatment of impacts to
X drainage lakes is rather sketchy. Predictions of what will happen
    are subject to error, and what if the impact on the level of Ground
    Hemlock Lake is greater than predicted? What protection do we have?

    We request that the DNR re-evaluate the alternative sites for the
    Mine Waste Disposal Facility and hopefully re-locate this facility
    to an area with a less dense population.  We can see only potentially
    adverse impacts to our lake from the Mine Waste Disposal Facility
    and tailing ponds as well as the infliction of noise and dust that
    will destroy the quality of life in this now pristine environment.

    We li-Va in A trims whdan 4-ho BITT 4im Ahv-mA_- ..4h_4 _