permit progress!

Strata's Draft Deep Well Permit is now on public exhibition (30 days from 28 Feb). I am fairly sure that approval here also qualifies Strata for Aquifer Exemption (which is a requisite for the Mining Permit).

As indicated by the Draft, the WDEQ is satisfied. Just depends on public feedback and EPA comments now.

Here's what the notice says:

Draft Permit 10-263-Strata Energy, Inc., Ross Disposal Wellfield located in Sections 13, 18 and 19, T53N, R67W, all in Crook County, Wyoming. This permit proposes to authorize five Class I non-hazardous waste disposal wells for disposal of wastes associated with in-situ uranium mining. The wells will inject into the Deadwood and Flathead formations at depths of 8,163 to 8,755 feet in the eastern part of the Powder River structural basin. Confinement above the discharge zone is provided by the 50 feet of marine shale of the Icebox Member of the Winnipeg Formation and by over 300 feet of dolostone of the Red River Formation. The waters in the discharge zones within 1,320 feet of each well are classified according to Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 8, Section 4(d)(ix) as Class VI (unsuitable for use) because they occur at depths and locations that make use of the water economically and technologically impractical. The public is invited to comment on this draft permit until March 29, 2011.

Here's a link to the Draft Permit:

http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/events/uic/Draft%20Permit-10-263-Strata-2-28-11.pdf