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North Fork of the Gunnison are located at the alluvial well and leach fields just <br />above and below the town of Somerset (4.05.18(1)). <br />2. The Division has approved surface and underground mining operations within <br />and through Elk Creek, an intermittent stream. The Division made the findings <br />that: 1) the stream channel will be reconstructed in accordance with the <br />requirements of Rule 4.05.4(4), 2) during and after mining, the water quantity <br />and quality from the stream section within 100 feet of the surface coal mining <br />operations shall not be adversely affected, and 3) the reclamation plan provides <br />for the reestablishment of appropriate riparian vegetation. <br />3. The Division has also approved surface and underground mining operations <br />within and through Bear Creek, an ephemeral stream. The Division made the <br />findings that: 1) the stream channel will be reconstructed in accordance with <br />the requirements of Rule 4.05.4; 2) during and after mining, the water quantity <br />and quality from the stream section within 100 feet of the surface coal mining <br />operations shall not be adversely affected; and 3) the reclamation plan provides <br />for the reestablishment of appropriate riparian vegetation. <br />J. Probable Hydrologic Consequences of Mining (2.05.6(3)(b)(iii)) <br />This section reviews the Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC) of mining at the <br />Somerset Mine, Sanborn Creek, and Elk Creek Mine locations. The review includes <br />the probable consequences which will result from the three mines. The Cumulative <br />Hydrologic Impact Study (CHIS) for the North Fork of the Gunnison River contains <br />a detailed analysis of the cumulative impacts of all currently permitted mine <br />activities within the North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage basin. The CHIS <br />document is available for review at the Division office. This PHC is based upon <br />information contained within Permit No. C -81 -022 (Somerset Mine, Sanborn Creek <br />Mine, and Elk Creek Mine) and upon the analyses contained within the CHIS for the <br />North Fork Gunnison River. The PHC separately addresses potential effects on <br />groundwater and surface water. <br />1. Effects on Groundwater <br />Mining of the Elk Creek Mine will have some impact the groundwater regime <br />within the immediate area of the proposed operation, but, as with the Somerset <br />and Sanborn Creek Mines, the impact will not cause material damage to the <br />ground water regime. <br />Though the Sanborn Creek operation mined both the B and C seams that had <br />been mined before at the old Somerset Mine, the Sanborn Creek Mine was not <br />connected to the old workings and was protected by a 100 -foot buffer. The old <br />Somerset mine is thought to be flooded and that buffer was apparently <br />successful in protecting the newer operation from inundation from the old <br />workings. The 100 -foot buffer was maintained by advance drilling to find the <br />location of the old workings. <br />20 <br />