Laserfiche WebLink
Based on water monitoring, there have been no identifiable impacts to the hydrologic <br />balance as a result of the mining activity to date. As expected, surface flow has <br />dramatically responded to snowmelt runoff and large precipitation events. Otherwise, <br />impacts from the mining operations have not been observed nor are expected to occur. <br />Quality and quantity of the surface water is "as expected" in the original permit. <br />2.04.7(3) Alternative Water Supply Informati ©n <br />The adjudicated water rights and water wells around the pen-nit area drawn from the <br />Colorado State Engineer's Master Listings are listed on Table 4 -4. The <br />locations of these water rights and wells are shown on Map 4-3. None of the four springs <br />shown on the map and previously described is adjudicated. <br />The extent to which the mining operation was anticipated to affect ground and surface <br />water sources is discussed below. Spring No. 1 flows in response to precipitation and, <br />therefore, is not a dependable water supply. Spring No. 2 is probably associated with the <br />Florida River Basin. However, the Animas River Basin, is the basin which encompasses <br />the permit area. Water quality analyses of Spring No. 3 and Spring No. 4 indicate the <br />water is not acceptable for beneficial use other than industrial use (See Table 4 -7 <br />-9)• <br />The marked strike and dip of the coal seams proposed to be extracted are such that the <br />nearest adjudicated wells are not hydraulically connected with the coal seams or any of <br />the overlying strata to be affected by mining (See Section 2.04.7(1)). <br />The surface water rights upstream of the confluence of Carbon Junction Canyon with the <br />Animas River will not be affected by the project. Furthermore, the Animas River is not <br />"over " appropriated. Infiltration and subsequent groundwater recharge will decrease <br />during the period of mining and increase after reclamation in the pit area due to increased <br />porosity (See Section 2.05.6(3)). Surface runoff will increase in the short term due to <br />woody plant density reduction and consequently, shorter tunes of concentration of runoff <br />volumes but will be offset to some extent by slope reduction (the reduction of impervious <br />rock surface on the disturbed area as a whole) and particularly on the terraced sandstone <br />in the northwest portion of the pit (See Reclamation Plan). The NPDES Permit <br />requirements ensured the maintenance or improvement of local water quality during the <br />mine life, and sediment ponds protected the basin from excess erosion preceding bond <br />release. <br />Abridged Permit Document 4 -14 Feb 2013 Permit Renewal <br />