2014-05-12_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (5)

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gpm in year 1 and declining in subsequent years as the bedrock zones dry out as the result of diverting the 2nd Park Lateral water through the HDPE pipeline. As a matter of clarification, the HDPE pipeline will be moved to the approximate location of the 2nd Park Lateral after mining, backfilling and replacement of top soil has progressed far enough north. This is expected to require about 3 to 4 years after mining begins. The HDPE pipeline will be retained to prevent the irrigation water from draining into the very permeable pit backfill. This will also prevent the direct loss of irrigation water along the course of 2nd Park Lateral as occurs now. The HDPE pipeline will allow for sprinkler irrigation which is much more efficient than flood irrigation. WFC will monitor the bedrock zones and pit discharge in order to refine the extent of drawdown. The hydrological monitoring program should provide reasonably accurate measurements of the effects of mining. While there are no known uses for the bedrock zone water, WFC (as described in the water augmentation plan), has a 114 acre foot consumptive use right on the Colorado Cooperative Company ditch which could be used to mitigate any potential impact on surface water right users from pit inflow drawdown. 2) Impact On Groundwater Rights. Groundwater rights (water wells) within the immediate region (1 mile radius) around the NHN permit area are listed in Table 2.04.7 -4 and shown on Map 2.04.7 -8 of Section 2.04.7. In all, 29 ground water rights (wells) have been identified in the vicinity of the New Horizon North mining area. Table 2.04.7 -4 lists 33 wells. However one well ( #92752) has been abandoned and three wells (# 236014, 236015 and 236016) are Montrose County monitoring holes. Two wells (Meehan Well # 253229 and the Glasier Well #163178) will be mined through. The Meehan Well is on land under an option to purchase that will be executed at the time of permit approval. The Glasier Well is on land that has already been leased by WFC. Both wells are producing from the Morrison Fm. (Brushy Basin Member) and will be appropriately plugged prior to being mined through. All of the remaining 27 well intakes are too deep to be affected by the pit pumping induced drawdowns in the overburden aquifer. These wells are installed in the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation. These strata are below the Dakota coal strata to be mined. Impermeable shale isolates coal strata to be mined from the Morrison wells' aquifer. One potable water well (PW -001) will be drilled to provide water for showers, sanitation, and drinking water, vehicle washing, and for fire water back up. This well will be completed in the Brushy Basin Member of Morrison Formation and will be designed to produce 5 to 10 gpm. The well will be about 200 to 220 ft. deep. Well PW -001 will be located in the SWli4, SEli4, SWli4 of Sec. 25, T47N, R16W, at an elevation of about 5690 ft. (msl) as shown on Map 2.05.3 -1 and described in Section 2.05.3 of this application. Map 2.04.7 -8 (Section 2.04.7 of this application) shows the location of the existing water wells. WFC's water consultant, Bishop - Brogden Associates, Inc. (BBA), has determined the potable water needs for the NHN Mine at 0.61 acre - ft per year. Average pumping rate to fulfill this need is a modest 0.38 gpm. Potable well PW- 001 is located the following distances from existing permitted wells: Section 2.05.6(3) Page 14 October 2013 (TR -05) E: \New Horizon \DRMS \NHN Permit \04_Technical Revisions TR \TR -05 \Documents from Jason \2.05.6(3) Protection of Hydrologic Balance TR- 05.doc