2016-02-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981038 (2)

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§2.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTIVITIES -- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. 2.09.7 Hydrology Description. (1) (a) (i) (ii) (iii) and (iv) (Cont'd .) Approximately 360 acres of the more than 5,000 acres in the [original] permit area were not initially field investigated. This acreage was deemed inconsequential as compared to the total area investigated. Stipulation No.'s 26 and 28 were attached to Permit No. C-81-038 and required that right of entry information be submitted to CMLRD and on-the- ground field verifications of surface water resources be completed for those lands for which right of entry permission had not been obtained prior to undermining or otherwise affecting the lands. Field investigation of this acreage was addressed beginning in October, 1991, following the establishment of a surface access agreement between the operator and the private landowner. The materials required by Stipulations 26 and 28 were submitted to CMLRD as part of the permit revision application addressing the additional lands included in the permit as a result of the acquisition of Lease COC-53356. Because of the mine fire if Junel, 1986, the operator determined the need for an alternative access to coal reserves. The operator identified potential portal site areas and began detailed hydrologic studies in these specific areas. The operator contracted the services of Hydro-Geo Consulting, Inc., of Wheatridge, Colorado, to evaluate the hydrology of the new portal area. The study area was concentrated in the East Roatcap drainage area where the new portal site for the Orchard Valley West Mine is located. Detailed information on the method of study and a description of groundwater is contained in the Hydrology Appendix in Volume 4. Generally, the method of the study was similar to that performed for the Orchard Valley Mine site. Drill holes used to locate the coal reserve were converted to piezometers to measure groundwater conditions and also rising head and falling head tests were performed to evaluate permeability. Results of these tests are also contained in the Hydrology Appendix in Volume 4. (b) The subsurface hydrology regime may be divided into three discrete subsystems: localized deposits of alluvium-colluvium within the Steven's Gulch, Terror Creek, and Roatcap Creek drainages; groundwater occurrences within the Mesaverde Formation; and colluvial discharges associated with soil moisture storage. li /'~2-laS /~ pPRov~D G~z~f~~ Revised 04/17/93 Revised 9/21/01 30