2016-02-25_PERMIT FILE - C1982056 (3)

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Mine water handling and treatment facilities are shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities, with water treatment systems located at the Fish Creek Borehole and Water Treatment Site. Ground water inflows to the mine are pumped from the underground workings to mine water storage areas in the abandoned and sealed mine workings, then from sumps in these areas to the surface through mine dewatering boreholes. At the Fish Creek location, mine water is treated to meet applicable water quality effluent limitations to assure that downstream water rights are not impaired. The only water right potentially affected in the initial mining area (SWMD) was the TC Area 1 Pit right, which is adjudicated for 20 acre-feet per year absolute, and 480 acre-feet per year conditional. This right was affected by use of water under this right for mining and related operations. Given that this right is owned by TC, mitigation of any impacts to this private water rights resulting from mining and related operations was not necessary. Use and effects to this water right will continue throughout the mine life. In the unlikely event that mining operations are proven to impact private water users, TC's extensive water rights would be available for mitigation under the existing approved Augmentation Plan. The Homestead Ditch on Trout Creek (upstream of any mining activities) can be utilized as a source of supplemental irrigation water for downstream users in the unlikely event that mining and related activities were to result in any contamination, diminution, or interruption of flows in the Trout Creek/Fish Creek system. Supplemental water can also be provided from other righted water sources, and domestic water can be supplied through a contract hauler to any affected parties. 9- and 10-Ri2ht Gateroad Extension TC does not reasonably anticipate any impacts to the wells listed in Exhibit 6B or shown on Map I I from mining the 9- and 10 -Right Gateroads, given that these wells are relatively shallow and separated from the mine workings by the Marine Shale. This unit effectively acts as an aquiclude between the mine and overlying sandstone units. Any inflows into the mine, which might occur from the mining of the gateroads, would be from the Wadge Coal and Overburden sequence, and none of the wells listed in Exhibit 6B are completed in this geologic sequence. In the unlikely event that a near -surface well is impacted by the mining operations, alternatives, including the use of righted water supplies, are available that could be used to address this impact under the approved Augmentation Plan. Potential alternatives to address any water rights impacts for wells include: 1) Repairing the existing well, 2) Drilling a new well, 3) Providing water from another source, or 4) Contracting for water to be trucked in. Eastern, Northern, and Western Mining Districts, and Wolf Creek Reserve Tables 9 and 12, Summary of Ground Water Rights, and Summary of Surface Water Rights, respectively, have been updated to include all known water rights within the Permit and adjacent areas for historic, current, and planned fixture mining. The ongoing monitoring work conducted by TC and Colorado Yampa Coal Company (refer to Permit C-81-071) indicates there will be no impacts outside of the permit boundary, therefore, TC does not+ anticipate any additional impacts to the quality or quantity of water in Fish Creek, Foidel Creek, Middle Creek, and Trout Creek systems. The only adjudicated water supply systems potentially impacted by mining in the EMD and WCR are the Ashley Spring No. 1, Leiske Ditch, Connell Ditch Lateral, and rights owned by TC (Rausler Well and Energy Fuels Reservoir No. 1). Actual mining did not result in any adverse impacts to these systems. The only adjudicated Avater supply systems potentially impacted by mining in the NMD and WCR are the Ashley Spring No. 2, Corliss Ditch, boll Ditch. Mager Ditch, and rights owned by TCC (Boettler Ditch). The Ashley Spring was not affected by the NMD mining activities. Mining impacts in the NMD were limited to interruption of flows in the Corliss Ditch. due to subsidence. TC has included this ditch in its ditch inventory and maintenance schedule, and will evaluate and complete ditch rehabilitation work, ns appropriate. The nnly adjudicated water 011DOy systems potentially impacted by mining in the WMD are a series of small stock -watering reservoirs owned by the Boeddekers and rights owned by TC (Twentymile Reservoir). Given that the Boeddeker reservoirs are small surface runoff ponds, and based on TC's mining experience, it is not anticipated that these water rights will be significantly impacted by mining and related operations. In the unlikely event that any of the stock ponds are TR13-83 2.04-39 11;03;14