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GENERAL HYDROLOGY DESCRIPTION <br /> The King I Mine was permanently sealed in January, 2009. The operation had <br /> little impact on groundwater systems and its impact on the surface hydrology was <br /> moderate. Operations in the upper Menefee coal seam were not expected to disrupt <br /> aquifers, streams, water systems, or the small watershed (up-slope areas of the mine <br /> site). Hydrologic data obtained from the existing mine workings, core drill holes in <br /> the mine plan area, and other research studies show that the mining operation has <br /> had only a mild impact on water sources of Hay Gulch (See Appendix 4). <br /> The mining bench is located in the upper reaches of the Hay Gulch drainage <br /> system. All wells, diversion ditches, sedimentation ponds, water conveyances and <br /> storage, and the surface facilities are shown on Map King I-007, the mine surface <br /> drainage map. <br /> DRAINAGE PLAN <br /> The drainage plan for the National King I Mine consists of diversion of <br /> uncontaminated water originating upstream of the mine yard, through the yard to <br /> the discharge point at the north end of site. Runoff generated on the yard itself as <br /> well as runoff from two small natural areas adjacent to the yard is collected and <br /> routed through the sedimentation ponds. <br /> Refer to 2.05.6 (Hydrologic Balance) and Appendix 11 for a detailed description <br /> of Mine Surface Drainage and Sediment Ponds design and descriptions. <br /> SUB-SURFACE HYDROLOGY <br /> Generally, the King I mine did not encounter ground water during the course of <br /> normal mining operations for process water. While in operation, it is estimated that <br /> there was a consumptive use of 8.61 acre feet per year, for use as dust control. The <br /> three continuous mining machines, each feeder breaker and belt transfer points were <br /> sprayed to reduce dust. Process water was obtained by means of the two wells, one <br /> located in the Hay Gulch Valley Floor, and the other on the mine bench, as shown on <br /> Map King I-007. Occasionally, localized areas of water were encountered in the mine <br /> floor. These were believed to be "perched" aquifers as they usually dried up after a <br /> short time. <br /> AQUIFERS <br /> The King I Mine is not in a major groundwater recharge area. Research shows <br /> this portion of the basin has had very limited ground water development. Most of the <br /> wells in the general area have been completed in the unconsolidated alluvial gravels <br /> and terrace deposits of the La Plata River and its tributaries (including Hay Gulch), or <br /> in consolidated aquifers further south (down-dip) in the basin. Two formations, the <br /> Cliff House sandstone and the Menefee Formation are important and relative to the <br /> mining operations. The underlying Point Lookout sandstone will not be affected by <br /> the mining operations. <br /> CLIFF HOUSE SANDSTONE <br /> This unit comprises the cap rock to the dip slopes of the area. Based on <br /> information provided by the Menefee Land Company exploration drilling program for <br /> a proposed coal mine bordering the King I Mine, the sandstone is not saturated and <br /> is above the potentiometric surface in the immediate project vicinity. No water was <br /> GCC Energy, LLC King I Mine <br /> Section 2.04.7 <br /> Page 2 November 30, 2015 (TR-24 AR#2) <br />