2016-11-29_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981010

Home Browse Search

Control Commission's Basic Standards for Ground Water (Rule 41). Any ground water in alluvial deposits in the bond release area meets the classification of Limited Use and Quality because the alluvial water is of such small volume in these thin, laterally discontinuous deposits that it is not currently used and is unlikely to be used in the future. The Basic Standards for Ground Water have no water quality standards for the Limited Use and Quality classification. Recent Division reviews of AHRs (from 2001 to 2015) indicate that there have been no significant ground water quality problems in the monitored formations. Protection of Ground Water Recharge Capacity On a local scale, the disturbed area does not significantly divert ground water flows to surface water flows (via spoil springs), and surface water infiltration has not been largely impaired. If recharge to the spoils is larger than pre -mine conditions, direct surface runoff will be reduced, and a larger amount of groundwater discharge to spoil springs would be expected. The larger amount of groundwater discharge provides increased water availability for livestock and wildlife for a greater portion of the year. Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance All of the observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with those predicted in the Division's Colorado River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing observations, the Division finds that the Trapper Mine has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds that the Trapper Mine has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect the approved post mining land use in the permit area. Summary and Conclusions Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the Division finds that Trapper Mining, Inc. has replaced topsoil in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. The Division further finds that Trapper Mining, Inc. has established vegetation which supports the approved post -mining land use and meets the approved success standard for vegetative cover, production, species diversity and woody plant density. Post - mining land -use is supported by the documented wildlife use of the rangeland areas. Impacts to surface and ground water quality are minimal. The bond release block under consideration has achieved the minimum of ten years of revegetation liability responsibility (Rule 3.02.3(1)). V. PROPOSED DECISION Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve Trapper Mining Inc.'s request for a Phase III bond release (SL -17) for a portion of the Trapper Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from Phase III reclamation liability totaling 448.4 acres. The Trapper Mine is an active mine with two active pits and two pits that have been approved to receive fly Trapper Mine Page 13 November, 2016 Phase III Bond Release (SL -17)