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The rock strata in the region can contain groundwater, but are not a significant source of water in the area of the mine. <br />Typically bedrock groundwater is perched and sources are unreliable for most uses. Igneous intrusions can cause <br />impermeable boundaries that act as barriers to groundwater migration. The Purgatoire River is the main surface water <br />drainage in the region. The headwaters originate west of the mine in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Eventually, <br />the Purgatoire flows into the Arkansas River near Las Animas, Colorado, and approximately 120 miles northeast of the <br />mine. The Purgatoire River and its alluvial aquifer are significant sources of water in the mine area. Portions of <br />Apache Canyon, Santistevan Canyon, Wet Canyon, and Ciruela Canyon are, or were at one time, located within the <br />Golden Eagle permit area. With the exception of Wet Canyon, which is perennial, these drainages are intermittent. <br />The climate of the region is characterized as semi -arid. The prevailing winds come from the southwest and the mean <br />annual precipitation is 16.9 inches. The length of the growing season ranges from 90-110 days in the region. <br />Vegetation communities are diverse, ranging from low grassland communities in the valleys to pinyon/juniper/oak <br />brush and coniferous forest in the higher elevations. Soils in the area can be shallow or non-existent on the steep, south <br />facing slopes, but are well -drained loams in the valleys bottom along the Purgatoire River. <br />The Golden Eagle Mine is in permanent cessation and with the approval of bond release SL -06, all areas have <br />received final release with the exception of 1.2 acres of the reclaimed Northwest Ventilation shaft remaining <br />within the permit area. This small permit area is generally located within the NE 1/4 SE 1/4 Section 19, <br />Township 33 South, Range 67 West of the Sixth Principle Meridian'/4 mile north of Highway 12. <br />A review of the enforcement actions issued since the last Permit Renewal (RN6) found that no enforcement <br />actions were taken since the last Permit Renewal (RN6). <br />SECTION II — REVISIONS TO THE PERMIT <br />Since the last Permit Renewal, RN6, in August 2015, no technical revisions nor minor revisions have <br />been approved. No permit revisions or bond release applications were submitted during that time. <br />SECTION III — STATUS OF STIPULATIONS <br />The stipulation history for the Golden Eagle Mine was reviewed as part of the mid-term review process. There <br />are no outstanding stipulations on the permit. The review included investigation of the stipulation response <br />file, revisions to the permit, and the findings document for RN6. Stipulations are a binding part of the permit and <br />previously assigned stipulation numbers are not re -used. Any stipulations associated with C-1981-013 and issued <br />over the life of the operation which are not discussed in the mid-term review have been complied with or <br />terminated. <br />No stipulations have been terminated or added to Permit C-1981-013 since the last permit renewal (RN -06). <br />SECTION IV — MID TERM ADEQUACY QUESTIONS <br />Pursuant to 2.08.3, the Division finds that the permit application C-1981-013 contains the following deficiencies <br />Golden Eagle MT7 December 2016 Prepared by: R. Reilley <br />