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Groundwater may also be present to a limited extent within coal seams. Bedrock and associated <br />coals dip to the northeast with the uppermost strata outcropping along the North Fork valley. The <br />occurrence of groundwater springs in the North Fork outcrops of the Mesa Verde formation are <br />rare. The BLM and MCC report that the coal seams in the West Elk Mine area are typically dry, <br />with average moisture content of 5%. Groundwater discharges from faults intercepted by longwall <br />panels in the West Elk Mine typically experience an initial high volume discharge periods followed <br />diminishing to negligible flow within a short time period. Mine under -drain and mine inflow sites <br />are currently monitored for flow and water quality by the West Elk hydrologic program. The total <br />inflow for the West Elk mine is approximately 34.26 acre-feet per year (HydroGeo, 2009). It is <br />assumed for this analysis that any water bearing faults that are intercepted by longwall panels in <br />the proposed lease modifications would flow 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) or less when <br />encountered then decreasing to negligible flows (Koontz 2003). Any groundwater encountered <br />would be handled by the existing system in the MCC underground operation. Discharge would be <br />required to meet the NPDES and Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) surface water quality <br />goals. <br />Springs in the area typically show the same seasonality as the stream system. There are no known <br />perennial springs, and only two intermittent springs inventoried for the lease modification areas <br />(Figure 3.7). Just west and north of the modification area, MCC currently maintains data on several <br />additional springs and 2 hydrographs (Lick Creek, and Upper Deep Creek; see Figure 3.7)." Final <br />Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC -1362 and COC -67232, <br />pages 107-108, August 2012. <br />The proposed exploration drilling is not expected to encounter any water bearing fault zones or <br />significant groundwater inflows. <br />Vegetation <br />"Vegetation communities in the proposed lease modification area are primarily aspen or mixed <br />aspen/spruce-fir stands, with spruce -fir at higher elevations and Gambel oak at lower elevations, <br />with smaller inclusions of grass, mountain shrub mix, and bare ground within the area. Riparian <br />areas, including seasonal slump wetlands, ponds, and permanent wetlands occur in and near the <br />project area. For the purposes of this analysis, as the road and pad locations have not yet been <br />determined, the impacts of those surface activities are assumed to be proportional to the available <br />surface vegetation proportions on the landscape for the three major types (Gambel oak/shrub, <br />aspen, and spruce -fir). Lease stipulations and Best Management Practices (BMP's) prevent pads <br />and roads in wetlands except for crossing of drainages for access. Actual surface activity may be <br />different than analyzed; further analysis may be needed to compensate for changes when the <br />surface operations may be proposed. However, at this time, and based on previous experience with <br />these types of activities on the district, it is not anticipated that changes in actual surface <br />disturbance would impart major changes." Final Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Coal <br />Lease Modifications COC -1362 and COC -67232, page 120, August 2012. <br />As identified in the FEIS, the principal vegetation type has been identified as aspen and spruce -fir <br />forest. Of these habitat types, aspen is the most abundant, followed by Gambel oak, spruce -fir <br />forest, mountain shrub, and grass, respectively. No threatened, endangered, or candidate plant <br />species have been identified in the exploration area. <br />4 <br />