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<br /> <br /> <br /> 34 C1981-041 RN7 findings <br />within 100 feet of the Colorado River (4.05.18(1)). The Unit Train Load out <br />has been approved as a commercial Industrial Land use, and has received <br />Phase III bond release (SL-7) and has been removed from the permit area <br />(TR-62). <br /> <br />K. Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br /> <br />The protection of the hydrologic balance is outlined in Volume 5, Tab 19 of the permit <br />application. This permit section addresses possible impacts due to mine subsidence, <br />possible impacts due to mine water discharge, and effects related to surface <br />disturbance. Possible hydrologic impacts due to construction of coal refuse piles are <br />also discussed in this document. The permittee's statement of hydrologic effects has <br />been reviewed by the Division for compliance with Rule 4.05.1 and 2.05.6(3). <br /> <br />Surface Water <br /> <br /> Surface Water Quantity <br /> <br />Possible hydrologic impacts on quantities of surface water due to the Roadside and <br />Cameo Mines include impacts to: <br /> <br />1. Quantity of flow in the Colorado River, <br />2. Quantities of flow in Rapid and Cottonwood Creeks, <br />3. Surface seeps and springs above the Roadside Mine, <br />4. Dams and reservoirs above the Roadside Mine, and <br />5. Impacts due to water consumption by mine operations. <br /> <br />1. The permittee states that approximately 0.47 cfs of mine discharge water is added <br />to the Colorado River, increasing the flow by an average of 0.01 percent. Most <br />of the water pumped from the Roadside North Portal ultimately comes from the <br />Colorado River by way of aquifers which subcrop below the alluvium of the <br />river. In addition, the water pumped from the Roadside Mine would naturally <br />contribute to base flows in the Colorado River through aquifer discharges to the <br />river. Therefore, the mining operation should have an insignificant effect on the <br />quantity of water in the surface and groundwater systems of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />2. Monitoring of both Cottonwood and Rapid Creek since 1985 has shown minimal <br />disturbance due to subsidence. Both creeks have infrequent flow patterns. <br />Cottonwood Creek, although a major tributary to Rapid Creek, is dry by late <br />summer. Rapid Creek is intermittent in nature. Where surface cracking was <br />observed, within a year the crack was refilled with sediment from the creek <br />channel. Minor ponding has also been observed to have taken place in the <br />subsided areas. This ponding was for a relatively short period and has <br />disappeared. Monitoring indicates that little surface flow has been lost due to <br />subsidence in the Rapid Creek Basin. <br />