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<br /> <br /> <br /> 39 C1981-041 RN7 findings <br />depletion is anticipated. <br /> <br />There is no beneficial use of the groundwater in the mine permit area or vicinity. Mine <br />inflow quantity has been documented in past Annual Hydrology Reports. It has been <br />demonstrated that most of the mine inflow waters originate in the new faces of virgin <br />coal seams. As these seams are mined, the coal seam aquifer is dewatered. New areas <br />of the mine have a higher inflow rate than older, developed ones, which dry out after <br />the area has been developed. Additional water originates from the Mesaverde <br />sandstone lenses as they are dewatered by mining activity combined with subsidence. <br /> <br />The operator has committed to a mitigation contingency plan for downstream users <br />should they be effected by subsidence. <br /> <br />Groundwater Quantity: Effect on the Colorado River Alluvial Aquifer <br /> <br />Water quantity in the alluvium of the Colorado River aquifer is minimally affected by <br />the mine operations. The quantity of surface water and groundwater in the Roadside <br />North and South Portal facility areas and adjacent areas will not be adversely affected <br />due to the recycling nature of the ground and surface waters in the alluvial valley <br />floor. Mining did not occur beneath the Colorado River alluvial valley floor. <br />Groundwater inflows to the South Mine workings discharge by gravity flow through <br />a dewatering pipe near the reclaimed North Decline, at Discharge Site 016, into the <br />Colorado River. Approximately 0.7 cfs of mine water is discharged into the Colorado <br />River. <br /> <br />IV. Topsoil <br /> <br />Soils resource information found in Volume 2, Tab 9, and the topsoil salvage and <br />redistribution plan in Volumes 3 and 5, Tabs 13 and 14, of the application have been <br />reviewed for compliance by the Division. <br /> <br />Since mining at this operation began prior to the Surface Mining Control and <br />Reclamation Act, no topsoil was salvaged in construction of the mine benches. <br />Topsoil from the loadout area was used to build the loadout stacker pad, although a <br />small amount was stockpiled. The majority of the topsoil salvaged was removed from <br />the location of the Cameo refuse piles. <br /> <br />Soils in the general area are commonly high in sodium and occasionally saline. This <br />is reflected in the sparse vegetation which is primarily composed of salt-tolerant <br />species and species such as greasewood, which are commonly found growing in sodic <br />soils. The analyses of the stockpiled soil and the material presently on the surface of <br />the disturbed areas reflect the saline and sodic conditions of the surrounding area. <br /> <br />Upon completion of backfilling and grading operations, topsoil will be redistributed <br />to a minimum depth of six inches, with the exception of specified areas where topsoil <br />was not salvaged originally. These areas will be covered with a suitable amount of