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enough to warrant having buffer zones. At some point in the near future, a buffer <br />zone assessment of these creeks should be performed by HGT, and this discussion <br />should be added to the PAP. This assessment must consider the updated rule, <br />which requires some ephemeral streams to have a buffer zone. <br />Exceptions to the buffer zone rule are listed for Dry Creek (railroad crossing and <br />Pond 2) and Sage Creek (Tie -Across Haul Road). These have been accepted by <br />the Division. <br />No mining activities are permitted to take place within 100 feet of Dry Creek or <br />Sage Creek with the exception of - <br />1. <br />£ <br />1. The Rail Loop <br />2. The tracks and right of way for railway loop <br />3. Loadout facilities water line <br />4. Electric substation <br />5. TAHR <br />1. The Division approved surface mining activities within 100 feet of a perennial <br />stream with a biological community. This decision was based on a finding <br />that the original stream channel will be restored, water quality and quantity <br />will not be adversely affected as a result of the disturbance, and appropriate <br />riparian vegetation will be reestablished upon final reclamation. (4.05.18(1). <br />K. Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br />The probable hydrologic consequences of mining within the HGT permit area are <br />addressed within Volume 3, Tab 15 of the PAP. HGT's statement of hydrologic <br />effects has been reviewed by the Division for compliance with Rule 4.05.1 and <br />2.05.6(3). <br />1. Surface Water Impacts <br />Surface water runoff from the Loadout area passes through one of two <br />sedimentation ponds. Discharges from these ponds are subject to effluent <br />limitations identified in HGT's NPDES permit. The existing ponds have <br />performed adequately and no discharges in excess of NPDES effluent limits <br />have been reported to date. <br />Concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) are four times higher for water <br />coming from the Rail Loop Pond than water from the Truck Loop Pond; <br />however, TDS concentrations coming from the ponds are generally less than <br />ambient concentrations in Dry Creek upstream. Existing water quality in Dry <br />Creek is unsuitable for irrigation and only marginally suitable for livestock. <br />22 <br />