2018-02-05_REVISION - C1992081 (29)

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Alluvial waters are of poor quality and may be unsuitable for use in irrigation. Leachate from coal stockpiled at the Loadout could have potentially infiltrated the alluvium and added dissolved chemical loads to the Dry Creek alluvial aquifer; however, impacts to Dry Creek alluvial water quality have been minimal due to the size of the operation and the composition of the coal. Alluvial ground water monitoring was conducted utilizing wells installed prior to 1993 by the previous operator, HG Coal Company. Well HGDALI was completed in the alluvium up gradient of the Loadout and well HGDAL2 was located down gradient of the Loadout. Based on concerns by the Division that wells HGDALI and HGDAL2 may have been completed in the Lewis shale rather than the Dry Creek alluvium, two addition wells were constructed. In October of 1993, the HGDAL3 well was constructed down gradient from the rail loop to assure that potential ground water impacts from the Loadout could be assessed and in November of 2005, while well HGDAL4 was completed up gradient from the Loadout. HGT continues to monitor HGDAL3 and HGDAL4 in accordance with the approved monitoring plan found in Tab 13 of the Permit Application. Wells HGDALI and HGDAL2 were sealed in September of 2007 in accordance with Rule 4.07.3(3). The Lewis shale is an aquitard and should not be significantly affected by any additional waters that might contribute to the site as a result of operations at the Loadout. Water used at the site is drawn from the Yampa River alluvium. It is conceivable that waters seeping from sediment ponds and from the operations leach field may contribute additional water to Dry Creek's alluvium, but is not expected to be significant. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the assessment of the probable consequences of the proposed mining operation and the assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining in the area on the hydrologic balance, as described in Rule 2.05.6(3), have been made. The proposed operation has been found to be designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. IV. Topsoil Information regarding soil resources and salvage may be found in Tab 9, Tab 17, Tab 19, Attachments 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-4, and Exhibits 9-1 and 9-2 of the permit. A. The Loadout and railroad spur were constructed from 1977 to 1979. These facilities were previously permitted under Permit No. C-80-003. Topsoil was stripped from the facilities site, railroad spur, and railroad loop, and stockpiled. All suitable A horizon topsoil and some upper B horizon subsoil material was salvaged. M