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RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />2.05.6 (3) Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />2.05.6(3)(a) Protection of the Hydrologic Balance <br />The following section on hydrological effects to surface water and groundwater systems due to <br />operations at the proposed PSCM compiles required descriptions to ensure accordance with Rules <br />2.05.6(3)(a), 4.05.1 -2, 4.05.8, and 4.05.11 through 18 of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation <br />Board for Coal Mining. This section contains a detailed description of the measures to be taken <br />during and after the proposed mining activities to ensure the protection of: <br />• The quality of surface water and groundwater within the permit area and adjacent area from <br />adverse effects of the proposed mining activities, <br />• The rights of present users to surface water and groundwater from adverse effects of the <br />proposed mining and reclamation activities, <br />• The quantity of surface water and groundwater within the permit and adjacent areas from <br />adverse effects of the proposed mining activities or, where protection of the quantity cannot <br />be ensured, to provide alternative sources of water, and <br />• The quality of surface water and groundwater affected by the proposed mining activities, by <br />locating the mine openings in accordance with Section 4.05.10 of the CDRMS Regulations <br />for Coal Mining relative to discharges from mine openings. <br />Summary of Affected Resources and Mitigation Measures <br />Because the mine workings will be within saturated portions of the bedrock, groundwater inflow to <br />the workings will occur and dewatering will be required. The quality of the inflow will be similar <br />to the quality of the groundwater in the overburden and Wadge coal, as described in Section 2.04.7. <br />The dewatering activities have the potential to affect the quantity of groundwater in the area, as <br />groundwater will be removed from the subsurface. If the groundwater is discharged to the surface <br />or to surface water, surface water quantity and/or quality potentially could be affected. Disturbance <br />of the bedrock in the subsurface could also affect the quality of groundwater in water - bearing units <br />adjacent to the mine. Surface disturbances could possibly affect surface water quality and quantity, <br />due to increased nmoff and sediment load from disturbed areas, and detention in and evaporation <br />from impoundments. <br />Measures will be taken to protect the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water in the <br />permit area and adjacent area, as well as the rights of present users to that water, from adverse <br />effects from the mining activities. These measures may include: limiting removal of groundwater <br />by dewatering activities to only the necessary amounts; use of groundwater produced by dewatering <br />for other mining- related purposes thereby avoiding use of water from other sources for those <br />purposes; monitoring the quality of the water pumped for dewatering and treatment of the water by <br />appropriate methods if necessary prior to its discharge; monitoring of groundwater levels to <br />anticipate and identify potential effects to existing users; providing alternative sources of water <br />using existing Peabody water rights to affected existing users; and monitoring the quality of <br />groundwater within and adjacent to the mine area to anticipate and identify potential effects to water <br />quality; and, where appropriate and feasible, making adjustments to activities so as to limit or <br />eliminate effects to water quality. Surface water resources will be protected by minimization of <br />surface disturbance, proper stabilization of disturbed areas, operation of sediment ponds for settling <br />of suspended solids, and application of appropriate small -scale sediment control measures. The <br />PSCM Permit App. 2.05 -68 Revision 12/17/09 <br />