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each site. Because a number of variables can affect water chemistry, only significant increases or <br />consistent trends will be considered as possible impacts from mining. <br />Ground Water Quantity Future drawdowns in the overburden, coal and underburden zones will <br />be compared against multiple year pre -disturbance (baseline) average water level fluctuations. <br />Water level fluctuations as a result of irrigation, natural and water quality sampling stresses have <br />been reasonably defined. Significant water level drops outside these multiple year ranges will be <br />considered to be possible effects from pit pumpage. Water level drops in monitoring wells <br />outside the projected zones of pit pumpage drawdown will be considered suspect unless a <br />consistent deepening trend develops. <br />Surface Water Monitoring Plan <br />Surface Water Quality Future impacts on surface water quality will be evaluated by trend <br />analysis. Mining activities at the New Horizon 1 Area began prior to the onset of collecting <br />surface water quality data (1979), hence, no true baseline data exists for comparison purposes. <br />However, a well-documented but short record of surface water quality has been collected during <br />baseline studies conducted at the NHN area. Regardless, the significance of impacts will be <br />evaluated by analyzing for prominent trends of changing chemical concentrations over time. <br />Consistently increasing concentrations of chemical parameters will be considered to suggest <br />mining impacts. Data collected at sites located above mining (most upstream) along Meehan and <br />Glasier Draws will be used for investigating whether any future observed trends are natural or <br />result from mining. <br />Surface Water Quantity Analysis of trends, as mentioned in the previous section, will be used <br />to evaluate mining impacts on surface water quantity. Consistent increases or decreases in flow <br />over time at surface water monitoring sites will suggest mining impacts. Should trend analysis of <br />flow data suggest impacts from mining, NHN will consider more frequent flow monitoring and <br />further investigation to determine the source of any defined changes. <br />Section 2.05.6(3)(b)(v) Page 5 March 2018 (TR -16) <br />