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monitored formations. <br />Protection of Ground Water Recharge Capacity <br />On a local scale, the disturbed area does not significantly divert ground water flows to surface water <br />flows (via spoil springs), and surface water infiltration has not been largely impaired. If recharge to <br />the spoils is larger than premine conditions, direct surface runoff will be reduced, and an increased <br />amount of groundwater discharge to spoil springs would be expected. Any increased groundwater <br />discharge augments water availability for livestock and wildlife for a greater portion of the year. <br />Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />Observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with those predicted in the Division's Colorado River <br />Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing observations, the Division finds <br />that the Trapper Mine has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and <br />adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds that <br />the Trapper Mine has not caused hydrologic changes adversely affecting the approved post mining land <br />use in the permit area. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, discharge monitoring reports, the applicant's bond release <br />application, the September 2019 bond release inspection and other prior site inspections, the Division <br />finds that Trapper Mining, Inc. has replaced topsoil in accordance with the approved reclamation <br />plan. Trapper Mining, Inc. has established vegetation which supports the approved post -mine land <br />use and meets the approved success standards. As no TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), values for active <br />outfalls and no exceedances of primary effluent limitations have been reported through TMI's monthly <br />and annual water quality reports The Division finds that the reclaimed area subject to this bond release <br />is not contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of <br />pre -mining levels. <br />The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in the general area <br />on the hydrologic balance, as described in Rule 2.05.6(3), has been made by the Division. This <br />assessment, entitled: Yampa River Cumulative Hvdrolo iccIImpact Statement, was completed in May <br />2010. This report is available for inspection at the offices of the Division. <br />In the past, the Division has found that the operations proposed under the Application have been <br />designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the proposed permit area [in <br />compliance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(c)]. The Division is in the process of updating the 2010 version of <br />the Yampa River Cumulative Hvdrolo impact Statement. This update will include an analysis of <br />recent data from water quality sampling of the Yampa River and tributaries potentially impacted by <br />the Trapper Coal Mine. See the heading: Evaluation of Hydrologic Impacts above, of this findings <br />document for additional discussion of the hydrologic consequences of mining operations at the <br />Trapper Mine. <br />V. PROPOSED DECISION <br />Based on the above observations, the Division proposes to approve Trapper Mining, Inc.'s request <br />Permit Number C1981010 <br />SL20 Page 14 of 17 <br />