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Protection of the Hydrologic Balance <br />This section is divided into discussions: one is the protection of the Hydrologic Balance and the <br />other of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences of mining. As of June 2001, significant data has <br />been collected over the years to make better predictions of both of these topics. <br />A) PROTECTION OF THE HYDROLOGIC BALANCE <br />Introduction <br />Surface mining activities to be conducted at the New Horizon 2 mining area outlined in this permit <br />application have been planned to minimize impacts on the hydrologic balance. Mining, reclamation, <br />and monitoring plans and data reporting have been developed to be consistent with the findings <br />of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences analysis presented at the end of this section. The <br />following discussion addresses mining, reclamation, and monitoring plans, and data reporting in <br />the context of how they relate to ground and surface water protection and monitoring. References <br />to those sections which contain details regarding mining and reclamation plans and practices have <br />been incorporated. Finally, discussions on alluvial valley floors and water rights are also included. <br />Ground Water Protection <br />The discussion for ground water protection has been divided into three parts: 1) ground water <br />quality; 2) ground water quantity; and 3) ground water monitoring. <br />Ground Water Quality <br />Mining practices that involve replacement of spoil material into mine pits are detailed in Section <br />2.05.4(2)(c), Backfilling and Grading. Topsoil and overburden handling procedures are detailed <br />in Section 2.05.4(2)(d), Topsoil (Redistribution). These handling procedures were developed after <br />reviewing the physical and chemical properties of the overburden, coal, and interburden in the New <br />Horizon 2 mining area (see Section 2.04.6, Geology). The thin, isolated bands of acidic <br />overburden identified in the New Horizon 2 area are situated between thick layers of overburden <br />that exhibit a sufficient degree of neutralization potential. Extensive testing of the spoil water <br />quality at the New Horizon #1 area has shown that some areas that have a higher pyritic content <br />in the shale, which can result in oxidation of the pyrite, resulting in a lowering of the pH and an <br />increase in Total Dissolved Solids. This can occur over hundreds of years in the spoil until the <br />water quality gradually approaches that of the typical overburden, which is still very high in TDS. <br />In the Probable Hydrologic Consequences Item 5) Potential impacts of replaced spoil on <br />groundwater quality, this oxidation and its impacts are discussed in extensive detail. Overall, the <br />July 2016 (TR -74) 2.05.6(3)-1 <br />