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impacts to the groundwater quality and the waters downstream are not significant, although they <br /> occur for a lengthy period of time. <br /> New Horizon has developed plans for sampling overburden during mining to identify the <br /> quantity and quality of deleterious material(see Section 2.04.6, Geology). <br /> Naturally occurring waters in the surrounding undisturbed ground water system exhibit a high <br /> degree of mineralization(see Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Description). Well yields are low. Most <br /> recharge to the local undisturbed ground water system is from both the Lower Second Park and <br /> the West Lateral irrigation ditches and associated laterals via seepage. This localized, artificial <br /> source of ground water recharge will augment slower, natural recharge contributions during the <br /> spoil resaturation process. As spoil resaturation progresses,the quality of ground water in the spoil <br /> will likely approach the water quality of surrounding geologic units. <br /> Mixing and the overall high degree of neutralization potential of the spoil material will <br /> minimize changes in ground water quality. See following discussion on Probable Hydrologic <br /> Consequences. Based on physical and chemical analyses performed on core samples taken from <br /> the lithologic units to be affected by mining (see Section 2.04.6, Geology Description), a <br /> classification system has been developed for these units with regard to handling during <br /> operation and reclamation activities. A handling plan for those material classes identified by <br /> sampling as being potentially deleterious to revegetation or the ground water quality in either <br /> mining area has been developed and is presented in Section 2.05.4(2)(d), Topsoil <br /> (Redistribution). <br /> It is not anticipated that New Horizon will transfer ownership and use of any wells completed <br /> within New Horizon 2 mining areas. Bore holes, shafts, wells, and auger holes will be cased <br /> and/or sealed to prevent possible ground water degradation from mixing of waters of different <br /> quality within the bore holes and acid or toxic surface runoff entering the bore holes. A specific <br /> plan for sealing of bore holes, exploration holes, auger holes, wells, and shafts is presented in <br /> Section 2.05.6(3)(b)(v), Hydrologic Reclamation Plan. <br /> Ground Water Quantity <br /> Typical backfilling methods largely involve the use of dozers and trucks (see Section 2.05.4(2)(c), <br /> Backfilling and Grading). Replaced spoil materials exhibit greater porosities and hydraulic <br /> conductivities because of increased void values, regardless of how the spoil material is replaced <br /> in the pits. <br /> Spoil replacement (backfilling) using methods outlined in Section 2.05.4(2)(c), Backfilling <br /> and Grading, will ensure the eventual resaturation of the disturbed areas (pits), minimizing the <br /> adverse effects of mining on ground water flow. The New Horizon 2 mining area is located in a <br /> January 2017 (TR-77) 2.05.6(3)-2 <br />