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West Elk Mine <br />• These two distances indicate that, for a spring to avoid any potential impacts, the source of the <br />spring must be at least 280 feet above the uppermost seam that is being mined and more than <br />25 to 35 feet below the ground surface. From a practical standpoint, because every spring (by <br />definition) "daylights" at the ground surface, there is an extremely small risk that any given spring <br />will encounter a surface crack. However, it is essential to recognize the following: <br />• <br />• <br />• Site specific evidence demonstrates that surface cracks are most likely to occur over chain <br />pillars, barriers and mine boundaries. Consequently, if a spring and its source are not located in <br />these areas, they will be unaffected by surface cracks. This is true for most of the springs in the <br />South of Divide mining area. <br />• The spring source could easily be unaffected by a surface crack, even if the spring itself is <br />affected (at the point where it surfaces). In this case, the spring would re-emerge at another <br />location. <br />It is feasible to define which of the springs (and sources) in the permit area are at least 280 feet <br />above the E Seam, which will leave them essentially inmlune to mine fracture impacts. This <br />analysis has been conducted, and all of the springs in the South of Divide and Diy Fork mining <br />areas are at least 280 feet above the E Seam. Map 37 depicts these springs. <br />2.05-199 Remised June 200.1 PR10. January 2006, Alarch 2006; Rev. Mm, 2006 PRIG. Alov. 2006 TR107: Sep. 2007 PR12;Feb 2008 PR12 <br />