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north of the East Mains discussed in the previous paragraph. The inflow water is <br /> collected in mine sumps and used for dust control in the mining process and for haul <br /> road dust control. Initially following resumption of operations in 2000, inflows were <br /> entirely consumed by dust control operations, but beginning in May 2002, discharge <br /> via CDPS Outfall 002 was resumed. For the purposes of projecting the effect mine <br /> discharge will have on East Salt Creek, PHC projections in Appendix N have <br /> assumed a conservative maximum mine flow rate of 100 gpm, or 0.22 CFS. <br /> The quantity of inflows which have been observed to date and are projected upon <br /> resumption of mining in future permit terms are considered to be insignificant with <br /> respect to effects on flow in the ephemeral surface drainages, or with respect to <br /> recharge of the coal seam. Based on information provided in the permit application, <br /> ground water intercepted by the mine does not appear to be in communication with <br /> any aquifers being put to beneficial use, and there are no registered wells within two <br /> miles of the permit boundary. <br /> The quality of water discharged from the mine is similar to, or of higher quality,than <br /> water in East Salt Creek at the confluence with McClane Creek, and any discharge is <br /> required to meet NPDES discharge standards. For these reasons,no detrimental <br /> impact to ground water resources or to surface water quality downstream of the <br /> permit area is expected. Original ground water flow patterns in the mined area will <br /> ultimately be reestablished after the mine is sealed and the abandoned workings <br /> slowly fill with water. <br /> An alluvial aquifer has been identified along East Salt Creek. Monitoring wells <br /> established in the alluvium indicate that alluvial water levels fluctuate seasonally in <br /> response to flow in East Salt Creek. Data collected by the applicant from the Salt <br /> Creek alluvial aquifer indicate a carbonate-sulfate type water, similar to the <br /> characteristics of the surface water in the system as would be expected. No effects to <br /> alluvial ground water quality or quantity are anticipated. <br /> Surface Water Effects <br /> McClane Canyon is an ephemeral drainage which is normally dry. Flows that do <br /> occur are in response to snowmelt or intense rainstorms, and are usually of short <br /> duration. McClane Canyon drainage is tributary to East Salt Creek,which is an <br /> intermittent tributary of the Colorado River. Water quality is typical of and climate, <br /> with ephemeral and intermittent systems located in marine deposited sedimentary <br /> land forms. Dissolved constituents often reach very high levels following dry <br /> periods and during the winter,when stream flows are made up almost entirely of <br /> recharge from ground water and from stagnant or semi-stagnant pools. Suspended <br /> solids levels are high during spring runoff and following high intensity rainstorms, <br /> due to sparse vegetation and erodible soils. <br /> Due to the limited areal extent of surface disturbance, existence of effective sediment <br /> control measures, and small quantity and acceptable quality of projected mine water <br /> xx <br />