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Bob Liddle -2- December 2, 1981 <br />when the mining operations stop and the pumps are turned off, the depletion <br />of the stream will continue until the mine cavity, fractures, faults, and over- <br />lying depleted aquifers have completely filled (recharged). During this period, <br />water depleted from North and Middle Thompson Creeks will reduce the surface <br />water available for downstream alluvial valley floors (A VF) and supplies to <br />downstream water right holders. <br />The water which fills the abandoned mine cavity will be eirposed to fractured <br />and fragmented coal and roof strata and to the floor strata. This exposure will <br />result in a degradation of water quality within the mine cavity and possibly <br />the ground water quality of overlying aquifers which have fractures communi- <br />cation with the mine cavity. With adequate sealing of the mine opening, the <br />impacts of polluted water on surface water quality from the mine cavity and <br />effected strata will be minimal. water from the mine cavity and the effected <br />strata will enter the regional ground water flow system, where the rate of <br />flow, the dillution rate and dispersion rate have not been quantified, and <br />the direction of regional flow has not been identified. <br />To date, insufficient geologic and hydrologic data has been gathered and <br />presented within the permit application, This lack of data has also resulted <br />in an inadequate assessment of the seasonal fluctuations in the quality and <br />quantity of surface and ground water and of the hydrologic consequences of <br />mining operations both on and off site. The additional data and analyses of <br />that data are needed to make the following written findings by the Division: <br />1) The applicant has provided to the bivision sufficient geologic <br />information to make an environmental assessment (Rule 2.07.6(2)(a)), <br />2) The applicant has provided to the Division adequate hydrologic <br />information to make an environmental assessment (Rule 2.07.6(2)(a)). <br />3) That the operations proposed under the application have been <br />designed to prevent damage to the hydrologic balance outside the proposed <br />permit area (Rule 2.07.6(2)(c)). <br />9) That the operations will not interrupt, discontinue or preclude <br />farming upon alluvial valley floors (Rule 2.07.6(2)(k)). <br />5) That the applicant has identified the extent to which the proposed <br />mining activities may proximately result in contamination, diminution or <br />interruption of an underground or surface source of water within the proposed <br />permit and adjacent areas for all legitimate beneficial use. If water right <br />will be impacted, the applicant will provide an alternative water supply. <br />The responses to the following inadequacies and the materials contained in the <br />response to PAR questions should be incorporated into the permit document as <br />additions or amendments. The permit document shou.~d also be paginated. <br />