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<br />Hydrology <br />As noted previously, this Technical Analysis is limited to the effects which <br />will or may occur in association with the underground mining of the E-Seam in <br />Section 35, T.12 5, R. 91W. With respect to hydrology, the principal concerns <br />are water resources (principally ground water) which may 6e directly affected <br />by mining and water resources (principally surface water and springs) which <br />may he impacted by subsidence. <br />With respect to the water resources in Section 25, the applicant has provided <br />limited explanations with respect to surface and ground water. The applicant <br />notes that in the existing Alue Ribbon Mine, the E-Seam (and immediate <br />overlying materials) produces little (if any) measurable quantities of water. <br />Sunflower Energy has been forced to obtain water supplies for the mine from an <br />alluvial well adjacent to Hubbard Creek (below the mine site) and from surface <br />water storage along the creek. The applicant has also presented data from one <br />exploration drill hole in the area of the Federal coal whir_11 did not identify <br />the presence of any ground water through the section of the E-Seam. (No <br />mention is made of what media was used in drilling this hole and what effect <br />this might have on detecting the presence of ground water.) The applicant has <br />also specified that no known springs or wells above the mine nor are there <br />known faults in [he area. (No faults have been encountered in the existing <br />Nlue Ribbon Mine.) The absence of faults is considered si,gniEicant since the <br />Presence of ground water is Renerally associated with faulting. Ilowever, OSM <br />notes that faulting, has been identified in the area in I1. S. Geological Survey <br />reports. <br />The OS?4 staff has reviewed the information on ground water resources, as <br />submitted by Sunflower Energy Corporation, and finds the information <br />consistent with the ground water situation as.snciated with other coal mines in <br />the North Fork Valley. The plan, therefore, complies with the ground water <br />protection provisions of 30 CFR R17. <br />IJi tlt respect to surface waters associated caith mining of the E-Seam in Section <br />35, the applicant indicates that the only surface water present in this area <br />is the headwaters of a small ephemeral drainage tributary to Hubbard Creek in <br />the nortlnaest corner of the lease area. According to the applicant, this <br />stream usually has flow three to five weeks per year and flows result solely <br />from spring snowrnelt. Short-duration flows also result from nrecipltation <br />events. The application also contains a statement that no springs exist in <br />this area. <br />As described in the plan, no direct disturbance of the ephemeral drainage will <br />take place as a result of the mining activity. However, this drainage may be <br />impacted if subsidence were to occur. The application contains limited <br />information with respect to an estimate of subsidence (if it were to occur). <br />(See Subsidence section of tl~e TA.) Ilowever, if subsidence did take place, it <br />7 <br />