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-9- <br />IV. Geology - Rules 2.04.5 and 2.04.6(1) <br />The geology sections of the permit application, found in S=_ction 2.04.6 of <br />Volume I and Appendix D, Volume III, have been reviewed by the Division for <br />compliance. <br />The data provided in Appendix D, Section 1 (mass spectrometry analysis) <br />of the application indicate that the overburden and interburden contain <br />some chemical constituents at suspect (abnormally high) levels according to <br />preliminary guidelines of the Division. The parameters of particular <br />concern consist of lead, cadmium, molybdenum, zinc, copper, nickel, <br />maganese, boron and sodium. <br />The disturbance of these overburden materials could impact the quality of <br />the ground water and surface water. Water quality could be degraded as a <br />result of leaching of the overburden materials in the pit and in the excess <br />spoil pile. Ground water could be directly affected by the leaching. <br />Leaching in combination with surface runoff from the overburden materials <br />could potentially impact the surface water quality. The significance of <br />the potential for degradation of the quality of the water will be discussed <br />in a later section of this document (section V). <br />Another potential impact is related to the suitability of the overburden <br />material as a plant growth medium. High levels of soluble salts are suggested <br />by high values of electrical conductivity (see Appendix D, page 2 of Accu-Lab <br />Data and see page 2 of Report No. 73-89194, in Volume III). High sodium <br />levels as well as high SAR's indicate sodic conditions. Sodium in the <br />soil tends to break down soil structure, particularly in soils of predominantly <br />clay texture. The result of this breakdown is a decrease in water holding <br />capacity and a decrease in water availability for plant growth. <br />Based on growth observed at the mine, however, the sodic nature of the <br />material is not a significant problem. There are areas of the excess spoil <br />pile which have several years grocath of vegetation on them. Other portions <br />of the waste pile which have recently been seeded have demonstrated little <br />problem with seed germination. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />The surface water quantity and quality portions of the permit application can <br />be found in Section 2.04.7 (Volume I), Appendix I (Volume IV), Appendix L <br />(Volume V) and Appendix S (Volume VIII). Surface water quality data for <br />the smaller drainages are given in Exhibit CC of the volume entitled Exhibit II. <br />The portions dealing with diversions, sediment control and discharge <br />structures can be located in Sections 2.05.3 and Appendix E, Volume III. <br />