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<br />reclamation. Initially, most of that increased load <br />would be retained in the soils and alluvium along <br />Foidel Creek. Eventually, however, most of this <br />increased load would probably pass through the drain- <br />age net and reach the Colorado River. <br />Current dissolved solids load in the Colorado River <br />downstream from Hoover Dam is about 8,975,800 tons <br />annually, and dissolved solids concentration averages <br />about 681 mg/1. Increasing that amount by 520 tons/yr <br />would represent an increase in load of only 0.006 <br />percent and an increase in dissolved solids concen- <br />tration of only 0.04 mg/1. Small as this percent <br />change is, the salinity problem in the lower Colorado <br />River system is such that any increase in load and <br />consequent increase in dissolved solids concentration <br />is regarded as a significant impact to the use of <br />this water downstream. <br />b. Surface Water <br />All existing drainage courses would be removed within' <br />the mined areas and would be replaced by channels <br />constructed in spoil materials and surfaced by <br />replaced spoils. Re-establishment of stable channels <br />is required by Regulations 30 CFR 700. Re-establishment <br />of channels that would be as stable as those now <br />existing would be difficult, however, if the present <br />125 <br />