Laserfiche WebLink
_12_ <br />The proposed mining operation and future mining will improve the quality <br />of ground water in the area. The toxic Lennox and Cameron coals will be <br />mined and the toxic roof and floor strata associated with these coals <br />will be backfilled above the ground water table, thus removing a source <br />of ground water pollution. The future pumpage and subsequent treatment <br />of polluted ground water from old mine also has the potential of improving <br />ground water quality. <br />[dith the acceptance of the stipulations in the ground water section of this <br />document, the mining operation has been designed to pz'event the material <br />damage to the quality and quantity of ground water on- and off-site. <br />Surface Water <br />Grodon Arroyo, Maitland Arroyo and an unnamed tributary of Maitland Arroyo <br />flow from west to east across the permit area. These streams are ephemeral, <br />thus flow only during snowmelt and during precipitation events. The <br />applicant has not supplied any surface water quality and quantity data <br />for these streams. <br />The applicant has agreed to 500 feet buffer zone on either side of the <br />three streams in the permit and adjacent areas until a years worth of <br />baseline data has been submitted. The applicant will not discharge <br />polluted ground water from abandoned underground coal mines to surface <br />streams. Drainage from disturbed areas will be controlled by surface water <br />diversions and will be treated in sediment ponds. Drainage from undisturbed <br />areas will be diverted away from c?isturbed areas. Given the commitments <br />of the applicant mentioned above, their will be no material damage to <br />the quantity and quality oi' surface waters. <br />The impacts of toxic, acid, and alkaline strata on the quality of surface <br />water wi1Z be minimized by covering all backfilled areas within four feet <br />of non-toxic cover materials. Coal processing wastes will also be placed <br />within the backfill so that they will ;rot impact surface and ground water <br />quality (see "Backfill and Grading" section of this document). <br /> <br />