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~~ <br /> <br />Surface water <br />Runoff from the Eckman Park area and Energy Mine 1 flows into the South Fork <br />of Foidel Creek, an intermittent stream. Runoff from Energy Mine 2 flows into <br />Fish Creek, a perennial stream. Salts introduced into the ground-water system <br />from the mining operation will be diluted and discharged eventually as springs <br />into Fish Creek, which flows into the Colorado River. The increased salinity <br />of these waters could add to the Colorado River's existing salinity problems. <br />No acid- or toxic-forming materials are present in the mine area. <br />To prevent increases in erosion, Energy Fuels intends to use vegetation to <br />stablize all areas disturbed by construction of the embankments. <br />The upstream face of the embankment will be covered with rip rap or otherwise <br />stabilized. In addition, the company will use contour furrowing, if needed, <br />during revegetation of hill slopes to reduce runoff velocities and to trap <br />sediment. All runoff from the Eckman Park area will eventually be detained in <br />a sediment pond to insure that suspended solids concentrations are within <br />effluent limitations. Permanent diversion ditches will intercept surface flow <br />upslope and downslope of the two permanent spoils areas, preventing upslope <br />runoff from entering the spoil and detaining downslope runoff coming from the <br />spoils. Sediment accumulation will be measured biannually, and sediment will <br />be removed when it reaches 60 percent of the designed sediment storage <br />volume. <br />The company will regrade and revegetate the sediment ponds and temporary <br />• diversion ditches after the disturbed area is restored. The permanent <br />diversion ditches are designed as riprapped channels during all phases of <br />use; therefore, the company will repair and clear them as necessary. <br />Ephemeral stream channels will be re-established to approximate <br />premining geometry and gradient. Energy Fuels plans to have no slopes greater <br />than 3:1. <br />The proposed mining operation will destroy two of the three reservoirs in the <br />Eckman Park area. These two reservoirs were used for stock watering 30 years <br />ago. Since then, they have been used only by wildlife; therefore, the loss of <br />these reservoirs would not affect water users downstream. OSMs special <br />stipulation for wildlife (Ii5) will mitigate any adverse impacts caused by <br />destruction of the two reservoirs. <br />Energy Fuels will monitor surface water quality weekly and measure <br />temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, oil, and grease. Flumes in <br />the stream will be gaged continuously, and flow will be measured weekly at <br />weirs. The company will report on discharge quality quarterly in accordance <br />with the water-quality permit (NPDES). <br />Impacts to the surface-water regime will include increased total dissolved <br />solids, increased suspended solids, evaporation of impounded water, and <br />destruction of two of three reservoirs in the area. however, Energy Fuels <br />plans to apply adequate mitigating measures to offset these impacts, as <br />described in the mining and reclamation plan. There may be, a long-term <br />• <br />- 11 - <br />