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PKELTMTNARY ADGQiTACY RF.VTF.W CHIMNEY ROCK COAL COMPANY MARTINEZ STRIP M1NF.. GRODND WATER AND AVF Flistory of Previous Meeti~s of the Division Staff with Chimney Rock In two previous meetings, August 19, 1980 and September 10, 1980, repre- sentatives of Chimney Rock Coal Company met with the Division to discuss ground and surface water monitoring data requirements, and information required for the Division to make an alluvial valley floor (AVF) deter- mination. The Division expressed its concerns about depletions in the quantity and surface and ground waters and the degradation in the qual- ity of surface and ground waters. Specifically, these concerns related to the impacts of mining the coal seams below the level of Stollsteimer Creek and its alluvial aquifer. The Division informed the operator that there was a high potential for the mining operation producing mine inflows which would: 1) Deplete the flow of water in Stollsteimer Creek and in its alluvium and 2) Degrade the quality of water in the Creek and its alluvium. The two areas of the mining operation which the Division identified as potentially producing these impacts were the mining of the "B" and "C" seams in the present pi[ and the mining of "A," "B," and "C" seams in the proposed pit in the Barren Ridge area. The Division suggested measures for developing a surface and ground water monitoring system to resolve the concerns related to potential impacts of mining on the hydrologic balance and on AVFs. The company was also informed of additional data and reconnaissance studies needed to prepare findings in accordance with the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. The applicant was informed that high potential for pit inflows may preclude mining in the aforementioned areas unless a sufficient demon- stration was made showing that the proposed operation would not adversely impact the AVFs, minimize adverse impact to the prevailing hydrologic balance and prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area (see CRS 1973, 34-33-114(2)(c) and (e)). Site Observation Made by AtLRD Staff July 13, 1982 During the site visitation, the "B" and "C" coal seams were being mined at an elevation below the level of Stollsteimer Creek and its alluvium. Two mine inflows were observed entering the active pit from previously mined areas. One inflow was flowing down the dip of the floor strata from tl~e northeast and the other inflow was flowing along the western extent of the pit. Both inflows entered the active pit below the level of Stollsteimer Creek. The strata on the pit floor was dry, which indicated no vertical