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February 2000 Chapter 3 Page 3-77 one is on BLM surface (J&B Spring and Pipeline 5). These sites are used for stock watering purposes. Six adjudicated water rights associated with wells are located in or around the Iron Point Coal Lease Tract and Exploration License Area. All but the Blue Ribbon well are located along the !North Fork of the Gunnison River and are apparently installed in saturated alluvium. The Biue Ribbon well is located in Hubbard Creek adjacent to the historic Blue Ribbon Mine. This well is installed in the alluvium of Hubbard Creek and has not been in use since the Btue Ribbon Mine was closed. The King Clay well is located on the West Fork Terror Creek. This shallow well is installed in the alluvium along West Fork Terror Creek and is for domestic use. The Peggy Seabloom well is located on the East Fork Terror Creek, about a mile west of Terror Creek Reservoir. This shallow well is installed in the alluvium along Easf Fork Terror Creek and is for domestic use. Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract -There are no adjudicated water rights associated with springs in the Elk Creek Lease Tract area. Two adjudicated water rights associated with wells are located near the Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract (Bear No. 1 and Somerset Mine wells). These wells are located along the North Fork of the Gunnison River and are apparently installed in saturated alluvium. All other active registered wells without water rights are used only for monitoring. 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences Coal mine development in the Iron Point and Elk Creek Coal Lease tracts and exploration activities on the Iron Point Exploration License area could potentialty result in some impacts to area groundwater resources. Longwall mining causes bedrock fracturing and land subsidence above longwall panels. By potentially providing pathways for groundwater to move downward toward the tnihed horizon; fracturing and subsidence may divert water from saturated horizons and surface water bodies above and adjacent to quad areas. Impacts to groundwater systems may potentially result in the decrease in natural discharge rates from springs and seeps or change water levels and yields in area wells. Potential effects include the following. Mining would dewater the coal seam and water-saturated horizons immediately above and below the coal seam. Water quality could be degraded when groundwater flows through active or abandoned mine workings. Transbasin diversion of groundwater resulting from dewatering of the coal seam is a potential impact. Water rights could be affected if area spring flows and associated pond levels and well water levels are diminished. Increased sedimentation of area springs from construction and use of surface facilities (exploration drill pads and associated access roads) could occur. Accidental fuel or solvent spills could impact shallow groundwater locally.