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2.05 AFPLZCATICN FCZt PIItMIT FOR SORF~fL,Z OR ~ID hIIHIIJG P~Cl`IVITIF~ -
<br />MINIId@i RDQOmQ~S71'S ECYZ OPES2}1TION AMID RDQ.AMA'1'ICgi PZ~AtiB.
<br />• 2.05.6 Mitigation of Surface Goal Mining Operation Eaq~acts. (Cont'd.)
<br />(3) (b) (iii) (Cont'd.)
<br />September, 1982, to determine the essential hydrologic functions of the
<br />North Fork alluvial valley floor. Two of the wells, MW-2 and MW-3 have
<br />since been determined to be installed in areas which are no longer
<br />classified as alluvial valley floor (TR-13). Refer to the Phase II AVF
<br />study in Volimie 4 for further discussion on the construction of these
<br />wells. 'These wells are also currently monitored when accessible in
<br />accordance with Volume 4, CZYoundwater Appendix, Table 4B.
<br />Baseline Hvdrologv Monitoring Program -Permit and Adiacent Areas
<br />In 1982 aryl 1983, CWI instituted a hydrology monitoring program to
<br />obtain baseline information on several representative springs, ponds,
<br />streams, and groundwater wells. Several water resources from each of
<br />the five drainages within or adjacent to the permit area were chosen
<br />for monthly monitoring (see Volume 4, Map No. 4-1). These water
<br />resources, springs 16 through 31, ponds 81 through 90, stream
<br />monitoring stations SW-1 through SW-12, and grourxi4rater monitoring
<br />wells DH-58, DH-60, DH-65, DH-68, DH-70, DH-76, and GR-77, were chosen
<br />as representative resources based upon the locale and distribution in
<br />the drainages, the use of the water, whether the water resource was an
<br />adjudicated water right, perennial discharge, and the site
<br />acceptability. This past water monitoring program is discussed in the
<br />following sections.
<br />In discussions between CWT, CI~RD, and the BLM in Montrose, the
<br />involved parties concluded that an emphasis should be given to the
<br />hydrologic monitoring within the area to be impacted by the minim in
<br />the next five years and adjudicated water rights within the permit
<br />area. As a result of past higher production rates, a majority of the
<br />permit area was included by CWI in the five-year mine plan area.
<br />~VCC's current projection of the five-year mine plan encompasses a
<br />much smaller portion of the permit area and hydrologic monitoring is
<br />now limited to the latest projected five-year mine plan area and
<br />additional areas which have recently been mined.
<br />Past Surface Water Monitoringt -Permit and Adiacent Area
<br />CwTI divided the surface water monitoring requirements into streamflow
<br />monitoring and pond monitoring.
<br />CWI installed and monitored eight continuously recording stream
<br />monitoring stations in the Stevens Gulch, Fast Roatcap Creek, Main
<br />Roatcap Creek, and Terror Creek drainages. In 1982, CWI retained
<br />Watec, Inc. of Aurora, Colorado, to calculate flume sizings and install
<br />stream gauges SW-1, SW-2, SW-5, and SW-6. Piteau and Associates of
<br />Golden, Colorado, installed stream gauges SW-9, SW-10, SW-11, and SW-12
<br />. in 1983. Most of these stations consist of a Parshall flume, a
<br />stilling well, and a 32-day Steven's type "F" recorder. The monitoring
<br />TR 93-24 Revised 12/10/93
<br />116
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