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u <br />The permit area is drained mainly by the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River. This river has carved a major canyon in the area which in part <br />has exposed the coal seams that are being mined in this valley. <br />Surface Water <br />Because this revision covers an adjacent area to the present Bear <br />operations, the details of the surface water hydrology of the general <br />area, adjacent area, and permit area, have been submitted in the Permit <br />Application filed with the Division by the Bear Coal Company on February <br />16, 1981. Likewise, information on the surface water hydrology is <br />included as part of the Mt. Gunnison Mine Permit Application submitted <br />by ARCO. Surface water quality and quantity measurements and estimates <br />are found in the aforementioned permit applications. This data has been <br />reviewed and evaluated by OSM and the Division in these previous permit <br />applications. <br />• The hydrological features of the permit area encompassed by this permit <br />revision are set forth on the Geology/Hydrology Map (Map 6}. The <br />regional hydrologic features of the general area are set forth on the <br />Regional Geo]ogy Map {Map 5). <br />Alternative Water Supplies <br />The Bear Coal Company mining activities will not cause contamination, <br />diminution, or interruption of any underground or surface source of <br />water. The consequences of mining on the hydrologic balance, existing <br />water resources, and water rights, will not be adverse, and probably <br />non-existent. <br />Because of the very limited or lack of groundwater in the area of <br />planned mining, there should be no measureable effects on the <br />groundwater system or groundwater rights. No permanent or continuous <br />aquifers will be impacted by the mining operation. Likewise, the mining <br />• operations will not significantly alter water quality in the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison River. <br />2.04-31 <br />