PERMFILE53089

• Permit No: X200521710
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/29/2005
• Doc Name: Environmental Assessment Spruce Stomp Federal Coal Exploration License
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, LLC.
August 2005 Spr Stomp Federal Coal Ezplomtion License (I SO- 2005
Groundwater Quality
Groundwater samples collected from wells installed in the alluvium indicate that the alluvial
groundwater quality is similar to the surface water quality of adjoining creeks. Both alluvial
groundwater and surface water are calcium bicarbonate type water with relatively low TDS
concentrations of less than 400 mg/1 and pH ranges from 7.0 to 9.3 (USDA -FS 2001, BLM AND
GMUG 2000). The similarity of water quality suggests that discharge from the saturated
' alluvium and colluvium influences surface water chemistry.
Water quality results from wells monitoring the Rollin Sandstone Member of the Mesaverde
Formation indicate high TDS sodium - bicarbonate type water with additional concentrations of
sulfate, iron, and chloride. Coal seam water quality varies and is generally sodium - calcium
bicarbonate- sulfate type water with high TDS concentration that can range from 644 mg/1 to
13,828 mg/l. High concentrations of iron and manganese are common (USDA -FS 2003).
3.2.4.2 Environmental Consequences
Proposed Action
The activities of the Proposed Action that have the potential to impact SSCEL hydrologic
resources include temporary road construction, the reconditioning of existing roads, surface
water withdrawal, drilling -water discharge, and exploration drilling. These activities would be
conducted in the vicinity of the East Fork of Terror Creek, the West Fork of Terror Creek, Terror
' Creek Reservoir, and near isolated seeps, springs, and ponds. The proposed total depths of the
eleven exploration boreholes, in order to contact the upper portion of the Rollins Sandstone
Member of the Mesaverde Formation, range from 1,515 feet to 2,715 feet. The approximate
average amount of time required to complete one exploration borehole is one to two weeks (Hunt
2005).
Water Rights
Six cfs (6,92.8 gpm) of water is diverted from Terror Creek into a ditch owned by the Terror
Creek Reservoir and Ditch Company (Company). This water is divided into 200 shares of which
7 are owned by BRL. These 7 shares translate to approximately 48.98 acre feet of water per
usage year (July, August, September and October).
The Company depends on natural flows from the Terror Creek drainage to be of sufficient
quantity to meet annual demand. When the natural flows are not adequate, water is released
from Terror Creek Reservoir to augment flow.
BRL proposes to pump 2.2 acre feet of water (5 gpm for 100 days) from Terror Creek upstream
of the diversion. To compensate for this upstream usage, BRL would abstain from their alotted
water from the Terror Creek ditch for 5.3 days during the normal usage year. 2.2 acre feet of
water is equal to Bowie's 7 -share allocation during a 5.3 day period. Therefore, there would be
no net increase in water use from Terror Creek, as a result of the project.
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