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Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C. August 2005 Spruce Stomp Federal Coal Exploration License (150- 200543) fluids (foam) that is injected through the drill string is discharged to the surface to constructed basins, along with drill cuttings. The volume of drilling make -up water injected would vary from zero to five gpm and average 1 to 2 gpm. After groundwater is intersected, formation water, drilling make -up water, foam, and cuttings are discharged to the surface. Typically, as more formation water is encountered less drilling make -up water is used. The water quality of formation water discharged could range from the lower TDS alluvial system groundwater to the high TDS Mesaverde Formation groundwater. Through the use of effective surface discharge management and monitoring techniques, BMPs, and surrounding surface water monitoring and reporting, impacts from drilling make -up water or formation water discharged during the drilling operation would be minimized. Due to different saturated zones throughout the varied geologic section from the bedrock to the alluvial groundwater systems and low primary permeabilities, no effects on groundwater are foreseen. In addition, with the minimal amount of formation water discharged to the surface and the depth to groundwater, the impacts from the drilling process (including subsidence) are not foreseen. In the event that saturated, highly permeable fractures are encountered large volumes of groundwater could be discharged to the surface. Under these circumstances impacts to groundwater in storage could occur, however these impacts would be temporary in nature. Seeps, Springs, Ponds Impacts to seeps and springs in the SSCEL are not foreseen. Of the potential seeps and springs in the SSCEL, there is only one seep within a 0.1 -mile radius of exploration borehole PRP- SS -10. This seep is upslope at a distance of 275 feet. No other seeps or springs were identified within 0.125 -mile radius of any of the other exploration boreholes within the SSCEL (Stover 2004). ' Seep and spring discharge in the SSCEL is primarily from unconsolidated colluvial and alluvial sediments that rest on bedrock. Water- quality data suggest that seep and spring discharge from the alluvial system is locally derived. Therefore, no effects from groundwater produced from bedrock formations during the drilling process are foreseen for having an impact to seeps, springs, or ponds within or outside of the SSCEL. At shallower drilling depths, within ' unconsolidated colluvial, and alluvial sediments, there is a potential that drilling discharge could be derived from the shallow localized groundwater system. Therefore, there is a potential that seep or spring discharge could be impacted; however, impact would probably be minimal due to ' the distance of the known seep at exploration site PRP -SS -10 (at 275 feet), the seeps and springs distance of greater than 0.1 -mile from any of the other exploration sites, and the seasonable variability of seep and spring discharge. Terror Creek Reservoir and Overland Ditch The closest SSCEL - Proposed Action borehole and road reconditioning is approximately 0.5 -mile southwest and downgradient of Terror Creek Reservoir and five miles southwest of Overland Ditch. The closest access road to Terror Creek Reservoir for the Proposed Action is 0.5 -mile. Therefore, no impacts are foreseen with the access to, spring flows to, or discharges from Terror Creek Reservoir. Overland Ditch is out of the drainage area and, therefore, out of the area of potential effect. 3 -27