Laserfiche WebLink
If the concern over the high sodium absorption ratios is <br />related to the possibility of groundwater contamination by high <br />sodium concentrations, the regulatory authority is specifically <br />referred to the discussion concerning existing poor groundwater <br />quality in the vicinity (see Page 66, Appendix C and Section 2.05.6 <br />(3)(b)(iv) Page 98) A quantified discussion of the minimal amounts <br />of groundwater flow that is available to potentially leach sodium <br />from the overburden is presented in Appendix C Pages 65-67 and in <br />Section 2.05.6(3)(b)(iv) Pages 94-97. <br />In summary, Wyoming Fuel Company does not feel that sodium <br />absorption ratios will be any greater after mining than has been <br />demonstrated by baseline studies, hence, no special handling of the <br />overburden need be addressed. <br />GROUND WATER <br />2.04.7 (1) (b) <br />The "seep" at the extreme upper end of the North Fork of <br />Bolton Draw and small stock pond below it have been located on <br />Figure 2A (Reclamation Plan) attached to this Addendum. Since <br />the "seep" flows only in response to major precipitation events <br />and resultant infiltration, its flows are sporatic. The rate during <br />flow has never been quantified, but the small surface area of the <br />pond below the seep (0.08 acres) most certainly indicates the flow <br />is very minimal. No water rights of record exist for the pond. <br />It is our belief that the geometry of Pit 2 can not possibly <br />have any direct affect on the amount of groundwater potentially <br />available to the seep via the terrace gravels. <br />ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOORS <br />2.06.8 <br />1) The regulatory authority is referred to Page 9 of <br />Addendum I which states "TO the best of Wyoming Fuel Company's <br />knowledge, nowhere in North Park is a geographically isolated <br />tract of this size economic for any kind of agricultural activity <br />other than rangeland". The logical inference in this statement is <br />that the area contained in the regional survey for irrigation <br />practices is the entire North Park Basin. <br />2) The discussion presented by the regulatory authority is <br />correct. In the scenario presented in Addendum I the worst case <br />condition was depicted assuming that all snowmelt was converted <br />to direct runoff. Obviously, since the average April 1 water content <br />from snowpack does not occur as a single runoff event it is not <br />-3- <br />