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fluctuation in quality and quantity of groundwater in the seam. Initial Rolling <br />• Sandstone water quality is included in the Graystone report. The Unit Train <br />Loadout piezometers show seasonal fluctuations in the water level due to their <br />close connection with the Colorado River. <br />(iv) There are two wells listed with the State Engineer which are close to the permit <br />area. Information for these wells is given in Figures 7-1 and 7-2. The Benitendi <br />well is in shallow alluvial material adjacent to Rapid Creek. The Public Service <br />well is in shallow alluvial material adjacent to the Colorado River. Applying the <br />definition of adjacent area from Rule 1.04, we do not consider these wells to <br />qualify as beneficial use within an adjacent area. The Benitendi well is at a lower <br />elevation than our closest mining operations. The old Blue Flame Mine lies <br />between the Roadside South mine and this well. The Public Service well is in <br />the Colorado River alluvium at a lower elevation than water standing in the <br />Roadside South portal and is located over 1/2 mile away from the portal. <br />• <br />(v) Quality of subsurface waters in the Mesa Verde formation north of the permit <br />area has been monitored by the U.S. Geologic Survey. Analysis of the <br />groundwater determined that levels of iron, m~. ,anese, sulfate, fluoride, and <br />total dissolved solids are unusually high. (Grodgen and Giles, 1977, see Table <br />4, Appendix 7-1). The Mesa Verde formation in the permit area is believed to <br />be hydrogeologically the same as the Mesa Verde to the north (Giles, 1977). A <br />regional investigation by the U.S.G.S. which includes the permit area was <br />conducted by Price and Waddle in 1973. They reported that groundwater from <br />bedrock aquifers in the area would typically be of poor chemical quality from <br />most uses and that total dissolved solids typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 <br />milligrams per liter. In short, groundwater from Mesa Verde formation in the <br />permit area can be expected to be of poor quality and not suited for most <br /> <br />