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operational life of the project. Because the operation is a relatively new <br />industry, the regulatory agencies and WRN have proceeded on a phased <br />approach based on a Mine Plan which provides detailed plans for 3-5 years and <br />general plans for long term. The first panel of solution mining cavities will be <br />mined at a maximum rite of 220 tons/linear foot or 48,000 tons/acre and will <br />provide an opportunity to test required mitigation/monitoring techniques. Based <br />on the results of initial cavities, the project will continue if monitoring results do <br />not indicate significant negative impacts. Due to the relatively "un-tested" <br />technology utilized in solution mining of nahcolite, the Mine Plan, mitigation <br />and monitoring will likely require continued modification. <br />The monitoring plan wtuch follows is presented in five parts. Section I <br />describes the ground water monitoring program, Section II describes the surface <br />water monitoring program, Section III addresses program to monitor subsidence <br />and cavity configuration, Section N presents monitoring procedures for <br />production wells, and Section V provides details of biological monitoring <br />programs. Finally, the ,appendix summarizes regulatory requirements. <br />SECTION I- GROUND WATER MONITORING PROGRAM <br />1.0 Ground Water Monitoring Wells <br />Pursuant to BLM and EPA requirements, ground water monitoring wells are <br />established within the well field, and outside the direct area of influence of well <br />field operations and zone of influence of subsidence. The dedicated monitoring <br />wells will be completed in a 20 foot interval within the following aquifers: <br />Dissolution Surface, B-Groove, A-Groove, and Perched. Figure 1 illustrates the <br />location of the four aquifers of interest. Monitoring wells are located both up- <br />z <br />