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• The BLM and EPA mandated monitoring program is comprehensive and <br />its intent clearly is to provide regulatory agencies a means of <br />determining the impacts of NaTec's operation on the hydrologic <br />system. The monitoring plan which NaTec presents in the <br />following sections is designed to enable detection of potential <br />impacts that could result from a breach of the cavity hydrologic <br />seal, a well casing failure and impacts that could result from <br />subsidence. In addition, potential impacts on the surface water <br />system resulting from pumping of the water supply wells will be <br />detected if any occur. <br />The EPA's UIC permit was issued for the operational life of the <br />project. The BEM's approval was for a commercial-scale mine. <br />• But, due to the un-tested nature of the project, the EPA and BLM <br />approval is based on a phased approach which will be closely and <br />carefully monitored. The first and second mining cavities will <br />provide an opportunity to test required mitigation/monitoring <br />techniques. Based on the results of initial cavities or pilot <br />phase, the project would continue development of additional <br />cavities to commercial phase if monitoring results do not <br />indicate significant negative impacts. Due to the relative new <br />technology proposed, the mine plan mitigation/monitoring/ <br />reporting requirements will likely require future modifications. <br />The EPA and BLM will have to be in agreement with NaTec's <br />analysis of no significant negative impacts in order for the <br />project to proceed (from initial injection through operational <br />• life). <br />2 <br />