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secondary drinking water standards (see permit pages 2.04.7-14 through 18 and Table 2). The <br />above factors, coupled with low selenium levels ranging from 0.001 to 0.002, allow the water to <br />be used for stock watering. <br />An EPA report on the "Environmental Effects of Western Coal Mining, Part III" suggested that <br />the alkaline nature of western water (including that within this permit area) may limit or reduce <br />the solubility of heavy metals concentration in waters neaz or adjacent to a coal mining operation. <br />This fact, together with a low coal sulfur content (0.33 [0 0.57 percent), more than likely <br />accounts for the low trace metals found in the somewhat alkaline ground water on the permit site. <br />In conclusion, impacts of the Colowyo surface mining operations on bedrock aquifers aze <br />confined to the permit azea and aze not expected to be significant. <br />Alluvial Ground Water <br />Potential impacts to alluvial ground water systems aze discussed in Section XVII of this <br />document. Generally, a slight potential for degradation of alluvial ground water was recognized <br />in the Permit and the 1982 Findings Document. A plan was approved to monitor alluvial ground <br />water on Goodspring and Wilson Creek. Results of monitoring indicate no detectable impacts on <br />alluvial ground water to date. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the assessment of the probable consequences of the proposed <br />mining operation and the assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining <br />in the area on the hydrologic balance, as described in Rule 2.05.6(3), have been made. The <br />proposed operation has been found to be designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic <br />balance outside the permit area. <br />44 Revised October 30, 1997 <br />