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mny transmit only small quan[ities of water, secondary porosity may result in signifrcan[ <br />quantifies ojgroundwater/mine inflow water migrating downgradient away from the <br />mine workings. One concern is [hat this water would likely contain high levels of total <br />dissolved solids (TDS) and may discharge as seeps and springs particarlarly along the <br />coal outcrop north of [he mine workings along Hubbard Creek. <br />The existing monitoring program does not adequately quantify impacts due to the <br />potential for mine discharge via the coal bearing strata and/or surrounding stra[a, and <br />no monitoring has been provided in the "D"seam down gradient ojthe mine workings to <br />verify these conclusions or assess potential impacts. DH-l3 (completed in the upper <br />portion of the "D "seam) is located immediately downgradient of [he proposed panel <br />locations. However, no monitoring has ever been provided for this well since, <br />apparently, the well had filled up with mud The well has only recently been <br />reestablished as a monitoring well. <br />The operator will need ro provide information to demonstrate that potential discharge of <br />water via the mine workings will not adversely impact the Hubbard Creek drainage <br />and/or the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Please provide an explanation of what <br />rmpacts would occur if groundwater/mine inflow water is transmitted offsite via the <br />abandoned mine workings and/or "D "seam. These potential impacts should be <br />discussed in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC) portion ojthe permit. <br />23. An Upper Perched Water Zone is discussed on page 2.04-2~ of the revised permit text <br />and Map 10 shows a potentiometric surface for this water bearing zone. Information <br />presented in the TR-07 submittal indicates that the Upper Perched Water Zone may be <br />dewatered due to mining operations, and that this perched water zone may be a major <br />source for water flowing into the mine workings below. Based on a predicted mine <br />discharge rate of 175 gallons per minute, this inflow may be substantial. <br />To assess changes in the hydrologic balance and to establish baseline information on <br />inflows, mine inflow monitoring and reporting should be incorporated into the approved <br />water quality monitoring program. It is recommended that for flows of s:tff cient <br />discernable volume (>Sgpm), an initial sample be obtained for laboratory anafyses and <br />then sampled annually thereafter. The parameter list should be the same for the <br />groundwater list currently used. Field parameters (pH, conductivity, and temperature) <br />and inflow rates should be measured quarterly and reported in [he AHR. <br />As indicated on page 2.O.i-67, in addition to water moving from formations above the <br />coal seam, some water may occasionally seep into the mine from the coal seam and <br />surrounding strata. Thus, the mine inflow monitoring should include all significant <br />sources of inflow. <br />24. The PHC and the Hydrologic Reclamation Plan presented with the revised lest do not <br />7 <br />