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requested modifications. Finally, as we emphasized during the meeting, to preclude a potential conflict with the planned schedule of mining, time is of the essence with respect to the OSM approval of the Elk Creek Federal coal lease mine plan. Many components of the final Water Replacement Plan are to be completed in atwo-Phased approach, and have not yet been completed. Recognizing this, the BLM requested that a timeline be provided for the remaining schedule of activities and commitments. OMLLC specifically requests that the two Federal agencies review the enclosed information and the Plan timeline as expeditiously as possible. After such a review, OMLLC requests that the BLM and USFS provide a mine plan approval concurrence letter to the OSM so that mining on the Federal coal lease can begin as soon as possible. Comments regarding the Mazch 10, 2003 letter. While the "Recipe for a Water Replacement Plan Associated with Coal Mining Activities" acknowledges the use of referenced materials the BLM has requested that the reference materials be provided in a separate stand-alone submittal. Enclosed is a three-ring binder with additional copies of the requested materials. 2. The hydrologic resources inventory of the Elk Creek lease had been completed by OMLLC during the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology permitting process and the Environmental Impact Statement process completed in February, 2000. The information has previously been submitted to CDMG and additionally to the BLM and USFS agencies. We have enclosed another copy of the hydrologic resources information in the attached binder. OMLLC believes the inventory is complete and accurate. 3. Since OMLLC mining activities do not encroach on Hubbazd Creek nor the subsidence protection zone, we agreed during the meeting that again/loss analysis would be unnecessary. Further, the baseline hydrologic inventory indicates Bear and Elk Creeks are ephemeral streams, flowing only in response to snow melt and rainfall. During the recent past, flows in these drainages have been almost non-existent. As-such, a traditional gain/loss analysis of these two streams would be problematic to obtain and of little technical value. Potential alternatives for monitoring of the streams were discussed at our meeting with the final resolution to occur during Phase II of the Water Replacement Plan timeline (shown below). 4. OMLLC's CDMG permit summarizes it's water rights holdings. OMLLC presented the BLM with copies of the information regarding OMLLC's deeded water rights and ability to use these rights to replace or augment unexpected depletions. A copy of the OMLLC water rights information is included as Appendix 5 in the enclosed materials. Phase II of the Plan will address any additional proposals regarding water loss mitigation.