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5. The lack of water resources within the Elk Creek lease was discussed <br />extensively during our meeting, as well as the resultant challenge monitoring <br />very limited and variable hydrologic resources. Phase II ofthe Water <br />Replacement Plan involves a reassessment of the Elk Creek lease hydrologic <br />resources in coordination with Agency personnel to reconfirm the status the <br />hydrologic resources. OMLLC and Agency representatives will then jointly <br />develop additional monitoring programs, if deemed appropriate. Such <br />monitoring would be agreed upon by all affected parties and would also be <br />crafted so as to facilitate a reasonable, measurable determination of injury to <br />the existing hydrologic resources. <br />6. BLM and the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) are continuing <br />discussions with respect to the tabulation of BLM's claim of Bear Creek in- <br />stream flow rights. Due to the lack of reliable and consistent water flow in <br />Beaz creek, OMLLC believes that the issue will have little bearing on the <br />function of an overall Water Replacement Plan. <br />As a result of these discussions, OMLLC has reorganized the water replacement plan into <br />two primary Phases. The following table summarizes the elements of Phase I and Phase <br />II of the Plan. <br />OMLLC's Phase I commitments are completed. Phase I includes the commitment to <br />complete an inventory of hydrologic resources, demonstrate a source ofpossible <br />replacement or augmentation water, develop an initial water replacement plan and <br />develop an initial hydrologic monitoring program. The final item in Phase I includes a <br />review and concurrence by the BLM and USFS of the overall Two-Phased Water <br />Replacement Plan approach. Upon agreement with the timeline and the contents of the <br />Plan, the BLM agreed to provide a concurrence letter to OSM for mining on the Federal <br />coal lease. <br />TIMELINE <br />Phase I and Phase II of the Water Replacement Plan activities are summarized by the <br />following timeline: <br />