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Groundwater and Surface Water Hydrology Maps (Maps 2.04-MS and 2.04-M6) also <br />present information regarding the location of important hydrologic features within the <br />permit area (also Appendix 6 herein). <br />During the preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement; Iron Point <br />Exploration License, Iron Point Coal Lease Tract; Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract; Delta <br />and Gunnison Counties, Colorado ", USDI-BLM and USDA-Forest Service, February <br />2000 (EIS), OMLLC provided information regarding the hydrologic resources located <br />within the OMLLC permit azea. A summary of the information is contained within the <br />CDMG permit Exhibit 2.04-E4, Hydrologic Information as item 11. The information is <br />also provided herein as Appendix 3. <br />This information satisfies the lease stipulation calling for an inventory of surface and <br />groundwater resources. <br />Groundwater <br />Generally, in the Elk Creek lease area and adjacent areas, little, if any, beneficial use of <br />ground water occurs due to limited availability and poor quality, depth to groundwater, <br />the rugged terrain, the low permeability of geologic strata, etc. There are no identified <br />ground water aquifers identified in the immediate area of the lease area. <br />Perched groundwater systems can exist as springs and seeps within the Elk Creek lease <br />area. Such isolated groundwater occurrences are associated with a lithologic unit which <br />is or was connected to a rechazge source and having sufficient permeability to transmit <br />ground water. Underlying these layers are lithologic units which are fine-grained and <br />' well cemented with low horizontal and vertical permeabilities: <br />The recharge/discharge relationship of these springs and seeps are functions of <br />geomorphology and seasonal variations in precipitation. Typically, discharges aze very <br />small (less than 5 gpm) with TDS levels less than 1,000 mg/1. Most springs and seeps <br />will tend to flow immediately during and after snowmelt, then halt flowing during the <br />later summer months. These perched water zones can also contribute to underlying <br />geologic instabilities, leading to hill slope failures and mass wasting with colluvial type <br />material runout features. Springs and seeps may continue to flow from the toe areas of <br />such colluvial features. <br />Regionally, most such springs and seeps are left undeveloped. In some cases, springs can <br />be developed as water sources for man-made ponds constructed of earth materials. <br />Except for livestock and wildlife, there are no other known uses of this groundwater on <br />the Elk Creek lease. <br />Because of limited flows, none of the springs or seeps have been found to be tributary to <br />the creeks located in the Elk creek lease area and, thus, have not been found to contribute <br />• to the overall surface flows in the area. <br />