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-12- 4. Data collected by the permittee indicates a change from calcium-bicarbonate type baseline water to a sodium-sulfate and, rarely, magnesium-sulfate type affected water. These changes, along with the anticipated salt loading, could cause the water quality to be somewhat less suitable for stock water or irrigation. (780-126jjjjj) SAR values may also increase. None of these changes including salt loading, would be significant enough to affect surface water usage. Surface water quality would still be well below recommended stock water standards for total dissolved solids (7000 mg/1 ). Affected surface waters, like the baseline waters, would be classified as medium salinity, low alkali hazard irrigation waters. After pit dewatering has ceased, the pits have been backfilled, graded, top soiled, vegetation is established and sediment ponds are removed, surface water chemistry should return to near baseline conditions. 5. The proposed surface coal mining activities will not affect the surface flow or water quality of Williams and Bush Draws. Kerr Coal Company is leaving a sufficient buffer zone on both William and Bush Draws which will not be mined. There are no impoundments upstream and over the sub-crop of the units to be disturbed by mining which would produce infiltration loss of flow to the pits. Water levels on Map 15a and Table 8a for alluvial wells and adjacent coal seam wells, indicate that the Sudduth Coal seam neither recharges or receives water from the alluvium or the intermittent streams in Williams and Bush Draws. Surface Water, Tipple Area There will be no diminution of surface water quantity at the Tipple area. There will be no degradation of local surface water quality due to the Tipple facilities. Runoff from the permit area is routed through a sediment pond prior to being released from the site. Monitoring of effluent has not identified any potential water quality concerns. Ground Water, Mine Site 1. Surface coal mining activities will affect the quantity of water recharging the Sudduth Coal aquifer. During mining, the actual recharge to the aquifer at the mine site will be minimal. After mining is completed and the pits are backfilled, a spoils aquifer will develop within the backfilled pit. This aquifer will provide constant recharge to the Sudduth Coal aquifer. Eventually, it is expected that water levels within undisturbed portions of the aquifer adjacent to the mine will return to baseline conditions. 2. The water quality of the Sudduth Coal seam aquifer will be affected by recharge received from the spoils aquifer. Water leaching through the spoils wigl increase the total dissolved solids, sodium, magnesium, and sulfate concentrations in the coal aquifer adjacent to the backfilled pits.