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-13- The quality is expected to improve with time as the spoils are leached, however, this timeframe has not been determined. No wells are completed in the Sudduth Coal seam within the Johnny Moore Syncline and there are no discharges from the seam which are put to beneficial use. Therefore Kerr's surface mining activities will not impact any water use derived from the Sudduth Coal seam aquifer. 3. Mining conducted by Kerr Coal on the west and eventually the east limb of the Johnny Moore Syncline will not affect the quality of the ground water in the alluvial valleys of Sudduth Draw, Bolton Draw or the Canadian River. The quantity and quality of water wells in the area will not be impacted by mining. The only adjudicated water well in the Johnny Moore Syncline area is the well owned by Kerr Coal Company in Section 35, T9N, R78W; Permit No. 020253-F. This well is completed in a perched sandstone aquifer, which is not hydraulically connected to the Sudduth Coal aquifer. 4. A spring discharging from the Sudduth Coal in Section 15, T9N, R78W, will eventually be mined through. This spring contributes approximately one gallon per minute of poor quality water to Sudduth Draw. The quality of this water is so poor that the loss of this flow to the Sudduth Draw Flow Regime is insignificant. 5. A spring located in Section 22, T9N, R78W may be affected by mining. The alluvial terrace deposits associated with this spring will be disturbed by surface mining operations. This spring feeds a stock watering pond. The permittee presents a discussion which supports the contention that the spring will not be affected by mining. If, however, the flow is disrupted, the permittee has committed to a water replacement plan, which will mitigate any impact to the spring. Ground Water Tipple Area The Kerr Tipple area is constructed on top of five feet of manmade fill placed over Illinois River alluvium. The alluvium consists of sand and gravel in a matrix of silt and clay, and is 25 feet thick in the area. Footings do not penetrate the alluvium, thereby isolating surface waters from the alluvium. The Illinois alluvium is fully saturated in the Tipple area which is evident by the swamp and standing water surrounding the area. This indicates that the Tipple area is a ground water discharge area. 1. Kerr is not withdrawing water from the alluvium, therefore, the Kerr Coal Company Tipple will not affect the quantity of water in the Illinois River alluvium. 2. The effects to ground water quality in the Illinois alluvium are minimized by surface diversions which will decrease the contact time of water with the coal stockpiles. The structure at the Tipple site are found on manmade fill and are not in direct contact with the alluvium. ~4inor local increases in total dissolved solids may be expected at the Tipple area however there will not be a significant impact to the Illinois River alluvium due to dilution.