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• • 4 The approved Bowie No. 2 Mine permit indicates there are no water wells within 1000 feet of the projected mine subsidence zone. Wells in the vicinity of the mine are completed in bedrock aquifers that are stratigraphically below the coal being mined at Bowie No. 2 or in alluvium of the North Fork. The horizontal extent of mining proposed in PR-02 is the same as already approved in the mine permit. Thus, it is highly unlikely that mine subsidence would have any impact on those wells. The approved Bowie No. 2 Mine permit includes requirements for BRL to monitor flows and water quality of 17 springs within the permit area on a quarterly basis. Five stock ponds are monitored on a quarterly basis. Eleven ground water monitoring wells are also included in the hydrology monitoring plan. In addition to ground water monitoring, BRL monitors quantity and quality of water, up and downstream from the mine, in the Deer Trail Ditch, the Fire Mountain Canal, Terror Creek, Hubbard Creek, the North Fork of the Gunnison and several smaller drainages with intermittent flows. This monitoring plan was devised in conjunction with baseline collection studies and projections of probable hydrologic consequences of mining which are discussed in the permit. The monitoring plan is not being modified with PR-02 because the extent of mining will not change and no probable hydrologic impacts have been identified which are not already discussed in the approved permit. The Division feels that the approved monitoring plan is adequate to identify any regulated hydrologic impacts that may occur as a result of mining at the Bowie No. 2 Mine. In summary, the Division feels the BRL has addressed the issues which you presented in your letter adequately to comply with the applicable law and regulations. BRL and the Division are currently working to resolve the final details with the two remaining issues from the Division's June 1 S, 1999 preliminary adequacy review letter to the company. Those issues are the revision of the mine's water depletion estimate and clarification of ownership information in the permit. Once those issues are adequately resolved, we anticipate that a proposed decision will be issued by this office in a matter of days. When the Division issues a proposed decision on BRL's permit revisions, copies of that decision will be provided to all persons who commented on or objected to the application. Notice of the proposed decision will also be published in the Delta County Independent once a week for two consecutive weeks. If you object to the Division's proposed decision, you may request a hearing before the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. The regulatory provision for such a hearing reads,