REV97244 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

b. Due to the extremely limited acreage of proposed disturbance within the Sage Creek watershed, and the fact that regional ground water flow is to the west, the potential for material damage to the quality or quantity of water supplied to the AVF is negligible. No measurable impacts to the quantity or quality of water supplying the Sage Creek AVF are projected. c. Background salinity levels in the lower segment of Dry Creek from the Yampa River upstream to Section 28, Township 6 North, Range 88 West are high enough that no degradation of water quality is anticipated due to mining. Agricultural areas potentially impacted by increased salinity levels are flood irrigated grass and alfalfa haylands in Section 28, T6N, R88W. With respect to the flood irrigated fields in Section 28, the application indicates and includes detailed mapping and aerial photographs which show that the subject fields are irrigated by water from J.C. Temple Reservoir #1, not from Dry Creek. Thus, water supplying the irrigated fields would not be affected by the mining operation. There is no projected diminution of water quantity supplied to the Dry Creek AVF. 3) Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process (4.24.2). An environmental monitoring system as described in Tab 15 of the permit application has been installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and will continue until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3 (4.24.4). Plans and commitments contained in Tabs 15 through 18, and Tab 22, adequately address those measures which will be taken to monitor potential impacts and insure that the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the permit area are reestablished afrer mining and that the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area are preserved during and afrer mining. If future monitoring of affected surface and ground waters indicates trends which necessitate alteration of the projections upon which these AVF findings are based, the findings will be reevaluated and modified as appropriate. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. Seneca II-W Findings Document 65 June 12, 2006 Permit Renewal No. 5