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• One set of entries has encountered the fault on the south side of the graben. This fault produced water, but did not interfere with mining operations. The predicted ground water zone of saturation will be encountered again during this permit term. In order to monitor the effect of the operation on ground water resources and to assist in the prediction of hydrologic impacts of future permit terms, a condition for ground water monitoring was required by Colorado MLRD. Alluvial Valley Floors An alluvial ground water aquifer has been identified along East Salt Creek. Monitoring wells established in the alluvium indicated that alluvial water levels fluctuate seasonally in response to water flow in East Salt Creek. Data collected by the applicant from the Salt Creek alluvial aquifer thus far indicates a carbonate-sulfate water type, similar to the chemistry of the surface water in this area. No significant adverse effects on ground water are anticipated by this operation, but a condition for ground water monitoring was required by Colorado MLRD to confirm this conclusion. An area of irrigated cropland is located on the East Salt Creek alluvial valley floor approximately 1/2 mile downstream of McClave Carron. Irrigation occurs through a series of diversion ditches carrying the surface flow to various parts of the field. The essential hydrologic functions for this portion of the alluvial floors are related to surface flow and not to subirrigation and other ground water flows. • Salt Creek Mining Company is securing annual production data from the rancher downstream of this operation. This data is to be considered as secondary to the water monitoring program for determining effects of mining upon farm production because fluctuations in annual production can also result from factors which are independent of the mining operation. Colorado MLRD found that the proposed surface coal mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on an alluvial valley floor. Soils No topsoil was stockpiled during construction of the mine facilities area prior to requirements for topsoil protection; however, topsoil has been stripped from the area of the sediment pond. Analyses indicated that these soils are suitable for use in reclamation of the mine. The applicant stripped the Nihill Loam soil to a depth of 12 inches and the Rivra Variant to a depth of 18 inches. This yielded a volume of 900 BCY of topsoil from the disturbed area. Part of this topsoil will be respread over one acre of the mine bench and the rest will be spread over the disturbed area of the sediment pond. These soils will be respread at a minimum depth of 4 inches. • -5-