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Three coal seams have been identified in the Upper Coal (Bowie) member: the D-Seam (Oliver), E- <br />Seam (Hawk's Nest), and the F-Seam. The D-Seam occurs directly above the massive sandstone of <br />the Lower Coal Beazing member and contains three zones. This seam was mined at the Bowie No. <br />1 Mine and is currently being mined at the Bowie No. 2 Mine. The E-Seam occurs about 130 feet <br />above the D-Seam and contains two coal zones. This seam was mined at the Hawk's Nest and Blue <br />Ribbon Mines. The E-Seam may be mined at the West Elk Mine in the future. The F-Seam contains <br />two coal zones and is only mined at the West Elk Mine. Coal seams ofthe F horizon do not exist, in <br />thicknesses sufficient for mining, to the north of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />The topography of the permit azea is mountainous. The area has been dissected by streams resulting <br />in local relief in excess of 6,000 feet. The elevation at the Bear No. 3 Mine facilities azea is <br />approximately 6,000 feet, and the elevation at the top of Mt. Gunnison is in excess of 12,000 feet. <br />Numerous landslides aze present on the permit azea and throughout the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River drainage. The landslides aze caused by surficial failure of colluvial material or rotational <br />failure of incompetent bedrock on over steepened slopes. <br />The geologic structure of the azea lacks any prominent folding or faulting. The strata dip to the <br />north-northeast at three to five degrees. Dips increase to the south as igneous intrusives influence the <br />structure. <br />A detailed geological description of the permit area is also given in the Probable Hydrologic <br />Consequences section of this document and Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study for the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison River. <br />Hydrologic Balance -Rules 2.04.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.3, 2.05.6(3) and 4.05 <br />Groundwater - <br />Groundwater resource information for the Bear No. 3 Mine is presented in Sections 2.04.7 and 4.05 <br />of the Beaz No. 3 permit application. Additional groundwater information is presented on Map 10 <br />(Mine Facilities Map) of the Beaz No. 3 permit application. <br />Several potential aquifers exist in, and adjacent to, the permit azea, including: (1) Alluvial and <br />alluvial terrace deposits associated with the North Fork of the Gunnison River and Sylvester Gulch; <br />(2) colluvial deposits; (3) Lenticular, discontinuous sandstones and coals; and (4) The Rollins <br />Sandstone. The most significant occurrence of groundwater in the general azea is the alluvial aquifer <br />adjacent to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Several domestic wells aze located along the river <br />in the alluvial material. Local bedrock groundwater movement in the discontinuous lenticulaz <br />sandstones above the Rollins Sandstone is controlled by stratigraphy, faults and fractures. <br />Groundwater discharge occurs through numerous seeps and springs in the area. The spring flows <br />aze generally intermittent and emanate from localized, lenticular sandstones above the F-Seam ofthe <br />Upper Coal Member. Small seasonal springs emanate from unconsolidated colluvial material. <br />These springs flow in response to seasonal precipitation. <br />7 <br />