Laserfiche WebLink
CONTAINING RECORDS OF WATER DISCHARGED FROM THE MINE, CONSUMED <br />IN THE MINE AND IMPORTED FOR USE WITHIN THE MINE; AND A <br />DISCUSSION OF WATER BALANCE WITHIN THE MINE. THE INFLOW STUDY <br />IS TO BE DONE DURING THE SPRING OF EACH YEAR WITH THE REPORT <br />SUBMITTED BY J?TLY 1. <br />The language of'. Stipulation No.7, pertaining to collection and <br />reporting of hydrologic monitoring data, has been incorporated <br />into pages 2.05.6-52 through 2.05.6-54 of the permit <br />application, and is considered satisfied. <br />These long-term data records are necessary to identify any <br />pattern of water quality changes. EFCI's hydrologic <br />monitoring plan should be adequate to predict possible <br />hydrologic impacts and determine if a modification of surface <br />or underground mining activities, to minimize disturbances to <br />the prevailing hydrologic balance, is necessary (Rule <br />4.05.13.(1)(b)). <br />The Southfield Mine workings have the potential to deplete the <br />quantity of groundwater through mine-induced groundwater <br />flows. The mining operation will induce inflows by dewatering <br />the coal seam and the associated roof and floor strata as the <br />mine workings advance. In addition, overlying aquifers could <br />be dewatered through subsidence-related fractures. Locally <br />perched groundwater aquifers in strata above the workings may <br />be dewatered through subsidence cracks or fractures. Thus the <br />water will drain down through the fractures to the voids <br />created by the mine. <br />The greatest potential effect,on ground water is for perched <br />aquifers in the Vermejo and the overlying Raton Formations to <br />be dewatered by subsidence. Wells that use these perched <br />aquifers could experience drawdown effects. However, due to <br />the low hydraulic conductivity of the associated aquifers, the <br />fact that the aquifers in this area tend to be laterally <br />discontinuous and the effects of past surface and underground <br />mining, ground. water impacts (both magnitude and extent) are <br />difficult to predict. The operator is obligated to comply <br />with Rule 4.05.15 pertaining to water rights and replacement <br />if an owner is injured as the result of the operation. The <br />ground water monitoring plan has been designed to identify <br />ground water impacts before they extend to water supply wells. <br />These measures will ensure a better understanding of the <br />impacts to the ground water system and protection of water <br />resources in the future. <br />Southfield Mine Permit Renewal 03 <br />42 <br />