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CNAPTERFOUR Enuironmenia~ consequences 4.3.4 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts The action altematives would result in short-term increased sedimentation during construction activities. If the BMPs to be implemented or the reclamation efforts are not successful, there ' could be long-term, adverse effects to surface water quality. Consumption of Colorado River water may have along-term effect on the endangered fish species. 4.4 GROUNDWATER ' 4.4.1 Introduction Impacts to groundwater can be sepazated into two topics: groundwater quantity and groundwater quality. Groundwater quantity relates to the amount of groundwater stored within the aquifer and available for withdrawal. Groundwater quality is related to the chemical composition of the water and its suitability for various uses. The Yankee Gulch Project, as proposed in the Mine Plan, would not utilize groundwater at the Piceance Site. Water for processing at this site would be transported via pipeline from the Parachute Site. This water would consist of return and recycled water, along with some make-up water. Make-up water would be acquired from the Colorado River through an existing water right and from alluvial groundwater wells in the Parachute Creek valley through an existing water right. Since these are existing water rights, impacts of the water withdrawal have been accounted for and will not be evaluated further in this section. Drinking water for the Piceance Site would be transported to the site by truck. ' An impact related to the availability of groundwater could occur as a result of subsidence. Subsidence could change the vertical (and possibly horizontal) hydraulic conductivity of the ' aquifer systems. This would allow for more rapid migration of fluids in the material. An actual increase in the production rates for any groundwater extraction wells in the azea could result. However, this would not increase or decrease the net quantity of water stored in the aquifer. Potential impacts to groundwater quality are generally related to the potential for degradation of the groundwater quality from the release of production fluids. Potentially, water quality impacts may occur through casing failures, excursion of production fluid from solution cavities, solution ' transportation pipeline rupture, spills or leaks at the plant, or from leakage of the evaporation ponds at the Piceance or Pazachute sites. 4.4.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts Direct impacts to the quantity of groundwater in the Project Area aze not anticipated as part of the No Action, Proposed Action, or Accelerated Development altematives. Since groundwater other than the pre-existing water right is not utilized, impacts on the availability of groundwater aze not anticipated. The potential for direct impacts to groundwater quality exists for both the Upper and Lower Aquifers. The potential for indirect impacts to the water quality of Piceance Creek and Parachute Creek alluvium also exists. Surtace Water and Surface Water Drainages 4-13