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The most continuous sandstone aquifers of any significance in the region are the Rollins Sandstone and the massive sandstone separating the Upper and Lower Coal Members of the Mesa Verde Formation. However, the latter massive sandstone produces very little water, as evidenced by the dryness of the Bear Mine and the lack of springs associated with this unit. This unit lies 270 feet below the F coal seam which is to be mined. Coal seams within the Mesa Verde Formation also act as continuous aquifers. The Barren Member of the Mesa Verde Formation contains lenticular channel sandstones, some of which may transmit ground water flows locally. Local ground water aquifers will be recharged along outcrops and subcrops beneath the alluvium of streams to the southwest of the permit area within the Minnesota Creek Basin. However, due to the steepness of topography in the outcrop areas, (i.e. sandstones are ledge formers), and narrowness of the stream valleys, these local aquifers receive little recharge. Some recharge to the continuous units and much of the recharge to the more discontinuous, lenticular units will come directly from the percolation of snowmelt and precipitation downward through sandstone lens and along fractures. This is evident in the sharp seasonal variations in spring discharge. Pump tests conducted by WECC indicate the transmissivity of the F-Seam to be 16.68 g/d/ft and that of the Barren Member to be 2.46 g/d/ft. Locally, water flow through fractures probably occurs more rapidly, as suggested by the seasonal fluctuation in discharge rates of some springs in the mine plan area. Mine inflow studies conducted as recently as 1985 have shown that the primary source of inflows are from factures in areas of low overburden. Since the geologic strata dips to the northeast, one would expect the ground water to flow in the same direction. The monitoring wells generally support this but there are exceptions. Some wells are dry indicating no ground water flow and other wells that are closely spaced but completed at different portions of the Barren Member have water levels that vary greatly. This may indicate the discontinuity of the water bearing strata. Generally, springs in the permit area seem to act independently of the bedrock water leasing zones and appear to be surface features related to weathered and fractured bedrock. Flow from these springs tend to be highly ephemerial and only discharge during spring snow melt. These springs recharge and discharge in relatively small areas. Discharge of ground water occurs through numerous seeps and springs. See Spring Location Map, Exhibit 2.8.1.U. Over 100 springs are located in the life of mine area. Thirty-three of the most significant springs in the permit and adjacent area are tabulated on Table 2.8.1.V. Additional springs are identified on Table 2.8.1.0. flows from these springs range up to 90 gpm during spring runoff, however, most observed flows are significantly less as depicted on Table 2.8.1.X. 30