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Ground Water Impacts No known data exists to document ground water impacts at this site. Spoil springs have not been documented in the past at this mine nor were any noted during the final inspection. Pre-law mining in the general area has likely influenced the ground water regime regarding quality and possibly quantity. Due to the small size, shallow mining depth, and nature of the disturbance caused by the New Pryor Mine, any further degradation by activities at New Pryor would be negligible. Surface Water Impacts Sediment ponds remain as permanent impoundments at this site. Any runoff from the site would be limited to snowmelt or rainfall runoff. Vegetation appears to be successful in stabilizing the soil profile assuming proper land management practices. Should any minor erosion occur, significant sediment treatment capacity remains in the two permanent ponds. Any dischazge of water would likely be treated to an equal or better condition as compared to runoff from surrounding and adjacent lands. Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance Given the lack of water in general at this site, the Division finds that the New Pryor Mine has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and has prevented material damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds that the New Pryor Mine has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect the approved post-mining land use in the permit area. Permanent Pond Demonstration Two sediment ponds remain at the site. With the exception of the faz southern end of the reclamation, all reclaimed azea drains to one of these permanent impoundments. Significant capacity remains for water and sediment retention in both ofthese ponds. The locations of the ponds will assist in keeping grazing animals dispersed over the revegetated azea. Pond A, along the eastern edge of the reclaimed azea, is very small and is no threat to downstream structures, people, or property. No instability or sign of damage was observed in the pond A embankment. Pond K, on the north side of the reclaimed area, is a larger structure that has the ability to detain storm runoffprior to dischazge through a principle spillway. An emergency spillway exists in tandem with this primary spillway. Evidence suggests that the spillways have functioned without incident over the revegetation liability period. However, in the event the embankment was compromised, conditions downstream were investigated. Review of available aerial photographs taken by the Division indicate in the event storm runoff was to overtop the pond K embankment, flow would enter Pryor Canyon, where it would flow to the east towazd the county road. If flows were somewhat larger than the channel itself, these flows would not impact any structures, homes, or jeopardize safety of adjacent landowners. Flows might temporarily flood around a 13