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-39- Sufficient information is available to qualitatively project the potential cumulative ground water impacts in the general area of the Foidel Creek Mine upon several different aquifers while taking local structure into account. The Twentymile sandstone aquifer, Middle Coal Group aquifer, and the various alluvial aquifers crossing the general area may be cumulatively affected by mining. Mining would not affect the Trout Creek or the Tow Creek sandstones. Twentymile Sandstone Ground water in the Twentymile sandstone aquifer may be cumulatively impacted by spoil waters from the Seneca II Mine and the reclaimed Energy No. 2 Mine. The portion of the Seneca II Mine within the Fish Creek drainage is geographically located above the outcrops of the Twentymile sandstone. Discharges of spoil water from the mine may recharge this aquifer. The amount of spoil water discharge is expected to be insignificant, so impacts to ground water quality will be minimal. Energy t4ine No. 2 is located in strata above the Twentymile sandstone. Through deep percolation, spoil waters from the Energy No. 2 Mine recharge the Twentymile sandstone and impact water quality. There is sufficient distance between the discharge point and the mine and aquifer thickness to provide sufficient dilution. One well located in the SW 1/4, SE 1/4 of Section 22, TSN, R86W, may be completed in this aquifer. However, this well is located two miles away from the mine and, therefore, would not be impacted. The other mines in the Twentymile Park Basin are not expected to impact the quality and quantity of ground water in the Twentymile sandstone. The other mines are within the Middle Coal Group, which is separated from the Twentymile sandstone by 600 to 700 feet of shale. Because of this separation, they are not expected to affect the Twentymile sandstone. Middle Coal Group The Edna, Seneca II (Fish Creek portion), and the Energy Mines No. 1 and No. 3, Eckman Park, Middle Creek, and Foidel Creek Mines will all impact the quality and quantity of ground water within the Middle Coal Group of the Mesaverde Group. All of these mines, except for the Middle Creek Mine, are located in the recharge zones of these aquifers. During mining, the quantity of grountl water in the Middle Coal Group will be depleted by both surface and underground mines. Surface mines in the general area diminish the quantities of ground water recharge by pumping ground water accumulatiny within the pit to surface stream, or by consuming ground water in the mine's operation. Underground coal mines in the general area will diminish the quantities of ground water stored within the aquifers by dewatering these aquifers as mining progresses down-dip (i.e., the mines will act as large water wells). Surface coal