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The applicant has committed to installing and monitoring an additional <br />well to be located down gradient of the proposed central facilities area <br />slurry pond as a means to monitor potential impacts on the East Salt <br />Creek AVF. Additional structures associated with the central facilities <br />area which may have an effect on the alluvial ground water of East Salt <br />Creek are the proposed wash plant/product pile, the coal stockpile area, <br />and the loadout area. Existing monitoring wells (GW-2, GW-3, and GW-4) <br />will be maintained and monitored by the applicant to determine the <br />effects of the remaining structures on the East Salt Creek alluvial <br />ground water. <br />Narrow bands of alluvial-colluvial material extend about one mile up <br />Munger Canyon from the confluence with East Salt Creek. Monitoring well <br />GW-4, which is 40 feet deep and is located at the lower part of Munger <br />Canyon, was dry in April 1961 during the period of the year of snowmelt <br />and highest precipitation. Test pits TP-1, TP-2 and TP-3, dug to a depth <br />of ten feet in the Munger Creek alluvium, had no traces of mottling and <br />only a very slight increase in moisture. Additionaly, plant species <br />present on the alluvium indicates the absence of natural subirrigation in <br />the Munger Creek alluvium. <br />The applicant has installed and monitored a ground water well in the <br />Munger Creek alluvium downslope of the underground waste rock pile. <br />No wells or springs have been identified within three miles of the mine. <br />Thus, the Munger Canyon mining operation will not effect the quantity or <br />quality of any ground water which is put to beneficial use off site. <br />With satisfactory compliance with the above stipulations, the operation <br />is in compliance with the requirements of this section, and the Division <br />makes the following findings: <br />A. Water Quality Standards and Effluent Limitations <br />The Division proposes to grant a small area exemption from use of <br />sediment ponds due to the limited size of the area and due to the <br />fact that ponds and treatment facilities are not necessary for <br />the drainage to meet the effluent limitations of Rule 4.05.2 and <br />applicable State and Federal water quality standards for <br />receiving streams and also due to the fact that no mixing of <br />surface drainage with a discharge from underground workings will <br />occur. The small area to be exempted is located at the portal <br />mine bench. A sediment pond has been approved at such a time <br />that the bench area is enlarged (4.05.2(3)(b)(i>>. <br />B. Stream Channel Diversions <br />The Division proposes to approve a permanent diversion of an <br />ephemeral drainage at the reclaimed mine bench area. This <br />diversion is consistent with applicable state law, will not <br />diminish downstream water rights and meets the requirements of <br />Rule 4.05.4 (4.05.4(4)). <br />_27_ <br />