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-26- <br />2) The Division assumed that the water in the abandoned Caldirola Mine <br />workings would be representative of water quality from mined areas of <br />the Twin Pines No. 2 t4ine (the highest recorded TDS in the adjacent <br />area) and data from the Dorchester No. 1 t4ine sump are assumed to be <br />representative of water quality from the mined areas of the Dorchester <br />No.l Mine. <br />3) The Division assumed that data from Twin Pines No. 2 monitoring <br />well, TP-MW-1, and Dorchester's monitoring well, MW-10, are <br />representative of dater quality in the undisturbed portions of the <br />Vennejo Formation. <br />s <br />Total Dissooved Solid. Concentration <br />Unmined portions of the Vernejo Formation - 829 mg/1 <br />t+lined area within Twin Pines permit area - 1,019 mg/1 <br />Mined area within Dorchester permit area - 1,660 mg/1 <br />TDS in aquifer = <br />.004 (1,019) mg/1) + .03 (1660)mg/1) + .966 (829 mg/1) = 909 mg/1 <br />Net increase in TDS = 909 mg/1 - 829 mg/1 = 80 mg/1 <br />Mixing of the ground water from the mined areas of the Twin Pines No. 2 Mine <br />and the Dorchester No. 1 Mine with ground water in the Vermejo Formation <br />aquifer throughout the remaining area of the ground water basin would result <br />in an increase in dissolved solids of approximately 80 mg/1. (See <br />calculations above). This water quality degradation may have localized <br />effects to water users near the mine site. Over time, the concentration of <br />total dissolved solids will be diluted as the pollution plume spreads. This <br />impact to the total ground water quality in the basin is considered to be <br />negligible. <br />B. Impacts on Surface Waters <br />The Division, based on review of the permit applications for the mining <br />operations considered in this assessment, has identified several possible <br />effects of mining on surface water quality and quantity in the Canon City Coal <br />Field. Surface water quality could be affected by: 1) Erosion and subsequent <br />increased sediment loads to streams; 2) Discharge of mine water to receiviny <br />streams; 3) Seepage water through waste rock or coal refuse material; or 4) <br />Depletion of stream flow via subsidence-induced infiltrations. The potential <br />impact to surface waters is expected to be negligible as discussed below. <br />