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• <br />_11_ <br />B. Ground Water <br />The ground water information within the permit application is found on <br />pages 3-16, 3-26 to 3-62, 3-87 to 3-90, 4-103 to 4-127, and 4-132 to <br />4-142; in Appendices 3-D, 3-J, 3-K, 3-L, and 3-R. <br />A description of ground water occurrence and mining impacts on ground <br />water within the permit and general areas can be found in Section VIII, <br />"Probable Hydrologic Consequences of Mining and Cumulative Hydrologic <br />Impacts Study", of this Findings Document. <br />The monitoring plan calls for monthly monitoring of water levels in the <br />alluvial wells along North Thompson Creek, Middle Thompson Creek, and the <br />Roaring fork River. Water levels to the bedrock aquifers of the Upper <br />Sandstone, Mancos Shale, and Paonta Member are also being monitored. <br />Water quality parameters will also be measured on these wells for <br />selected parameters on a monthly and quarterly basis. <br />To monitor the effects of the underground coal mines on the quantity of <br />ground water, the following monitoring stipulations are required to find <br />the applicant to compliance: <br />Stipulation No. 1 <br />WITHIN ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DAYS OF PERMIT ISSUANCE, <br />SNOWMASS COAL COMPANY SHALL INSTALL ADDITIONAI MONITORING WELLS TO <br />MONITOR THE UPPER SANDSTONE OF THE WILLIAMS FORK FORMATION. THESE <br />MONITORING WELLS MAY BE DRILLED WITHIN THE N0. 3 MINE TO REDUCE <br />DRILLING COSTS. ALL MONITORING WELLS SHALL BE: 1) PROPERLY <br />SCREENED WITHIN THE ENTIRE SANDSTONE UNIT, AND 2) PROPERLY SEALED <br />AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM TO PREVENT THEIR DESTRUCTION. THE SPACING Of <br />THE ADDITIONAL MONITORING WELLS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIVISION <br />FOR APPROVAL 60 DAYS FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THIS PERMIT. <br />Both the surface and ground water description, baseline characteristics, <br />and monitoring plans satisfy the requirements of this section. The <br />proposed operation is in compliance. <br />VI. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 <br />Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 provide for the identification of alluvial valley <br />floors that are or could be suitable for agricultural use. These rules, <br />in part, are designed to preserve and protect these areas. <br />An Important point to be considered with regard to this operation is the <br />fact that the operation (mine and loadout) was constructed prior to the <br />enactment of the alluvial valley floor regulations for underground coal <br />mines. Prior to the Colorado Permanent Regulatory Program, the alluvial <br />valley floor regulations did not apply to underground coal mines or <br />associated loadouts. <br /> <br />