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-14- ' ~-~ u ~Gn~ ~~ VIII. Probable Hydrologic Consequences and Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study - Rules 2.05.6(3) and 2.07.6(2)(c) Rule 2.07.6(2)(c) requires the Division to make an assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in the general area on the hydrologic balance and to make a finding that the operations proposed in the permit application have been designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the proposed permit area. This section is divided into the following sub-sections; A) Introduction and Background of the General Area; B) Definition of Anticipated Mining in the General Area; C) Description of the Existing Environment; D) Probable Hydrologic Consequences; E) Hydrologic Monitoring; F) Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study; and G) Summary and Findings. This Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study (CRIB) assesses the projected cumulative hydrologic impacts of all anticipated coal mining operations in the general area of the Eagle No. 5 and No. 9 Mines. Anticipated mining is defined as the proposed life of mine areas for the existing mines and those for which complete permit applications have been submitted to the Division. A. Introduction and Background for the General Area The Empire Energy Eagle No. 5 and No. 9 Mines fall within the general area examined in a Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study (CRIB) prepared in January, 1982, by Bishop, et al (1982). This CHIS considered the surface water impacts of Coal mining on the Yampa River above the U.S. Geological Survey gaging station at Maybell, Colorado. The 1982 Study included all coal mining anticipated at that time. Since then, the Foidel Creek underground mine on Foidel Creek near Steamboat Springs, has been permitted, and the Sugarloaf surface mine has been proposed near Lay, Colorado. These mines are considered "anticipated mining" today, therefore, the projections made in the 1982 Study have been revised in this findings document to include these additional mining operations. In addition, the projected hydrologic effects of the Eagle No. 5 and No. 9 Mines have been revised to reflect the mine plan as described 1n the current updated application. The probable hydrologic consequences of most of the individual mines in the general area are summarized in the 1982 Study. The probable hydrologic consequences of the Eagle No. 5 and No. 9 Mines are discussed in sub-section D of this section of this findings document. The probable hydrologic consequences of the Foidel Creek Mine and the proposed Sugarloaf Mine are discussed in sub-section F of this section of this findings document. Definition of Anticipated Mining in the General Area The surface water and ground water general areas for this CHIS do not coincide (Figure 2). The surface water general area includes all of the Yampa River watershed above the U.S.G.S. gaging station at Maybell. This incorporates the general areas for the previous Yampa River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Studies. The ground water general area is smaller because of structural limitations discussed below.