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-26- ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ It is important to note that the mining which would generate the ma,)or hydrologic impacts from the Eagle No. 5 Mine has already occurred. There will be no additional mining beneath the level of the stream/alluvial systems of the Yampa and Williams fork Rivers. The mine is currently progressing updip away from the Yampa and Williams Fork stream/alluvial systems in the Big Bottom Synclinal Basin and above the level of the stream/alluvial systems of the Yampa and Williams Fork Rivers. Mining in the 2 West area of the Eagle No. 5 Mine will occur in the updip portion of the Round Bottom Synciinal Basin. Mining in the 2 West area will begin along the axis of the Williams Fork Anticline and progress downdip towards the axis of the Round Bottom Syncline. The limited amount of mine workings {approximately 90 acres) in the Round Bottom Synclinal Basin are anticipated to have negligible impacts on the quantity and quality of ground water in the basin and of the stream/alluvial waters in the Yampa River system. Some depletions from the rock aquifers and stream/alluvial systems are expected but, as discussed below, these depletions are not considered significant. Mine water discharge is expected to affect surface water quality, but not to the extent that water use would be limited. Assuming the portals are properly sealed, the long term water quality impacts to surface waters will be minimal. The monitoring plan contained in the permit application and the stipulated monitoring in this permit document have been designed to verify the applicant's projected hydrologic impacts of mining. Tn contrast to the Eagle No. 5 Mine, there is a higher potential for water quality and quantity impacts to the hydrologic regime as a result of mining in the Eagle No. 9 Mine. This mine is in the development stage, and Empire Energy Corporation has proposed partial extraction beneath the Yampa River/Big Bottom stream/alluvial system. The applicant has projected stream depletions resulting from mining operations in the Eagle No. 9 Mine. Flow from the stream/alluvial system could reach the mine through several routes. The monitoring plan contained within the permit application and stipulated in this permit findings document has been designed to verify the applicant's projection of hydrologic impacts of mining in the Eagle No. 9 Mine. Ground Water Empire Energy Corporation has provided a discussion of the probable hydrologic consequences of the Eagle Mines No. 5 and No. 9 to the ground water system. The pro3ected impacts are as follows: lj Depletion of aquifers overlying and underlying the "F" and "P" coal seams and depletion of the stream/alluvial systems of the Yampa River and the Williams Fork River, 2) Depletion, through use, of water in the Trout Creek and Twentymile sandstones, and 3) Degradation of ground and surface water quality through mine water discharges.