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The groundwater leaving the Bourg site has experienced the effects predicted in the <br />probable hydrologic consequences. There is an increase in total dissolved solids (TDS) <br />and a shift from a sodium bicarbonate to a sodium sulfate water. This change has not <br />created impacts because there are no wells in the Mann Draw alluvium between the <br />Bourg Mine and the Canadian River and the contribution of Mann Draw water to the total <br />flow in the Canadian River alluvium is insignificant. <br />During mining, the Bourg Mine experienced groundwater flows of up to 3000 gpd from <br />an unknown source into the pit. No chemical analyses exist of these waters, but even in <br />the case that the flows have continued since backfilling and reclamation of the pit area, <br />the total volume of water coming frem the mine should not be increased sufficiently to <br />cause an impact downstream. <br />No spoils springs or seeps have been identified. <br />The conclusion is that there is no evidence of negative impacts to either groundwater or <br />surface water from the reclaimed Bourg Mine. <br />H. Cumulative Hydrologic Impacts Study <br />The Cumulative Hydrologic Impacts Study found in the Division Office and is titled <br />Cumulative Hydrologic Impacts of Coal Mining in the Norih Park. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the Division finds that Walden Coal Company's Bourg <br />Strip Mine has been designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance of <br />surface and groundwater outside the permit area. <br />IV. Topsoil <br />The Division has reviewed the information provided in the application on pages D-2, F-2, <br />Section M, and Appendix E. <br />During the initial permit review, several issues were raised concerning the location of <br />potentially unsuitable soil, handling of saline and sodic soil, mapping adequacy, and soil <br />chemical analysis. <br />The operator had stripped topsoil from all the areas to be disturbed when the mine was <br />originally constructed. The operator performed an analysis of stockpiled material in order <br />to determine the suitability of the material stripped from potentially unsuitable areas. <br />Results indicated the stockpiled material is suitable for use in the reclamation effort. <br />Material which was previously identified as saline and/or sodic had been separately <br />stockpiled was disposed of in the pit during backfilling operations. The applicant had <br />Bourg Strip Mine. C-81-021 2l August 4, 1998 <br />