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<br />8. ?robablz Hvdroloaic Consequences o. ~4ining <br />1. Introduction <br />Mining in the Eckman Park t9ine Complex has permanently altered the hydrology <br />of the mine area with respect to ground and surface water quality. No <br />alteration of the hydrologic character of the Trout Creek or Twentymile <br />Sandstones has occurred and none is expected. Mining in Eckman Park and Mine <br />1 has removed parts of the Wadge coal while mining in Mine 2 has resulted in <br />removal of part of the Fish Creek coal seam. Specific alterations of the <br />Eckman Park Complex hydrologic system include: <br />1. Removal of parts of the Fish Creek overburden aquifer at Mine No. 2 and <br />parts of the Wadge overburden aquifer at Mine No, 1 and Eckman Park. <br />2, Resaturation of backfilled spoil material to the elevation of the lowest <br />point of the downdip mine highwall; <br />3. Development of recharge to the Wadge aquifer along the downdip mine <br />highwall; <br />4. Development of spoils springs and seeps at the down slope edge of the <br />spoils material; <br />5, Degradation of ground water quality in the bedrock and spoils aquifers; <br />6, Degradation of surface-water quality due to spoils spring contributions <br />to surface-water flows; <br />7. Increased runoff and erosion within the proposed permit area during the <br />operation phase; <br />8. Increased sediment load in drainages within the proposed permit area <br />during operations; <br />9. Temporary changes in the flow regime of Foidel Creek; <br />10. Increased salt loading in streams draining the proposed permit area; and, <br />11. A moderate change in the ion balance of surface water drainage in the <br />permit and adjacent area. <br />The first five points will be discussed in the "Ground Water" section <br />immediately following. The remaining points will be addressed in the <br />"Surface Water" section, <br />2. Ground Water <br />Mining in the Eckman Park Mine complex has disturbed strata overlying the <br />Wadge coal in Mine 1 and Eckman Park and the disturbance continues in Eckman <br />Park. Mining of coal in Mine 2 has disturbed strata overlying the Fish Creek <br />coal seam. The disturbed strata in both areas have been replaced with <br />37 <br />