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an observation well 20 feet away. Transmissiviry values calculated for the Wolf <br />Creek range from 0.02 ftr per day (0.149 gallons per day per foot) for well 3WC, <br />to 0.001 ft~ per day (0.007 gallons per day per foot) in the two wells tested. Due to <br />the low water yield and transmissivit values, the storativiry value of the Wolf Creek <br />seam is estimated to be about 1 X 10"5. These values, both transmissiviry and <br />storativiry, would appear to be quite low. Aquifer test data, however, does <br />substantiate these values. Due to the highly lenticular and discontinuous nature of <br />the Mesaverde Group, it is thought that transmissiviry and storativiry will be aerially <br />variable. <br />The quality of Wolf Creek coal water is slightly acidic, very hard and saline. Based <br />on data presented, the water type changes from calcium/sulfate to <br />sodium bicarbonate down gradient. Well 3WC displayed the only case of elevated <br />iron levels within the Wolf Creek coal. Well 2WC located down gradient has the <br />lowest levels of TDS and sulfate, indicating that the sulfate is being precipitated <br />from the water as it moves down gradient. <br />Wolf Creek/Wadge Interburden <br />Seneca installed one well (3Ep to monitor the interburden within the permit area. <br />The interburden consists of 165 to 215 feet of interbedded sandstone, shale, siltstone <br />and coal, thus forming a relatively impermeable zone between the underlying Wolf. <br />Creek coal and the overlying Wadge coal. <br />Monitoring data for the well were presented in the permit application. Depth to <br />water measurements at this well were made for about 22 months. This data not only <br />shows very little seasonal fluctuation, but that the interburden at this site is under <br />unconfined or water table conditions. This is not an expected characteristic because <br />both the Wolf Creek coal and the Wadge coal, at least seasonally, exhibit artesian <br />head at this site. It is possible that this well was not properly completed, or that a <br />perched aquifer was intercepted by the well. Seneca Coal Company has <br />subsequently abandoned this well. Based on analysis of the Wolf Creek and Wadge <br />coal, it is expected that water within the interburden, as in the other units, will <br />exhibit confined conditions downdip of the Sage Creek anticlinal axis. <br />No water quality sampling has been done in the interburden. <br />Wadge Coal <br />The Wadge coal is the principal seam of interest at the Seneca II-W Mine. It is <br />typically 11 to 13 feet thick, except where split by partings. <br />The Wadge coal outcrops along the east side of the permit area. These outcrops and <br />perhaps a portion of the overburden east of the permit area, are thought to be the <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 21 November 3, 1999 <br />