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' Mr. Tom Wainwright • • October 16, 1981 - Seneca Coals, Ltd. p. 2 Re :' Stipulation 10, Fish Creek This impact is further discussed below and is not considered sig- nificant enough to ararrant changes in the mine and reclamation plan. 2. The proposed operations would not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in surface and underground water systems that supply those alluvial valley floors or portions of alluvial valley floors. (Rule 2.06.8(5).(a)(ii). As stated above, there is the slight potential for water quality degradation in the AVF as a result of the proposed mining operations. Information supplied by the applicant in the AVF study details. why the potential for this impact is very slight. Generally, since the mining operations are located within a portion of the Fish Creek drainage (1.16% of the drainage area will be dis- turbed), there is the potential for spoils water containing ele- vated levels of dissolved solids to enter the Fish Creek AVF. The mechanism for transport of this degraded water would probably be through the alluvial aquifer of the unnamed tributary to Fish Creek shown on Exhibit 7-16 of the AVF study. Water quality modeling done by the applicant (AVF study, page 6) concludes that the average TDS of Fish Creek could increase by 2% as a result of mining operations. Resultant water quality would still be well within ac- ceptable levels for irrigation purposes. 3. Surface coal mining and reclamation operations would be conducted to preserve, throughout the mining and reclamation process, the es- sential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. (Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). The AVF itself would not be physically disturbed by mining. The potential for water quality degradation, as discussed above, is not considered substantial enough to warrant changes in the mine and reclamation plan. Rather, the potential impact may be addressed in the monitoring plan, to ensure that the essential hydrologic functions are maintained. Monitoring Plan--Findings The applicant proposes to monitor water quality in the vicinity of Fish Creek AVF as follows: 1. The water quality of discharges from the sediment pond located in the unnamed tributary to Fish Creek will be monitored. 2. The water quantity and quality of the alluvial aquifer of the un- named tributary to Fish Creek will be monitored ina well located near where the drainage leaves the permit area. 3. The water quality and quantity of discharges on the southernmost tributary of Fish Creek directly downstream from mining (SW-S2). The monitoring plan provided by the applicant will meet the objectives of Section 4.25.5 of the Colorado Permanent Regulatory Program.