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<br />_23_ <br />The A seam is the first coal seam encountered which is considered economically <br />important. It is generally 9 to S feet thick with intermittent shale Partings. <br />The B seam is Located approximately 6 to 12 feet below the A seam, with an <br />average thickness of Z1 feet. The C seam is encountered 20 to 30 feet below <br />the B seam, and is approximately 9 feet thick. <br />Overlying the coal-bearing Fruitland Formation are terrace gravels and the <br />Kirtland Shale. The Kirtland Shale is composed of gray shales that contain <br />thin layers of interbedded siltstone and sandstone. <br />The Fruitland Formation is composed of interbedded sandstone, siltstone, shale, <br />carbonaceous sandstone and siltstone, as well as the above-mentioned coal seams. <br />The coal seams appear to be the most continuous stratigraphic units found within <br />the Frvitlard Formation. The coal-bearing zone is approximately 82 feet thick. <br />Underlying the coal-bearing Fruitland Formation is the Pictured Cliffs Sandstone. <br />This formation is composed of white to yellowish-gray massive sandstone ranging <br />in t!u ckness between 200 and 250 feet. The lower units of the Pictured Cliffs <br />Sandstone contain increasing amounts of shales. <br />The operator has performed chemical analyses on samples of the overburden, <br />interburden and mal strata. Based on these analyses, the Division has <br />determined that there should be no problem with acid- or toxic-forming materials <br />at the site. The overburden however may effect the salinity and alkalinity of <br />surface and ground water and soils. Details of the chemical characteristics <br />of the overburden, interburden, and coal, as well as greater detail on the geology <br />of the area, can be found in Sections 2.04.5 and 2.04.6 in Volume I of the permit <br />application. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance. <br />V. Ground Water Rydrology - Rules 2.04.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.6(3), and 9.05 <br />Information pertaining to ground water hydrology can be found in Section 2.04, <br />Volume I of the permit application, Permit Revision dated tday 24, 1982, <br />Preliminary Aquifer Analysis and Estimation of Gtovnd Water Inflow to Two Open <br />Pits by Piteau and Associates, and Responses to Adequacy 4uestions dated <br />September 24, 1932. <br />The applicant has submitted both quantity and quality data collected over a <br />twelve-month period. This information was gathered from six monitoring wells <br />located hydrologically above, below and within the proposed permit area. <br />Monitoring wells were sampled monthly for the required field parameters <br />(pH, temperature, conductivity, alkalinity) and ouarterIy for the parameters <br />outlined in the Division's preliminary guideline for water quality. <br />For the purposes of this discussion, ground water will be discussed as occurring <br />in three distinct systems: <br />1. A regional bedrock aquifer associated crith the Pictured Cliffs <br />sandstone located stratigraphically below the Lowest coal seam to <br />be mined; <br />2. A limited aquifer associated crith the coals and sandstones of the <br />overburden; and <br />3. An alluvial aquifer associated with Stollsteimer Creek. <br />