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<br />_l q_ <br />As mentioned above, the Pictured Cliffs sandstone is a regional bedrock aquifer <br />in the area. The lowest coal seam to be removed is the C seam, which lies <br />stratiyraphicaliy some 90-50 feet above the Pictured Cliffs sandstone. The <br />Pictured Cliffs sandstone is composed of a 200 to 250 foot massive sandstone. <br />The strata between the C coal seam and the Pictured Cliffs sandstone is <br />impermeable. Impacts of the mining operation on this aquifer will be minimal, <br />given the thickness of the separating strata, the dip of the strata, and the <br />present mine plan. <br />Aquifer tests were performed on the Lower Fruitland Formation in the Barren <br />Ridge area. These strata have a transmissiv~ty of 210 gal ions per day per <br />foot (gpd/f t) and a storativity of 1.3 x 10 These aquifer values indicate <br />that the Lower Fruitland Formation will support only limited ground water use <br />and ground water movement. <br />Quality of ground water found in these limited aquifers are marginal for use as <br />a domestic water supply. Sampling of these aquifers revealed elevated levels <br />of sodium, calcium, and sulfate. Overburden and coal analysis indicate that <br />elevated levels of these parameters should be expected in any ground water <br />encrountered in this zone. <br />The alluvium associated with Stollsteimer Creek contains a water i:able aquifer <br />which is recharged by the creek and by flood irrigation practices. Aquifer <br />tests conducted for Chimney Rock Coal Company by Piteau and Associates estimate <br />the transmissivity of the alluvium to be approximately 100,000 gpd/ft. The <br />alluvium ranges from 0 to just over 90 feet in thickness. This aquifer is <br />confined by the steep rock slopes of the Stollsteimer stream valley. The alluvial <br />valley floor is both flood and subirrigated and used as irrigated pasture Land <br />by the land owner, h1e1 Martinez. <br />The alluvial ground water recharges t'~e rock strata in the arm. The spoils, <br />in the southwest section of ttte mine supports continuously flowing ground <br />water seeps. These areas of the mine are below the level of Stollsteimer <br />Creek and the water table of the Stollsteimer Creek alluvium. The total inflow <br />to the pit was estimated to be 200 gallons per minute during a timed pumping <br />of the pit sump. Pi~eau and Associates using pumping test values for the <br />effected strata and coals calculated a theoretical inflow of 10acm for the same <br />pit. <br />The applicant :/ill not mine through this alluvial aquifer, although same surface <br />facilities are located on the alluvium. In light of this, the operator has <br />requested that the Division reduce their ground water monitoring requirements. <br />The following stipulation will become Chimney Rocks' ground water monitoring <br />requirements upon permit issuance: <br />