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' -23- Future mining within the life-of-mine area may result in significant impacts to both the quality and quantity of ground and surface waters. Given the empirical data on mine inflows in the existing pit, any mining below the level of Stollsteimer Creek. and its alluvium will result in I) a depletion of flow in Stollsteimer Creek upgradient of the pit during mining, 2) a depletion of ground water in alluvial and mck aquifers upgradient of the pit during mining, and 3) a degradation of water quality of surface and ground water downgradient of the pit following mining. The Barren Ridge on the western permit boundary and federal lands to the west of the Life-of-mine area are two such areas which if mined below Stollsteimer Creek, will produce the aforementioned impacts. The current mine and future mining to the west below the level of Stollsteimer Creek may produce significant cumulative hydrologic impacts. The cumulative impacts could impair the productivity of alluvial valley floors, on- and off-site. Mining under this permit will be confined to the existing pit and the Barren Ridge area above the level of Stollsteimer Creek. Therefore the cumulative impacts will be minimized on- and off-site. A11 runoff from the area is routed through sediment control structures. Effluent from the sediment ponds will be monitored to ensure compliance with effluent limitations in the event of a discharge. Sediment ponds and associated diversion ditches will remain in place during reclamation operations. These structures will not be removed until such time that suspended solid contribution from the site does not exceed levels that occur in adjacent undisturbed areas. During mining the operation will not impound any water other than the small amount which would be generated as runoff from a precipitation event and pit inflows. Water will be returned to the surface water system. Consequently, downstream users should not be adversely affected. Additionally, the applicant will continue to monitor surface and ground water For both quantity and quality to be able to identify any adverse trends that have not been identified by the previous twelve months monitoring data. The proposed existing operation has been found to be designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. The proposed existing operation is in compliance. r. Climatological Information and Air Resources -Rules 2.04.8, 2.05.4(h), 2.05.6(1), and 4.16 Baseline information presented in Section 2.04.8 (Volume I) and an adequate air quality analysis in Section 2.05.6 (Volume I) of the application were reviewed for compliance by the Division. Rdditionally, the applicant has applied for an amendment to their present emission permit to reflect increased production. The applicant has supplied a1Z of the information required by regulation. Mitigation measures employed by Chimney Rock Coal consist of watering the roads on a frequent basis to suppress fugitive dust. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section.