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Stream Buffer Zones <br />The Division proposes to approve surface or underground mining <br />activities within 100 feet of Middle Creek, which is a stream <br />with a biological community below its confluence with <br />Foidel Creek. The variance is granted for the disturbance <br />located at the shop area. This decision is based on a finding <br />that the original stream channel will not be disturbed, water <br />quality and quantity shall not be adversely affected, and <br />appropriate riparian vegetation will be reestablished. The <br />area between the shop perimeter and Middle Creek will be posted <br />appropriately. (4.05.18(111. <br />Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br />Under Rule 2.07.6(21(c), the Division is required to make an <br />assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all <br />anticipated coal mining in the general area, on the hydrologic <br />balance and to .make a finding, fas discussed in Section A of <br />this document), that the operations proposed in the permit <br />application have been designed to prevent material damage to <br />the hydrologic balance outside of the proposed permit area. <br />This section of the findings document is divided into the <br />following four major subsections: Definition of Anticipated <br />Mining in the General Area; Description of the Hydrologic <br />Environment; Probable Hydrologic Consequences of the <br />Energy Mine No. 3; and, Summary and Findings. A separate <br />Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study is available for review at <br />the Mined Land Reclamation Division Office. <br />2. Definition of Anticipated Mining in the General Area <br />The Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study (CHIS1 filed at the MLRD <br />office assesses the projected cumulative hydrologic impacts of <br />all anticipated mining operations in the general area of the <br />Energy Mine No. 3. Anticipated mining is defined as the <br />proposed life-of-mine areas for the existing coal mines and <br />those proposed coal mines for which complete permit <br />applications have been submitted to the Division. The surface <br />water and ground water general areas for this CHIS do not <br />coincide (Figure 11. The surface water general area includes <br />all of the Yampa River Subbasin above the U.S.G.S. Gaging <br />Station at Hayden. The ground water general area is smaller <br />because of structural limitations as discussed below. <br />- 15 - <br />