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reach the dissolution surface, even though well mechanical integrity is intact. Such an occurrence would <br />place American Soda in a technical violation of its UIC permit even though it was operating within the <br />prescribed limits of its permit. <br />American Soda has requested the establishment of an injection interval and an injection zone. <br />The injection interval would equate to the mining zone (effectively the current injection zone from 150 <br />feet below the dissolution surface to about 800 feet below the Dissolution Surface). The Injection Zone <br />would be increased to include the Dissolution Surface and any overlying aquifers up to the base of the <br />R-6 zone. Thus, if mining fluid travels via a fracture into the dissolution aquifer it would not constitute <br />a Permit violation. Any migration of fluids into the Dissolution aquifer noted by the production <br />monitoring or by any monitoring wells, would require action by the operator to determine the cause of <br />the problem and initiate changes to eliminate further fluid movement. <br />Although the aquifer(s) overlying the Dissolution Surface does not generally meet USDW <br />standards and the R-6 zone has been shown to be an aquitazd, it is still possible that some hydrologic <br />connectivity could exist between the Dissolution Surface and the B-groove. For this reason, American <br />Soda proposes that if mining fluid does migrate above the Dissolution Surface (within the Injection <br />Zone), corrective action would be taken to halt further incursion and pressurization of the dissolution <br />aquifer. <br />Pressure monitoring of the Dissolution Surface is known to be effective in identifying excursions <br />of fluid. Previous experience at both American Soda's site and at the neighboring Natural Soda site has <br />indicated that the lower aquifer (overlying the Dissolution Surface) shows a substantial pressure increase <br />when fluid travels into the zone. To enhance American Soda's ability to identify and respond to an <br />incursion into the dissolution aquifer, American Soda will expand its pressure monitoring of the <br />Dissolution Surface. American Soda would convert some exhausted production welts into pressure <br />monitoring wells completed in the aquifer immediately overlying the Dissolution Surface. The <br />converted wells would be in addition to the existing 25 monitoring wells, which already include 4 wells <br />in the lower aquifer. American Soda proposes to convert up to six (6) exhausted wells in each mining <br />panel to pressure monitoring wells. The general location and spacing for these converted monitoring <br />wells will be determined by any identified needs for additional monitoring. Selection of specific wells <br />to be converted to monitoring wells will be based on the cavity history and the condition of the well at <br />the time the well is retired. For example, if a particulaz well at end of its operating life has good <br />wellbore integrity and is located near other operating wells that aze distant from any other dissolution <br />surface monitoring well, or if it is located neaz an operating well that had shown one or more pressure <br />losses during its operating life, then the well might be a good candidate for conversion to a monitoring <br />well. <br />Establishing a thicker Injection Zone with these monitoring and protective measures will continue to <br />ensure protection of USDWs and prevent American Soda from violating their permit due to geologic <br />conditions. <br />Proposed Modifications for Infection Interval: <br />• Part II C (3) is proposed to be changed as follows: <br />Current Laneua¢e: <br />Draft Addendum to SOB For Modification No. 9, UIC Area Permit No. C030858-00000 Page 7 of 27 <br />