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limits of current water laws of the State. <br />Only one ground water well was predicted to be potentially impacted by mining <br />operations. The luppa well is completed in the coal-bearing formation down dip a <br />short distance from the permit boundary. It produces at a low rate of one gallon <br />per minute and contains high concentrations of nitrate and prior to permit <br />issuance was naturally of poor quality. Data collected over the ten-year liability <br />period indicate no adverse impacts as a result of mining operations. The water <br />level has declined only slightly, likely due to recent drought conditions followed <br />by modest recovery. <br />Mine inflow during operations was not significant and would indicate little or no <br />communication between mine workings and shallow ground water in the area. <br />No springs or seeps developed above or near reclaimed portals and none are <br />expected in the future. Minor flooding of the mine workings is not predicted to <br />result in discharge of mine water to the surtace. Pre-existing springs and seeps <br />were seasonal and not determined to be significant. No monitoring was <br />conducted on springs and seeps over the life of the operation. <br />Subsidence <br />Mining and subsidence from retreat mining were not proposed under any <br />structures or renewable resource lands within the permit area. Therefore, there <br />are no subsidence mitigation or control measures required. However, EFMC <br />committed to visually monitor the ephemeral drainage of Starkville Gulch if <br />retreat mining operations were conducted under the drainage channel. <br />However, only development operations occurred under the channel before the <br />mine ceased operations. Documentation of the mine development at the time of <br />closure is shown on Figure 3, Affected Areas, Animas Mine Project Map included <br />with the bond release application. <br />Two small areas above the former portals settled during the bond liability period. <br />Both of these areas affected less than 100 square feet and were immediately <br />repaired by EFMC. The areas are indistinguishable from other reclaimed areas <br />and have shown no further settlement. Minor settlement cracks near the portals <br />were also repaired successfully. The Division, EFMC, or the landowner identified <br />no other known subsidence features. Subsidence is likely complete at this time <br />and any further impact due to mine-induced subsidence is unlikely. <br />VI. SUMMARY <br />Based on the observations and findings as detailed above, the Division believes <br />that EFMC has completed the approved reclamation plan and met the <br />requirements of the Rules for final bond release of all disturbed areas and all <br />affected area within the 1310 acre permit boundary. <br />12 <br />