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-31- <br />The existing ground water monitoring network, consisting of 21 wells, <br />will be maintained throughout the life of the mine. Water level <br />measurements are to be made in all wells on a quarterly basis, and <br />water quality samples from nine wells will be collected and analyzed <br />annually. Wells in this monitoring program penetrate the alluvium of <br />the North Fork, the alluvium of Sylvester Gulch, the colluvium and <br />Barren Member, and coals of the B, E, and F-seams. <br />In addition, within the 5-year permit area, piezometer holes B-32, <br />SOM-13, SOM-80, 38-H-1, and 38-H-2 will be monitored monthly for water <br />level. <br />Two monitor wells are located above the first panel to be subsided. <br />Water levels in these wells will monitored monthly, and quality samples <br />will be drawn twice per year. These wells are designed to assist in <br />evaluating the hydrologic impacts subsidence may have upon the Barren <br />Member. <br />The following stipulation is to ensure the wells are monitored prior to <br />mining within this panel to obtain adequate baseline data. <br />Stipulation No. 7 THE APPLICANT SHALL MONITOR THE 2 MONITORING WELLS <br />LOCATED OVER THE FIRST PANEL TO BE SUBSIDED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO MINING <br />THIS PANEL. THE APPLICANT SHALL SUBMIT TO THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY <br />GROUND WATER LEVEL DATA AND WATER QUALITY DATA PRIOR TO MINING THIS <br />PANEL. <br />The applicant proposes monitoring springs in the 5 year permit area and <br />springs C-22 and C-23 three times annually. The applicant also <br />proposes to monitor spring C-14 twice yearly for water quality. Since <br />the springs in the mine plan area are of significance, and since the <br />impact upon ground water will first be manifested as reduced spring <br />flows, the Division required that an expanded spring monitoring plan be <br />required. This spring monitoring plan is to determine the effects of <br />mining on spring flows and quality within the mine plan and adjacent <br />areas to aid in predicting effects in subsequently permitted areas. <br />The monitoring of springs in the northern half of the Dry Fork <br />watershed is to provide adequate baseline data. The baseline data can <br />then be compared with monitor data acquired during mining in this area. <br />The applicant states that there will be "no uncontrolled mine water <br />discharge after mining is complete, which might otherwise degrade <br />surface streams or ground water." Entries to the Mt. Gunnison Mine No. <br />1 lie downdip from the recharge areas of the aquifers to be <br />encountered. As such, it is likely that some mine drainage will result <br />after mine shutdown. Although the applicant states that no <br />uncontrolled drainage will occur after completion of mining, specific <br />plans for sealing of mine openings after mining were presented in the <br />application and found to be in compliance by the Division. <br />