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<br /> <br />Most of these springs are used for stock watering, mining should not prohibit <br />this use, because TDS levels will not surpass EPA limitations for stock <br />watering purposes. <br />Post mining consequences of mining will be the development of spoils aquifers <br />in the backfilled pits. The reclaimed pits will have the highest <br />permeability/porosity values of any local aquifers. The back filled pits will <br />induce recharge from precipitation and surface runoff, from up gradient in the <br />Williams Fork formation, and from downgradient in the Williams Fork and Wadge <br />coal. Until an equilibrium is established between the backfilled pits and the <br />surrounding aquifers, a diminution of water quantity may be expected at some <br />springs (S-1, S-5, S-23, 5-41) and at Temple Well No. 1. <br />Eventually, springs and seeps will eminate from the topographically lowest <br />points of the reclaimed pits. These waters will be characterized by high <br />levels of iron, manganese, total dissolved solids, and possibly boron. Unless <br />this water is intercepted by holding ponds, it will add flow to the unnamed <br />drainage directly below mining and eventually to Hubberson Gulch and Dry <br />Creek. This flow may be expressed as surface flow, or as an increased <br />(elevated) water table, dependent upon local conditions. <br />It is projected that the concentrations of these parameters will decrease with <br />time as the readily dissolvable elements are leached until an equilibrium <br />level is reached. Further discussion of this is found under the Surface Water <br />portion of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section. <br />In summary, probable hydrologic consequences to the ground water regime will <br />be minor. Localized effects to the hydrologic system will include: 1) the <br />draw down of ground water, due to pit dewatering, fora few hundred to perhaps <br />1,000 feet from the pit; 2) the establishment of a relatively unconfined <br />aquifer of poor quality in the backfilled pits; 3) the probable dewatering of <br />th ree to five springs in the permit area, two of which are used for stock <br />watering purposes; 4) possibly diminishing the quantity and quality of water <br />in the Temple Well no. l; and 5) the possible increase in water and decrease <br />in quality of alluvial water in Hubberson Gulch and its unnamed tributary <br />along the access road, due to infiltration of spoils discharge. <br />Altogether, these impacts are not projected to pose a serious or significant <br />threat to the prevailing ground water system in the area. <br />Surface Water Effects <br />All runoff from the disturbed areas at the mine site during the permit term <br />will be diverted to Sediment Pond 006 prior to release to an unnamed <br />tributary, Hubberson Gulch and eventually Dry Creek. Effects of mining on <br />this water will involve changes in quantity and quality. <br />-37- <br />