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-la- The mining operation will cause slight decreases in surface water flows due to spring flow depletions and to evaporation of water from sediment ponds and water in the mine pit. These losses will be minor in comparison to the total flow in Carbon Junction Canyon and miniscule in comparision to the flows in the Animas River. The evaporation of water in the sediment ponds and mine pit will also cause an increase in total dissolved solids in surface waters. Surface water also will gain increased total dissolved solids by flowing through the disturbed areas. These increases in total dissolved solids will not exceed NPDES requirements prior to discharge. Also, any increased TDS levels will be diluted by the flows in the Animas River. Sediment levels will be reduced through the sediment control system and thus will not impact water quality supplying the alluvial valley floor. The quantity of ground water will be slightly degraded due to mining. However, the discharge from aquifers is a very minor contribution to the water supplying the alluvial valley floor and impacts to water quality will be mitigated by the dilution of this water by the larger stream flows in the Animes River. 3. Rule 4.24 The Division finds that the surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve, throughout the mining process, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. No mining opeations will be conducted on the Animas River alluvial valley floor and the impact to the quality and quantity of ground and surface waters supplying the Animas River AVF will not cause material damage, given the present operation and reclamation plan. VIII. is Pueblo Coal, Inc.'s Carbon Junction Mine is the only coal mine for which the Division has received a complete permit application within the Upper Animas River Basin, of Colorado. Therefore, the Carbon Junction Mine will have no cumulative hydrologic impacts. The following study will deal with the probable hydrologic impacts of the Carbon Junction Mine on surface and ground water. Refer to the Description of the Environment, Operations and Reclamation Plan Description, Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Alluvial Valley Floor sections of this document for background information. The following assessment has been made after reviewing all information supplied by the applicant, public information on the area, and after making a site inspection of the proposed mine site. The Carbon Junction Mine will impact the quality and quantity of surface and ground water during and after mining. These hydrologic impacts will be minimal due to the mitigative measures which the company plans to undertake.