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-33- <br />The existing ground water monitoring network, consists of 19 wells, of <br />which 10 are within the five year permit boundary. They will be <br />maintained throughout the life of the mine. Water level measurements <br />are to be made in all wells on a quarterly basis, and water quality <br />samples from nine wells will be collected and analyzed annually. Wells <br />in this monitoring program penetrate the alluvium of the North Fork, <br />the alluvium of Sylvester Gulch, the colluvium and Barren Member, and <br />coals of the B, E, and F-seams. <br />In addition, within the five 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 />WECC has been monitoring two wells that overlie the first panel to be <br />mined since 1980. In addition, 4-8 additional wells will be installed <br />in 1985. These wells will be used to monitor any effects to lenticular <br />sands of the Barren Member caused by subsidence. <br />The applicant proposes to monitor springs in the five year permit area <br />and 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 an important indicator of both <br />bedrock and colluvial aquifers, and since the impact upon ground water <br />will first be manifested as reduced spring flows, the Division required <br />that an expanded spring monitoring plan be implemented. This spring <br />monitoring plan is to determine the effects of mining on spring flows <br />and quality within the mine plan and adjacent areas to aid in <br />predicting affects in subsequently permitted areas. The monitoring of <br />springs in the northern half of the Dry Fork watershed is to provide <br />adequate baseline data. The baseline data can then be compared with <br />monitoring 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. Since the applicant states that no uncontrolled <br />drainage will occur after completion of mining, specific plans for <br />sealing of mine openings after mining were presented in the application <br />and found to be in compliance by the Division. <br />~.,. <br />.. _ <br />