Laserfiche WebLink
• - OSM, November 1987. Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mining Plan <br />Modification Environmental Assessment. <br />Additionally, OSM bases this finding on the following <br />reasons. <br />C. Reasons <br />The proposed mining plan modification would cause no new <br />disturbance other than mining-induced subsidence. A total <br />of about 2,700 acres is expected to subside due to all <br />mining operations in the permit area. No subsidence or <br />surface disturbance is expected in the 35.5-acre area in the <br />Minnesota Creek drainage basin. <br />The proposed mining plan modification would not result in <br />significant damage to any important historic, cultural, or <br />scientific resources in the permit area. A special <br />condition of approval is recommended to protect unsurveyed <br />cultural resources in the event that new subsidence or <br />cultural resources information indicates that cultural <br />resources may be affected by subsidence. The SHPO concurred <br />with OSM's determination in a letter dated December 15, <br />1989. <br />• While drainage patterns may be affected slightly in the <br />permit area, subsidence is not expected to adversely affect <br />surface flow in the ephemeral streams of the permit area. <br />All drainage would continue to flow to the North Fork of the <br />Gunnison River. There would be no changes to the drainage <br />patterns of the Minnesota Creek watershed, nor any <br />depletions of surface water flows in the Minnesota Creek <br />watershed. <br />The worst-case depletion of springs and seeps would have a <br />very minor impact on the quantity of water available in the <br />basin. WECC has committed to develop undeveloped springs to <br />mitigate the loss of water from existing developed springs. <br />Subsidence is expected to be minimal in the areas where <br />stockponds are located. If subsidence does affect the <br />viability of a stockpond, WECC has committed to replace or <br />repair any ponds to mitigate any loss of water due to mining <br />activities. <br />Fracturing of strata above the B seam is expected to have <br />minimal, if any, effect on aquifers below the B seam. <br />The cumulative mine water inflow projection is 42 gpm. <br />Treatment capacity for the mine water inflow is 200 gpm (in <br />• addition to the treatment capacity for surface runoff from <br />the surrounding drainage area). Currently, treatment is <br />required only for inflows from the active mining areas. <br />