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characteristics or impact the hydrologic balance. The only concern with diminishment of <br />Steven's Gulch or East Roatcap Creek stream flow would be to water users within those <br />drainages. The operator has responded to this concern in their water replacement plan. The <br />Division's findings on this issue are included in the Water Rights and Replacement <br />discussion in Section VII of this document. <br />Based on data from other mines in the valley, the Division would anticipate stream-related <br />inflows to be only a few hundred gallons per minute at worst case during certain times of <br />the year when the streams are flowing. Following a detailed investigation and analysis, the <br />applicant has predicted that worst-case inflows from East Roatcap Creek would be 5.2 gpm <br />and inflows from Steven's Gulch would be 5.7 gpm. These would increase to 33.5 gpm for <br />the life of mine. Inflows below East Roatcap Creek have averaged less than I gpm. A <br />mitigation plan has been approved that will replace any water lost by mining. <br />The hydrologic consequences of the mine are expected to be minimal. The applicant <br />reports that no degradation of water quality in surface streams is expected. Any effluent <br />will be treated as necessary to meet quality standards prior to dischazge. Although mine <br />inflows are currently small, if inflows are encountered the application contains a plan for a <br />collection and treatment prior to discharge. <br />Conclusion - <br />An assessment of the probable hydrologic consequences of the mining operation and <br />an assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining in the <br />general area on the hydrologic balance has been made. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), <br />the Division finds that the Bowie No. 1 mining operation has been designated to <br />minimize hydrologic impacts within the permit boundary, and to prevent material <br />damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. <br />IV. Topsoil -Rule 4.06 <br />Since no topsoil was salvaged, an analysis of the original Orchazd Valley Mine (East Mine) <br />bench material (Volume 9 -Soils Test Appendix) was conducted. The analysis indicates that the <br />material is suitable as a plant growth medium. This is also true for the storage and loadout areas. <br />Vegetative growth on fill outslopes has occurred. At final reclamation in these areas, the <br />operator has committed to ripping and testing this material for fertility. Fertilizers and <br />amendments will be added as necessary. The area will then be seeded and mulched. <br />Because of the limited available area at the Bowie No. 1 West Mine, topsoil was stored in two <br />areas -outslopes of the portal bench and a topsoil stockpile north of the portal bench. Topsoil on <br />the bench outslopes was spread to a depth of approximately four feet, seeded and stabilized with <br />an erosion control blanket. The topsoil stockpile was protected from erosion by seeding and <br />mulching. Details are located in the approved permit application, Volume lA, Section 2.05.4. <br />Because of reclamation activities at the West Mine portal bench, the topsoil from the bench <br />outslopes and from the topsoil stockpile has been spread over the backfilled and graded area. <br />During initial development of the West Ridge waste disposal pile, approximately 24 inches of <br />topsoil was salvaged. As waste pile expansion occurs, soil material will be analyzed to determine <br />optimal salvage depths. Currently, eight to nine inches of topsoil is salvaged from this area. <br />Topsoil is stockpiled and protected from erosion by seeding and mulching. Depth of total cover <br />and depth of topsoil were determined during an inspection held on July 15, 2003. Total depth of <br />29 <br />