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<br />-12- <br />IV, Geology - Rules 2.09.5 and 2.09.6 <br /> <br />The portion of the permit application dealing with the geology of the permit <br />and surrounding areas appears in Sections 2.09.5 and 2.09.6. During the <br />adequacy review of the permit application, it was noted that little infor- <br />mation was provided with respect to the geochemistry of coal, roof, floor, <br />and parting which will be exposed during the operation. This information has <br />since been provided, satisfying the concerns of the Division. <br />During the mining operation, any development waste (including roof fall) and <br />processing waste will be disposed of in a processing waste disposal site <br />within the permit area. Details of this processing waste disposal area <br />are further discussed in Section XVIII of this Findings Document. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />V. Hydrologic_ Balance: Surface Water - Rules 2.09.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.3(9), <br />2.05.6(3) and 9.05 <br />Surface Water Baseline Information <br />Information regarding baseline surface water quality and quantity for the <br />permit and surrounding areas is presented in Section 2.09.5 and 2.04.7(2) <br />of the permit application. The Division has reviewed this information with <br />respect to compliance with the Rules and Regulations. <br />The only drainages which will be impacted by surface disturbances related <br />to the operation are Starkville Gulch and Raton Creek. A relatively small <br />area of the Moores Canyon drainage basin, including a tributary, will be <br />undermined by workings as the operation progresses to the east. <br />Sun dance Coal Company has sampled surface water for quality and measured <br />flaws in Starkville Gulch upstream of the disturbed area and in Raton Creek <br />upstream and downstream of the confluence with Starkville Gulch. Analyses <br />provided indicate that flows in Starkville Gulch are characteristically <br />calcium sulfate in nature. Water quality in Raton Creek is characterized <br />as sodium bicarbonate above Starkville Gulch, changing to a predominance <br />of sodium cations and sulfate anions below Starkville Gulch. <br />Raton Creek is perennial to intermittent in nature. High flows occur in <br />response to snowmelt and precipitation events. Base flow is maintained by <br />ground water discharge during periods of low precipitation. Starkville Gulch <br />is an intermittent stream which flows in response to snowmelt and precipi- <br />tation events. Sun dance Coat Company has developed a spring from a seep in <br />the Lower reaches of the Starkville Gulch drainage which contributes base <br />flow in this stream. <br />Flows were measured along reaches of Raton Creek and were found to vary between <br />a low of 1 cfs to a high of 12,900 cfs. A discharge of 0.016 cfs was <br />recorded for the downstream reaches of the Starkville Gulch drainage shortly <br />after a precipitation event. Further discussion of water quantity and quality <br />and monitoring of surface water as it relates to the proposed operation is <br />given in Section IX of this Findings Document. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />