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_21_ <br />Cumulative Impacts Assessment <br />The only existing or proposed coal mining operations that are located within <br />the area of the Animas Coal 14ine are the Allen and Maxwell mines, which are owned <br />and operated by CF67 Steel Corporation. These operations are located along <br />the Purgatoire River, approximately 20 miles west and upstream of the Animas <br />Mine. There is no potential for the Animas Mine and the CF&I operations to <br />produce cumulative effects on the hydrologic balance based on the distance <br />separating these operations. <br />For the life-of-mine area, the underground workings will be extended into <br />adjacent leases. The Moores Canyon drainage, including the upper reaches of <br />three ephemeral tributaries, will be undermined. A portion of the Engleville <br />Canyon drainage basin will also be undermined. Because of the short duration <br />of runoff events which are characteristic of ephemeral streams, possible sub- <br />sidence effects (short of total collapse of the surface) would not be expected <br />to significantly diminish surface flows. <br />No spring and seep areas which were identified in the spring and seep survey <br />overlie the life-of-mine area. Two spring and seep areas which were identified <br />in Moores Canyon lie stratigraphically above, and are hydrologically isolated <br />from, the projected workings. The potential for any effect on the hydrologic <br />balance resulting from subsidence over the life-of-mine workings is minimal. <br />The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal <br />mining in the general area on the hydrologic balance, as described in Rule <br />2.05.6(3), has been made by the Division, and the operations proposed in the <br />application have been designed to prevent damage to the hydrologic balance out- <br />side the proposed permit area. <br />Surface and Ground Water monitoring <br />The applicant has included a plan for monitoring surface and ground water which <br />can potentially be impacted by the operation in Section 2.05.6 (pages 236 and <br />237) of the application. The Division is in agreement with the monitoring plan, <br />with the addition of the following requirements which are issued as stipulations <br />to this permit: <br />Stipulation No. 5: <br />THE PERMITTEE WILL INCLUDE TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS IN ADDITION TO <br />THE PARAMETERS REQUIRED BY NPDES FOR THE ANALYSIS OF WATER DIS- <br />CHARGED FROM THE SEDIMENT POND. <br />Because the iuppa well (031635) can potentially be impacted by the operation, <br />it must be monitored for changes in physical and chemical characteristics. <br />The following stipulation is, therefore, required: <br />