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Three coal seams exist in the Lower Coal Bearing (Bowie) member, the A-Seam (Old King), the B-Seam (Somerset seam), and the C-Seam (Bear). The A-Seam is immediately above the Rollins Sandstone and was not mined. The B-Seam contains two coal zones and occurs about 20 to 120 feet above the Rollins Sandstone. This seam was mined at the Somerset Mine. The C-Seam occurs 50 to 100 feet above the B-Seam. This seam was mined at U.S. Steel's Elk Creek Mine (currently the Sanborn Creek Mine), and the Bear Mines. Three coal seams have been identified in the Upper Coal (Bowie) member: the D-Seam (Oliver), E-Seam (Hawk's Nes[), and the F-Seam. The D-Seam occurs directly above the massive sandstone of the Lower Coal Bearing member and contains three zones. This seam is currently being mined at the Bowie No. 1 Mine. The E-Seam occurs about 130 feet above the D-Seam and contains two coal zones. This seam was mined at the Hawk's Nest and Blue Ribbon Mines. The E-Seam may be mined at the West Elk Mine in the future. The F-Seam contains two coal zones and is only mined at the West Elk Mine. Coal seams of the F horizon do not exist, in thicknesses sufficient for mining, to the north of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The topography of the permit area is mountainous. The azea has been dissected by streams resulting in local relief in excess of 6,000 feet. The elevation at the Bear No. 3 Mine facilities area is approximately 6,000 feet, and the elevation at the top of Mt. Gunnison is in excess of 12,000 feet. Numerous landslides are present on the permit area and throughout the North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage. The landslides are caused by surficial failure of colluvial material or rotational failure of incompetent bedrock on over steepened slopes. The geologic structure of the area lacks any prominent folding or faulting. The strata dip to the north-northeast at three to five degrees. Dips increase to the south as igneous intrusives influence the structure. A detailed geological description of the permit area is also given in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of this document and Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study for the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Hydrologic Balance -Rules 2.04.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.3, 2.05.6(3) and 4.05 Groundwater - Groundwater resource information for the Bear Mines is presented in Section 2.04.7 of the Bear No. 1 and 2 permit application, and Sections 2.04.7 and 4.05 of the Bear No. 3 permit revision application. Additional groundwater information is presented on Map 10 (Mine Facilities Map) of the Bear No. 3 permit revision application. 7