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Several potential aquifers exist in, and adjacent to, the permit area, including: (1) Alluvial and alluvial terrace deposits associated with the North Fork of the Gunnison River and Sylvester Gulch; (2) Colluvial deposits; (3) Lenticular, discontinuous sandstones and coals; and (4) The Rollins Sandstone. The most significant occurrence of groundwater in the general area is the alluvial aquifer adjacent to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Several domestic wells are located along the river in the alluvial material. Local bedrock groundwater movement in the discontinuous lenticular sandstones above the Rollins Sandstone is controlled by stratigraphy, faults and fractures. Groundwater discharge occurs through numerous seeps and springs in the area. The spring Flows are generally intermittent and emanate from localized, lenticular sandstones above the F-Seam of the Upper Coal Member. Small seasonal springs emanate from unconsolidated Colluvial material. These springs flow in response to seasonal precipitation. No alluvial valley floors (AVFs), as defined in Rule 1.04(10), exist within the permit area. Alluvial deposits along the North Fork of the Gunnison River below the town of Somerset have been found to meet the geomorphic criteria and irrigation requirements of an alluvial valley floor. This area will not be affected by the operation. The facilities area at the Bear No. 3 Mine is located on alluvial material adjacent [o [he North Fork of the Gunnison River, and this has been the case since 1934. This alluvial material does not meet the criteria for designation as an alluvial valley floor. As noted in Bear Coal Company's 1995 Annual Hydrologic Report, beginning in June of 1995, personnel at the Bear No. 3 Mine began to notice a measurable amount of water building behind the seals in the 3rd West Section. The source of this water was undetermined since during development of the 3rd West no measurable water was encountered. In June of 1995, this mine inflow averaged approximately 18 gallons per minute (gpm), which was consumed during the normal mining process. During 1996, water reportedly continued to flow from the 3rd West seals. Water also began flowing from the bleeder seals in [he 2nd West Section. This additional inflow overcame the mine's ability to consume inflows during normal mining processes. Bear Coal Company found it necessary to discharge mine inflow water to the North Fork of the Gunnison River during 1996. This discharge to the North Fork of the Gunnison River was stopped in the later part of 1996 when mining operations were discontinued at the Bear No. 3 Mine. On November 11, 1996, the Beaz Coal Company permanently ceased all mining operations. at the Bear No. 3 Mine due to geological conditions encountered in the mine. The three existing portals at the Bear No. 3 Mine were permanently sealed. Discharge pipes were installed to allow for potential drainage from each of the sealed portals. Because the Bear No. 3 Mine has been sealed, no further information is currently available on mine inflow to the 3rd West Section or any other potential inflow to other areas of the mine. On November 15, 1997, slide activity occurred in an area located immediately west of the Bear No. 3 Mine portals. Debris from the slide flowed onto the old coal stockpile pad and into the North Fork of the Gunnison River below the mine access bridge. On November 17, 1997 Bear personnel noted water flowing from an area to the east of the slide scarp (immediately west of the sealed Edwards Mine Portal). According to recent monitoring reports from the Bear Coal Company and measurements taken by the Division, this spring is continuing to flow at 8