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No surface disturbance will occur in the Alkali Creek watershed during <br />construction or operation of the mine. Underground mining will occur within <br />the watershed but the creek will not be undermined. <br />For more information on surface hydrology, see permit pages 3-40 through 3-49. <br />Groundwater <br />Hydrogeological field studies, including the establishment of a groundwater <br />monitoring system of the NCIG Permit Area, began in late 1981 and has been <br />continued through the present. These studies have included spring and seep <br />surveys, alluvial, colluvial, and bedrock groundwater monitoring, water <br />quality and quantity analyses, aquifer testing and geologic mapping. <br />Potential water-bearing zones have been identified in the Rollins, Middle and <br />Upper Sandstone and the Wheeler Coal. The first three units have been <br />recognized as regional aquifers where the hydrogeologic conditions are <br />suitable. <br />All water from the three sandstone zones are of a sodium-bicarbonate water <br />type. Total dissolved solids range from 575 to 1,340 mg/1. This water type <br />and range of concentrations are very similar to analyses from the same <br />geologic units taken from other locations along this structure and <br />stratigraphic sequence. <br />Elevation of the water surface in the Rollins Sandstone at the point of <br />intersection with the horizontal hole SK-3H was about 6,060 feet above MSL <br />(Figure 3.3-7). <br />Groundwater in the Middle and Upper Sandstones has not been identified in the <br />permit area. The elevation of the water surface in the Wheeler Coal SK-3H <br />well was about 6,060 feet, or about 140 feet above the elevation of the <br />wellhead. <br />All water quality sampling on the NCIG property is performed according to <br />recognized and accepted sample collection techniques. The results of all <br />analyses to date, including cation-anion balances and field parameters <br />measured at each site, are provided in Appendices 3.3-6 and 3.3-7. <br />Climatology <br />The mine site has a typical alpine climate, experiencing long, cold winters, <br />averaging from low teens at night to 30 degrees Farenheit in the day, and <br />moderate summers. The mine site experiences "mountain top" air flow of <br />frequent cold night air drainage from the mountain sides down to the Colorado <br />River Valley. Prevailing winds blow from west and northwest to the southeast <br />with an average velocity of 5.3 mph. <br />Precipitation varies little seasonally, averaging one to two inches per <br />month. Snowfall can reach up to 60 inches in higher elevations. <br />-9- <br />