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Two freshwater ponds, FWA and FW-2, are proposed for water <br /> storage. Pond FWA is currently in operation. Pond FW-2 will be <br /> constructed in the event that additional water storage is needed and is <br /> not proposed for this five-year permit term. The potential location of <br /> FW-2 has not been discussed in MCC's permit nor have designs been <br /> submitted. A system of lined ditches convey water from the disturbed <br /> areas to the ponds. With the exception of SGA, all sedimentation <br /> ponds discharge directly into the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br /> The mine operation has obtained the appropriate NPDES permits. <br /> Effluent quality for the sedimentation ponds has been monitored and <br /> will continue to be monitored to determine permit compliance. The <br /> applicant will also continue monitoring of surface water to determine <br /> the impact of mining on the hydrologic regime. <br /> Much of the surface water flow in the lease block is due to snowmelt <br /> with dry season flows mostly supplied by sources at higher elevations <br /> on West Elk outside the lease block. Mining activities will not have a <br /> significant effect on snowmelt runoff or sources outside the lease block. <br /> Life of mine operations in F, B, and E Seams are not expected to have <br /> an impact on streams as subsidence and propagation of fractures are to <br /> be minimized under the proposed mine plan sections contained within <br /> the permit document. <br /> Minnesota and Beaver Reservoirs are both located below the outcrop of <br /> the F Seam coal. These reservoirs are used to store water for irrigation <br /> and will not be directly affected by mining the F Seam. The portions of <br /> lower coal seams under the reservoirs, including the E and B Seams, <br /> are legally severed from the lease. <br /> Several springs that feed into Minnesota Creek could be affected by <br /> mining to the extent that the flow is decreased or that they completely <br /> dry out. Generally, it is not expected that the flow in Minnesota Creek <br /> will be decreased significantly as a result of mining the F Seam. <br /> During the next five-year permit term, no mining will take place south <br /> of the Minnesota Creek Basin drainage divide with the exception of a <br /> small area adjacent to the divide where the B Seam main entries will be <br /> located. It is expected that these main entries will not impact the <br /> hydrologic balance of the Minnesota Creek Basin. A detailed <br /> discussion of measures taken to assess and ensure the protection of the <br /> Minnesota Creek water supply is contained in Exhibit 58 of the permit <br /> document entitled, "Protection of Minnesota Creek Water Supply." <br /> During Water Year 1982, the conditional right to withdraw water from <br /> the North Fork was deemed absolute. When this water right is in <br /> priority, water can be pumped from the intake point to the freshwater <br /> 44 <br />