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-19- <br />A11 of the sedimentary rock strata exposed over the mine area are members of <br />the Raton Formation. This formation is 1,200 to 1,600 feet thick. The <br />Maxwell seam is found near the middle of the Ratan Formation. The seam acts <br />as a laterally extensive aquifer, but has limited permeability and poor water <br />quality. Above the Maxwell seam, interbedded sandstone, siltstone, and shale <br />rock units sustain localized perched aquifers. These aquifers are laterally <br />and vertically discontinuous and have low permeabilities. These aquifers may <br />supply discharge to wells, springs, and seeps which are used for domestic <br />water supplies, for watering livestock, and by wildlife. <br />The Vernejo Formation underlies the Raton Formation. The Vermejo Formation, <br />like the Raton Formation, consists of interbedded and lenticular shales, <br />siltstones, sandstones, and coals. Some of the sandstones and siltstones are <br />very localized, discontinuous aquifers. These aquifers may supply discharge <br />to localized wells, springs, and seeps which are used for domestic supplies, <br />for watering livestock, and by wildlife. <br />The Trinidad Sandstone Formation underlies the Vermejo Formation. The <br />Trinidad Sandstone is a laterally extensive sandstone formation used as a key <br />marker bed in the Raton Basin. This formation consists of massive and <br />interbedded sandstones. The formation is a significant regional aquifer, <br />because of its lateral extent and saturated thickness. However, the Trinidad <br />Sandstone is not used as a water supply in the permit and adjacent areas, <br />probably due to the availability of alluvial and surface water supplies, and <br />the depth of drilling required to tap this aquifer. <br />The applicant has not supplied sufficient information on the springs and seeps <br />in the Maxwell Mine's permit and adjacent areas. The applicant has supplied <br />preliminary unpublished data collected by Arthur Geldon of the U.S. Geologic <br />Survey, Water Resource Division, Pueblo, Colorado. This preliminary data is <br />presented in the applicant's August 20, 1982, response to the Oraft Findings <br />document. The data submitted by the applicant covers an area north of the <br />Purgatoire River and documents water quantity and quality in most, but not <br />ail, of the wells, springs, and seeps which were identified in this area. The <br />areas of the Maxwell Mine which have been mined, and those areas which will be <br />mined upon resumption of mining operations, were not covered in the well, <br />spring, and seep survey. These areas of the Maxwell Mine lie south of the <br />Purgatoire River. <br />In order to find the operator in compliance with Rules 2,04.7(1)(a)(iii), <br />2.04.7(1)(b), 2.04.7(2)(a), and 2.04.7{2)(b)(ii), the following stipulations <br />are necessary. <br />Stipulation No. 4 <br />THE PERMITTEE SHALL CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY SPRING AND SEEP SURVEY USING <br />AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE PERMIT AND ADJACENT AREAS. THE PRELIMINARY <br />SPRING SURVEY SHALL CONSIST OF A MAP OF THE PERMIT AND ADJACENT AREAS <br />WHICH WILL SHOW THE LOCATION OF ALL POTENTIAL SPRING AND SEEPS <br />IDENTIFIED ON THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. THE PRELIMINARY SPRING SURVEY <br />SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIVISION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PERMIT ISSUANCE <br />AND BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT Of MINING IN THE MAXWELL MINE. <br />