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Sandstone is recharged primarily where i[ subcrops in the stream bottoms. The nearest subcrop of <br />the Tow Creek Sandstone to the permit area is approximately one mile upstream of the mine. <br />Low vertical permeability results in the formation of perched aquifers in local lenticular strata. <br />These perched aquifers recharge and discharge within a short distance forming small seasonal <br />springs and seeps. <br />Sunland Mining Corporation conducted a mine inflow study. This information is provided on <br />Map [ of the permit application. This map shows that the mine inflow is restricted to door seeps <br />occurring in Fault Block No. I and the total rate of water production underground is 40 eallons <br />per hour. An underground inspection of the mine was conducted by the Division which <br />confirmed that absolutely no water was being made through the fault zones even in areas where <br />the mine is lower than Trout Creek stream level. <br />A mine sump water sample was taken and the analysis is presented on page 59 of the permit <br />application. This analysis shows acceptable water quality as defined for the Trout Creek drainage <br />by the Colorado Depaztment of Health, Water Quality Control Commission. 'ne mine workings <br />slope down into the hillside. Groundwater inflows aze expected to reach an equilibrium and the <br />mine is not expected to discharge. Information pertaining to ground water hydrology can be <br />found on pages 58-70 of the permit application. <br />Vegetation <br />The surface facilities azea was disturbed prior to the enactment of the Colorado Surface Coal <br />Mining Reclamation Act. Since quantitative vegetation data was not required when the surface <br />disturbance occurred at the Apex Mine, no premining soils or vegetation data aze available. <br />Therefore, the operator provided SCS soils mapping and range site descriptions based on <br />adjacent areas with similar topography, aspect and parent material. <br />Extensive wildlife baseline studies which cover the Apex No. 2 Mine permit azea have been <br />conducted by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado-Yampa Coal Company, a nearby <br />surface coal mine. No rare or endangered species were identified within this permit area. <br />Land Use <br />The land use within the permit azea prior to any mining was rangeland and wildlife habitat. In the <br />early 1900's, the first coal mining operations were opened along Trout Creek. Tlese mines were <br />accessed by what is now Routt County Road 29. The Apex No. 2 Mine portals and work area are <br />constructed on the previously disturbed site of the old Apex No. I work area. Since county road <br />29 was previously a mine road a specific exemption to leave the county road is in section X[[ of <br />this findings document. <br />Apex No. 2 Mine, C-81-01 I 7 Amended December 21, 1998 <br />