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-21- All of the sedimentary rock strata exposed over the mine area are members of the Ratan Formation. This formation has a thickness of 1,200 to 1,600 feet. The Allen seam is found near the middle of the Raton Formation. The coal seam acts as a laterally extensive aquifer but has limited permeability and poor water quality. Above the coal seam, interbedded sandstone, siltstone, and shale rock units sustain localized perched aquifers. These aquifers are laterally and vertically discontinuous and have law penneabilities. These aquifers may supply discharges to wells, springs, and seeps which are used for domestic supplies, for watering livestock, and by wildlife. The Vermejo Formation underlies the Raton Formation. The Vermejo Formation, like the Raton Formation, consists of interbedded and lenticular shales, siltstones, sandstones, and coals. Some of the sandstones and siltstones are very localized, discontinuous aquifers. These aquifers may locally supply discharge to wells, springs, and seeps; which are also used for domestic supplies, for watering livestock, and by wildlife. The Trinidad Sandstone Formation underlies the Vermejo Formation. The Trinidad Sandstone is a laterally extensive sandstone formation used as a key marker bed in the region (Raton Basin). This formation consists of massive and interbedded sandstones. The formation is a significant regional aquifer, owing to its lateral extent and saturated thickness. However, the Trinidad Sandstone is not used as a water supply in the permit and adjacent areas, probably due to the availability of alluvial and surface water supplies, and due to the depth of drilling required to tap this aquifer. The applicant has not supplied sufficient information on the springs and seeps in the Allen Mine's permit and adjacent areas. Preliminary unpublished data collected by Arthur Geldon of the U.S. Geologic Survey, Water Resource Division, Pueblo, Colorado has been provided. This preliminary data is presented in the applicant's response to the Draft Findings Document for the Maxwell Mine dated August 20, 1982. The preliminary data submitted by the applicant covers an area north of the Purgatoire River and documents water quantity and quality in most, but not all, of the wells, springs, and seeps which were identified. The Allen Mine's permit and adjacent areas are located on both sides of the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River. Those areas south of the Middle Fork were not studied. In order to find the operator in conformance with Rules 2.04.7(1)(a)(iii), 2.04.7(1)(b), 2.04.7(2)(a), and 2.04.7(2)(b)(ii), the following stipulation is required. Stipulation No. 7: THE PERMITTEE SHALL CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY SPRING AND SEEP SURVEY USING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE PERMIT AND ADJACENT AREAS. THE PRELIMINARY SPRING SURVEY SHALL CONSIST OF A MAP OF THE PERMIT AND ADJACENT AREAS WHICH WILL SHOW THE LOCATION OF ALL POTENTIAL SPRINGS AND SEEPS IDENTIFIED ON THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. THE PRELIMINARY SPRING SURVEY SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIVISION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PERMIT ISSUANCE AND BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF MINING IN THE ALLEN MINE. Aerial photographs for the Allen Mine are available for inspection at the CMLRD office.