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_ 2. Operations at the Trapper Mine are having, and are expected to continue • to have, negligible impacts on the water resources of the area. Under the worst case, ground-water levels in the third White Sandstone would be lowered up to 1 mile from the mine and the water qualit}• would be degraded by leachate from spoils, utility wastes, and municipal wastes, all disposed of in the the mined-out pits. This could lower water levels in 2 wells and eventually degrade the water in 15 wells. Any water quality degradation would gradually disappear as water flushes out the poorer materials. The applicant is committed to replacing any water supply that is adversely affected by the mining operations. Suitable sources are available as replacement supplies. Impacts to surface water would consist of a slight decrease in peak flows and a slight increase in dissolved solids. Runoff from disturbed areas would be controlled by diversions, sediment ponds, and an inactive pit. All water would still be suitable for watering livestock and wildlife, the only current use. An independent study (Kaman Tempo, 1982) has cone:Luded that the 12 existing and proposed mines in the Yampa Basin would have negligible impacts on the surface-water resources. Only during extreme low-flow events would flow in the Yampa River be degraded enough to affect use of the water for Srrigation or municipal supplies. Other uses would not be affected. Most of the other coal mines in the Yampa Basin are more than 10 m'.les from the Trapper Mine, and the mines remove coal from different seams. Only mining operations at the Eagle 115 and 1t9 Mines could cause cumulative impacts with the Trapper Mine to the ground-water system. The lowering of water levels in the third White Sandstone in the vicinity of the mines, and the possible degradation of the ground-water quality could limit the use of this aquifer. However, other aquifers in the area are able to replace this source of ground water. 3. After reviewing the description of the proposed permit area, Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division and OSM determines this area is: a. Not included within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. [See BLM correspondence of April I4, 198I; Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(i); 786.19(d)(1)] b. Not within an area under study for designating lands unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. [See BLM correspondence of April 14, 1981; Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(ii); 786.19(d)(2)j c. Not on any lands subject to the prohibitions or limitations of 30 CFR 761.11(a) (national parks, etc.), 761.1:L(f) (public buildings, etc.), and 761.11(g) (cemeteries). [Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(iii); TA, page 57-58); 786.19(d)(3)j d. Within 100 feet of the outside right-of-way of a public road. [Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(iv); TA, page 58); 786.19(d)(4)] e. Not within 300 feet of any occupied dwelling. [Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(v); TA, page 58); 786.19(d)(5)]