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-2- ~ are down dip and have not been producing any water. The single sedi- ment pond on the property for Bear „3 will be designed to contain any runoff from the mine property fcr a 10-year, 24-hour event. This pond will be properly lined to prevent infiltration into the alluvium of the North Fork of the Gunnison river since it is contained within the North Fork alluvium channel. From careful analysis and examination of available date it is reasonable to assume existing ground and surface water will not be ad•aersely affected. The state has detersnir.ed that an alluvial valley floor (AVF) occurs about 1 mile on the North Fork of the Gunnison. Using the same conclusions as derived above, a neg- ligible effect on this AVF is expected. c) The Bear ~3 dine surface area over the coal lease is rugged, irregu- lar, sloping towards the north, and adjacent to the south cliff area of the Worth Fork of the Gunnison river valley. Topographic maps in- dicate this is a very poor catchment area for surface water due to the topography, lack of an established basin, lack of moisture, and to- pography conducive to rapid runoff. The surface area contains no perennial streams and only intermittent or ephemeral channels that produce water only as a direct result of precipitation. Water infil- tration is subsequently very low. Since the proposed Bear =3 mine is dry, no apparent hydrologic connection is evident from the overlying strata and little is expected because of the above conclusions. Even in the presently being abandoned Bear ~1 mine that is presently being permanently closed (1/4 mile up stream, with the same seam and same side of valley as Bear ~3) where pillars have been extracted causing upward caving into the overlying strata, little any water has been produced. Also negligible surface subsidence effects are expected because of the massive sandstone barriers (See MMS concurrence) that _ might interrupt surface flows. The sandstone barriers will also limit " the impact to any overlying coal seams that may have aquifer charac- teristics. This assessment and past-mining history in the area demonstrates that the Bear ~3 mine will have an insignificant effect on the hydrologic regime in the permit area and even less impact on the cumulative probable hydro- logic balance of all coal mining in the area. The operations proposed under the application have been designed to prevent damage to the hydro- logic balance in associated off-site areas (see Sec. IX, p. 19 of the Technical Analysis [TA], Proposed Decision and Findings Document, 4. OS14 has verified the following findings with the applicable Federal and local agencies and their planning and records tin the area of the mine show the proposed permit area: (a) Plot included within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. (see Section XXV, p. 33 of TA [2.07.6(2)(d)(i)]), (b) Plot within an area under study for designating lands unsuitable for surface coal mining operations (see p. 2 of BLM concurrence letter) (see ~ XXV, p. 63 of TA, [2.07.6(2)(d)(ii)], [786.19(d)(2}].