Laserfiche WebLink
_ 1P _ <br />VIII. Cumulative H drolo is Im act Stud and Probable Hydrologic <br />onsequences - u es .0 and 2. c <br />Under Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the Division is required to make an assessment of the <br />probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated operations in the general area <br />on the hydrologic balance and make a finding that the operations proposed in <br />the permit application have been designed to prevent material damage to the <br />hydrologic balance outside of the proposed permit area. The probable <br />hydrologic consequences of the Fish Creek Tipple are quite limited due to the <br />small size of the disturbance (less than 17 acres for the tipple facility with <br />an additional 13 acres associated with the haulroad) and the nature of the <br />operation (coal handling and loading only). <br />As stated previously in this document, drainage and sediment control measures <br />implemented at the site have proven sufficient to insure that the quality of <br />water downstream from the site is not impacted. During operations the total <br />dissolved solids concentration will increase in waters draining the area. <br />This increase is slight and not expected to prevent the use of water for <br />irrigation. Concentrations will return to pre-disturbance levels upon <br />completion of reclamation. <br />The Fish Creek Tipple was orginally built on a 25 to 35 foot bench derived <br />from excess overburden from adjacent mines. The fill covers colluvial and <br />some alluvial deposities along Fish Creek. Water leaching through the coal <br />piles and fill material may have already increased the salt loading to Fish <br />Creek. However, given the small amount of leachate in comparison to the size <br />of Fish Creek, any increase is very small. Since the issuance of this permit <br />does not include any major new disturbances, the salt loading should not vary <br />significantly. <br />An assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining on <br />the general area has been made. The reader is referred to the Division's <br />Findings of Compliance for the Energy Mine No. 3 (Permit No. C-84-062) for a <br />Cumulative Hydro]ogic Impact Study for the surface water in the Yampa River <br />Drainage Basin above the U.S.G.S. Gaging Station at Hayden and ground water <br />within the Twentymile Park Structural Basin. The probable hydrologic <br />consequences of the Fish Creek Tipple are so limited as to have no bearing on <br />the conclusions of the Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study as presented in the <br />above referenced Findings Document. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c}, the Division finds that the Fish Creek Tipple <br />has been designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance within <br />and adjacent to the proposed permit area. <br />IX. Soils -Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), 4.06 <br />Soils information is found in Section 2.04.9 and Tables 3 and 4 of the permit <br />application. The entire Fish Creek Tipple affected area was disturbed prior <br />to Regulations requiring topsoil salvaging and redistribution operations. <br />Given this, no topsoil was salvaged from this area or is available for <br />redistribution. The operator is proposing to revegetate spoil material which <br />is exposed at the surface after final grading. <br />