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-43- The Mt. Gunnison permit application identified numerous springs in or adjacent to the area to be mined. The application indicates that springs contribute 11 percent of the flow in Lower Dry Fork, 4 percent of the flow in Lick Creek, 12.6 percent of the flow in South Prong, and 0.9 percent of the flow in Horse Creek. Excluding the Sylvester Gulch data, springs could contribute 6.2 percent of the stream flow for the Mt. Gunnison life-of-mine area during the dry part of the year. In a worst-case scenario, where all of the springs dry up, 6.2 percent of the low flow runoff could be lost. In reality, it is probable that not all the springs would be affected and, therefore, reduction of surface flow, although siynificant, would be less than the worst-case scenario. A loss of springflow may not entirely be lost to the hydrologic system. It may temporarily become a part of the ground water system and eventually reemerge at the surface. It is difficult to predict where this water may reemerge. It could reemerge downstream in the same drainage (the Minnesota Creek system), or it could reemerge along the North Fork of the Gunnison after flowing through the mine workings. In the latter case, the impact upon water users located along Minnesota Creek is potentially the greatest. In either case, flow below the confluence of Minnesota Creek and the North Fork of the Gunnison should not be affected. Withdrawal of Water from the North Fork of the Gunnison for Mine Use Streamflows may also be depleted through the withdrawal of water from the stream or the alluvium of the stream for use in the mining operations. Bear Coal Company will utilize 1.15 acre-feet/year of domestic water from the Somerset Domestic Waterworks as drinking water and for sanitary purposes at the No. 3 Mine. Bear is currently negotiating with Colorado Westmoreland for the acquisition of a water right of 4.35 acre-feet/year. This water will be used for dust suppression on roads and for wash down of the mine shop and equipment. Within the mine, the water will be used to cool equipment and for dust suppression. The total estimated consumption of water which is tributary to the North fork River will be 5.5 acre-feet/year. This consumption represents 0.001% of the mean annual flow in the North Fork. Additional minor amounts of water will be consumed through evaporation from the sediment ponds at the mines. The Blue kibbon Mine consumes about 16,010 gallons of water per day (11.12 gpm). This water is pumped from a well completed in the alluvium of Hubbard Creek. This alluvial water is tributary to the flow of water in Hubbard Creek. The water consumption consists of 1,050 gpd for sanitary and domestic use, 9,600 gpd for water adsorbed on the coal from the mine, and 5,360 gpd for dust control and equipment wash down. The total depletion of water tributary to the North Fork of the Gunnison for a 250-day work year will be 12.28 acre-feet/year. This is 0.003% of the mean annual flow in the North Fork.