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occur during the permit term are discussed in this section followed by an <br />assessment of cumulative hydrologic impacts. Surface water and ground water <br />are considered separately in each discussion. <br />Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br />Effects on Surface Water <br />The surface water effects discussed are related only to Bolton Draw, as this <br />is the only receiving stream for waters leaving the Canadian Strip Mine site. <br />Probable hydrologic consequences are limited to a change in the timing of <br />stream flow and minor changes in water quality as a result of the sediment <br />ponds located on the mine site. It is not expected that the total amount of <br />water will be reduced significantly by evaporation of water contained in the <br />ponds. More likely there will be only a change in the timing of runoff <br />leaving the mine site as a result of temporary storage and detention of runoff <br />in the two detention ponds. <br />Surface water quality effects due to mining were identified as a potential for <br />increased salt loading. The extent of mining has been decreased from that <br />originally proposed, as Pit 2 will not be developed. The pumpage of pit water <br />with elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations relative to surface <br />water levels will not occur as originally projected. With the continued <br />establishment of vegetation on previously reclaimed portions of the mine site, <br />and the additional reclamation activities which will occur during the permit <br />term, the effects on surface water quality are considered to be negligible. <br />Effects on Ground Water <br />During mining, the Canadian Strip Mine open pit induced inflows from the <br />undisturbed Sudduth Coal, as well as the adjacent underburden and overburden. <br />The inflow to the pit from these sources was estimated to be less then two <br />gallons per minute. This inflow has locally lowered, and may continue to <br />lower the potentiometric surface in these units. It is not thought that this <br />depletion of head will be areally extensive due to the relatively impermeable <br />nature of these units. Over time it appears that the inflow to the inactive <br />pit (pit No. 1) stabilizes to the point where loss to evaporation is equaled <br />but not exceeded by aquifer inflows, as evidenced by the relatively constant <br />water level in pit No. 1. <br />The hydrologic consequences of the mining operation during the previous permit <br />term were minimal. Some inflow to the currently open pit were realized, <br />however due to the hydrogeologic characteristics of the Sudduth Coal and its <br />under- and overburden, inflow was minimal. As no water supply wells are <br />completed in these units, no impacts to local water users have been observed. <br />Furthermore, no springs em4'rtating from these units in the area of the mine <br />have been identified. The currently open pit is spatially removed from the <br />Bolton Draw alluvium, therefore, no inflows from or depletion of this aquifer <br />has occurred. <br />The probable hydrologic consequences of implementation of the proposed <br />reclamation plan during the forthcoming permit term are limited. <br />13 <br />