2000-02-10_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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3. Twenty-five springs have been located in the Rapid Creek Basin. All of these springs are outside the subsidence angle of draw. None of the springs overlie present or planned underground mine workings. Mining will not affect the natural springs. 4. There are seven reservoirs in the Rapid Creek Basin, all outside the boundaries of the permit area. The Bureau of Land Management has stated, and the Division agrees,that six will not be affected by coal mining in the area. Cabin Reservoir, which is located outside of the permit area,adjacent to the southeast corner of the South Portals mine plan area,could possibly be impacted by subsidence if future mining were to occur within the immediately adjacent portions of the permit area. However, coal extraction operations were suspended for an indefinite time period in the South Portals mine area in January, 1997, and that status has not changed to date (February,2000). Mine workings are separated by over a mile from the reservoir, and no further mining is currently proposed within the South Portals mine area(see Exhibit 5,Mine Plan Life of Operations). The permittee has committed on page 20- 11 of the permit application to modify the subsidence control and mitigation plan as necessary, prior to resumption of operations within the South Portals mine area. 5. Consumptive use of water at the Roadside Mine consists of domestic water used at the surface facilities and preparation plant, mine water used at the preparation plant, applied to underground roadways, and adsorbed to the coal and refuse, and water from the Highline Canal used for dust suppression on surface roads. Quantities of water consumed at the mine are reported annually in the Annual Hydrologic Report. Quantities consumed during water year 1992 were as follows: Gallons Used Location Used Domestic Water 1,397,000 Surface Facilities 2,150,000 Preparation Plant Mine Water 3,350,000 Mining 3,150,000 Preparation Plant 750,000 Underground Roads Highline Canal 1,170,000 Surface Roads The operator has shown appropriate documentation of right for water consumption. Domestic water is supplied by Palisade Domestic Water. All sediment ponds in the permit area are designed to retain less than ten acre-feet of water. The largest designed pond is Pond 6, with a maximum capacity of 3.95 acre-feet. This pond has a primary spillway with a gated valve which allows for dewatering of the pond as soon as the discharge can meet effluent limits. Any water that may be detained in the sediment ponds is not put to any beneficial use. The sewage treatment lagoons are designed to treat 0.24 acre-feet within a two-week period. No water rights are required for 32