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The Wadge coal is in a confined condition in most of the wells which have been <br />monitored. At well GW-42-S2W-5W, a downdip well due west of the south pit <br />area, the Wadge appears to be semi-confined. While pumping this well, drawdown <br />was observed in an adjacent overburden completion well. This observation <br />indicates that there is, at this location, a hydrologic connection between the Wadge <br />and the overburden. <br />Aquifer tests were performed at two wells. One well failed during the test. The <br />transmissivity calculated at the other well was 0.03 ft2 per day, while storativity has <br />been estimated to be on the order of 1 X 10'. <br />Six wells have been sampled for water quality characteristics, five within or <br />adjacent to the original permit area and one within the south extension area <br />(4W). 4W has been dry since 2002. Due to safety concerns because of <br />proximity to the highwall, it was abandoned in August 2003 and will be <br />replaced in 2004. Typically, the quality of Wadge seam water varies from place <br />to place. Generally, sulfate, manganese and total dissolved solids exceed both U.S. <br />EPA and National Academy of Sciences recommended drinking water criteria. <br />These criteria may be found in Volume 3, Tab 7, Table 7-13, Page 7-34 of the <br />permit application. These waters are unsuitable for use as a drinking supply, but <br />may be used for livestock watering. These waters also pose a high salinity hazard <br />to intolerant plants, and therefore may be unsuitable for use as irrigation water. <br />Wadge Coal Overburden <br />Six wells are used to monitor water quality and/or depth to water in the <br />Williams Fork Formation overburden above the Wadge coal seam. Two of the <br />wells, 4OV 1 and 4OV2 were down-gradient wells in the south extension area. <br />Both of these wells have been recently abandoned. A replacement Wadge <br />overburden well will be drilled in 2004. <br />The Williams Fork is a 50 to 500 feet thick sequence of sandstone, siltstone, shale, <br />and thin coal, including the Lennox Coal Seam. Ground water in the Williams <br />Fork tends to flow downdip. The movement of water and the horizontal extent of <br />the formation is limited by outcrops in the eastern and central parts of the permit <br />area. <br />Generally, the Williams Fork is found to be in an unconfined state, however, <br />locally or seasonally the formation may exhibit semi-confined conditions. Seasonal <br />fluctuations are probably the result of recharging and dewatering a perched aquifer <br />within the formation. <br />Seneca R-W Findings Document 33 November 17, 2004 <br />Permit Revision No. 4 <br />