Laserfiche WebLink
Potential Mining Impacts on Local Water Rights. A description of the surface and ground wafer <br />rights, as well as unrighted water sources within and around the Seneca II-W complex including <br />the South expansion area are contained in Tab 16-1 (revised) and entitled "Water Rights and <br />Alternative Water Supplies". Subsequent to submittal of the original permit, although most <br />water right descriptions have remained the same, some changes have occurred. Tables 16-1 <br />and 16-2 present the water rights information for both the Seneca II-W and II-W South areas <br />respectively. The changes, however, would not require additional augmentation as a result of <br />the addition of the Seneca II-W South area. SCC's water augmentation plan, along with other <br />water rights documents, is presented in Appendix 16-1. The water rights affected by mining <br />were included in Tab 16-A, Table 5 entitled "Pertinent Water Rights". This table has been <br />updated for the southern area and is included in Tab 16, Table 16-3, Pertinent Water Rights, <br />Seneca II-W South Mine. <br />Additional information is contained in Tab 15, Hydrologic Monitoring Plan, and Tab 18, <br />Hydrologic Reclamation Plan, pertaining to ground and surface water sources that have been or <br />would be monitored for potential impacts from the mining operation. Should any proposed or <br />ongoing monitoring show that impacts, particularly pit inflow drawdowns, to the ground water <br />systems are precluding its use, SCC would provide alternative water sources of comparable <br />quantity and quality. <br />Three water rights, one ground water and two surface water rights, were secured by SCC for <br />the life of the Seneca II-W Mine. The Seneca II-W South area contains no pre-existing water <br />sources with registered water rights, however some unrighted sources have been identified. <br />These sources include Ponds 016, 016a and 017, and upper Hubberson Gulch. <br />Removal of Wells and Ponds by Mining <br />There are no registered water wells within the permit area of the Seneca II-W South area. Water <br />well search information is provided in Tab 16, No existing ponds with water rights will be <br />removed due to the mining activity as noted in Tab 16. <br />Pit Pumoage Drawdown Effects on Adjacent Water Users <br />The existing permit predicts that the maximum radius of influence due to Wadge pit de-watering will be <br />285 feet (radial distance) from a pit fora 1 foot drawdown. This drawdown was calculated using the <br />Theis equation and will occur in 2003. The calculated maximum drawdown for pit de-watering in the <br />Sage CreeklWolf Creek area is estimated to be 1,441 feet (radial distance) from a pit fora 1 foot <br />drawdown and is expected to occur in 2010. No pre-existing water sources with registered water <br />rights including water wells were identified in the Seneca II-W South area, therefore there are no <br />possible impacts to these rights from the pit pumpage. The maximum radius of influence for 1 foot of <br />drawdown over the predicted South area life-of-mine will not extend beyond the permit boundary. <br />95 Revised 1/02 <br />