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Marro and Associa-es, LC <br />• 2.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW <br />2.1 Purpose of Investigation <br />The purpose of this investigation is to perform a comprehensive hydrogeologic <br />characterization of the West Elk Mine permit and adjacent areas in order to prepare <br />recommendations for revisions [o the current water monitoring program and to determine <br />what sites will be added in the future. The hydrogeologic characterization is the topic of this <br />report and recommendations for monitoring plan revisions are included as a separate <br />document. The hydrogeologic characterization is based on 1) a synthesis of existing <br />hydrogeologic information, 2) new isotopic data collected as part of this investigation, and 3) <br />the results of the in-mine, fault-related, groundwater inflow investigation (Mayo and <br />Associates, 1998). Proposed revisions to [he monitoring plan are based on this <br />• hydrogeologic characterization and our review of the existing monitoring plan. <br />This hydrogeologic characterization includes the evaluation of the shallow groundwater <br />systems in each geologic formation, deep groundwater systems, including those encountered <br />within the West Elk Mine. Also described are the recharge and discharge locations for the <br />various groundwater systems and interactions between the shallow groundwater systems with <br />the deep groundwater systems. <br />2.2 Methods of Investigation <br />The hydrology and hydrogeology of the lease area have been evaluated by analyzing: 1) <br />surface water and groundwater discharge data, 2) piezometric data, 3) solute and isotopic <br />• <br />Characterization of Groundwater Systems in the Vicinity of the West Elk Mme, Somerset, Colorado <br />29 January 1999 <br />Page 6 <br />