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<br />• reg::rdles: of the lcn,ch of th~~ path foll.o~:ed by tt;c water <br /> [hrou~h th e spoi]> or the total time [hc water is is con- <br /> tact faith the spoils. Tiie dissolved <br />• solids load contribu- <br />1 <br />1 ted to the Colorado River, hrnaever, is the product of the <br />1 <br />dissolved <br />solids concentration and t <br />he rate of grow;zd- <br />water discharge. Discharge over the long-term can be <br />equated to ground-water recharge, a factor [hat can be <br />significantly altered by mining methods and recla-ation <br />practices. <br />Conditions attached to the lease should stipulate that <br />mining methods should incorporate provision for ce-.patting <br />the upper surface of the spoil materials through :which <br />most recharge to the ground-water system must occur in <br />this area. Satisfactory compaction sufficient to reduce <br />recharge to acceptable limits probably could be acieved <br />by leveling the spoils, etc., with rubber-tired rather <br />than track-type equipment, provided that these operations <br />are undertaken at a time when spoil moisture content is <br />sufficient to achieve good compaction. It is not suggested <br />here that the mining method be changed from a dragline to <br />a [ruck-shovel operation which would be inconsistent with <br />on-going operations and available equipment. <br />Perhaps more importa:lt, the final surface should not pond <br />water for protracted periods such as in reservoirs, check <br />dams, contour tre~~ches, pits, etc., so as to enliarce local <br />'saturation and movement of ground water to depth (see <br />1~i5 <br />