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• No seasonal variation of these waters have been observed. The monitor wells are not <br />pumped; consequently no changes in water quality has been observed. During the next <br />four quarters the three existing wells will be pumped and tested to more fully <br />characterize the groundwater. Prior to mining two additional holes will be drilled to <br />test the depth and quality of the coal seams. As these wells are drilled, the water <br />encountered will be tested for quality and quantity. This information will be added to <br />the baseline information in this permit. Well 82-5 was destroyed as the mining <br />progressed to the north and is no longer available for any use in monitoring. <br />There are no known uses of the water in these three water bearing zones. Based on <br />current drilling information, there is no free water table. The permittee is the owner of <br />any and all groundwater resources by virtue of its surface ownership. <br />Groundwater quality analyses for the water samples taken from drill holes 176 and 82- <br />5 are contained in Table 4-2. <br />Recovery analyses were attempted on the water bearing zones at Wells 17B and 82-5. <br />The data for Well 17B is illustrated on Table 4-3 and Figure 4-2. The results yielded a <br />transmissivity value for the monitored zone of 0.01 gpd/ft. The zone is considered too <br />small for consideration of recharge and storage characteristics and for beneficial use. <br />• The recovery analysis for drill hole 82-5 was also attempted, but the standard <br />procedure of bailing the water from the hole with air pressure failed to lower the <br />original static water level at 90.9 feet below the surface. At 316 feet (TD) water <br />production was measured at 50 gpm (± 5 gpm). The expected inflow to the pit from <br />this water bearing zone has been projected to approximate the following flow rates. <br />Boundaries are assumed to occur at the drainage divide 5,200 feet northeast of the <br />north pit boundary, and the Animas River 5,500 feet southwest of the south pit <br />boundary. The recharge area is the permeable strata overlying the Carbonera and <br />Shamrock coal seams and their outcrops. As the coal is mined, most of the water will <br />drain into the pit and become part of the pit discharge pumped into Sediment Pond No. <br />1. Water retained in the coal and removed with the coal during the mine operation will <br />presumably become a small portion of the water utilized for coal crushing. The water <br />zone intercepted in Hole 82-4 has been estimated to yield up to 150 gpm of water, <br />utilizing the drill rig air pressure system. Oakridge has obtained a well permit and <br />associated conditional water rights for beneficial use of this water. The boundaries are <br />assumed to be the same as those set forth above. The rechazge area is likely restricted <br />to the outcrop and subcrops of this zone. <br />Use of these waters by the mine operations should not cause damage to existing surface <br />water and well rights. The Animas River is not over-appropriated. The nearest water <br />well is to Hoverman well drilled 192(?) feet deep (See Table 4-4). The rock strata <br />• slated for disturbance dips southeast at an average dip of 27° (See Geologic Map 4-2). <br />Technical Revision 09 (v 1.0) 411 Revised 3/1998 <br />