PERMFILE134290

• Permit No: C1981038
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Section_Exhibit Name: VOLUME 4-SURFACE WATER APPENDIX- EAST ROATCAP CREEK
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• 3.4 Ground Water Monitoring
In addition to the ongoing ground water monitoring program,
we recommend the following monitoring:
o Monthly water level measurements in the newly
installed monitoring wells and piezometers,
prior, during and at least through the spring
season following the completion of
construction;
o Quarterly water quality sample collection in
monitoring well SM-10, located upstream of
the construction.
3.5 Probable Hydrologic Consequences
The proposed construction of the portal bench in the East
Roatcap Creek drainage was designed in a way that minimizes
impacts on the local ground water regime. Excavation, mostly in
the unsaturated portion of colluvium, will not impact ground
water in the colluvium or bedrock. Only during entry driving,
approximately 300 feet from the portals, will the tunnels reach
the saturated portion of the "D" coal seam. The low
transmissivity of the coal Seam will prevent any significant
• water inflow into the entries. Volumes of probable water inflow
into the entries were calculated for driving tunnels through the
coal seam under unconfined and confined conditions. The
calculated quantity of water inflow into the tunnels indicates
that no water discharge from the workings is anticipated. Most
of the volume of water seeping into the entries would evaporate
or will be used for dust control in the deeper sections of the
mine.
No impacts on ground water quality is anticipated during
construction, the life of the mine or after reclamation of the
site. The valley fill will be composed mostly of colluvium where
no significant concentration of soluble toxic materials are
anticipated. The same assumption applies for a small volume of a
mostly weathered bedrock which will be used for the fill.
After termination of mining activities in the Orchard Valley
mine, the mine entries will be sealed and the portal bench
excavated and the site returned to approximately pre-mining
conditions.
It is possible to conclude that the proposed construction of
the portal bench and the driving of entries will have an
insignificant affect on the local ground water regime and that no
material damage to local water users is probable from the
proposed mining activites.
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