PERMFILE139282 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

to minimize off site transport of sediment and minimize the amount of upland drainage that contacts the affected area. Additionally, the applicant has specified that water used for this operation will not be taken from the adjacent pond, the adjacent mine workings or from an on-site well (unless a well permit is obtained for this use and a revision to the DMG permit is secured). These measures minimize the disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land and surrounding area and to the quality and quantity of water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and during reclamation as required by Rule 3.1.6. The pond northwest of the site appears to be fed by the draining coal mine adit. The lack of any flow in the drainage adjacent to the pond indicates that the water table is not at the elevation of the pond or mine opening. It appears that the mine intercepts the groundwater table back in the lazge ridge northeast of the site and transports it to the opening. The lack of springs on the proposed mine site or along the drainage that crosses the north portion of the site supports the applicant's statement that no groundwater will be encountered. 9. Comments regarding potential for increased flooding from stormwater runoff. The application does not propose to significantly alter the size of any drainage basins that could lead to increased flooding due to increased flow collecting in a single drainage. The mining plan commits to contemporaneous reclamation so the active affected area is no greater than 6 acres. This method of minimizing the acreage that is stripped of topsoil and vegetation will minimize potential for increased flow or flooding. Increased flooding and runoff from the south facing slopes, due to mining operations, will not occur because the application specifies all mining will take place in a manner that slopes all affected area to the north. 10. Comments that the application does not identify or show the pond and wetlands between the project area and Ward Creek Road The pond and wetlands between the project area and Ward Road are greater than 200 feet from the proposed affected area and identification is not required in the application or shown on the application maps unless they maybe affected by the proposed mining operation. Measures have been specified in the application to minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance. Additionally, the pond and it's corresponding wetlands are bypassed by direct drainage from the proposed mine site. 11. Comments regarding the destabilization and resulting damage possible due to vibration from equipment acting on nearby underground mine workings. To address these concerns the applicant submitted a geotechnical evaluation report prepared by Revey Associates, Inc. DMG agrees with the conclusions of the Revey report indicating that the potential for this proposed mining operation to exacerbate instability of underground coal mine workings resulting in damage to structures on adjacent lands is essentially non-existent. A review of the Revey report and follow-up supporting information, submitted in response to citizen comments received about that report, was conducted by DMG staff and is enclosed with this Rationale. 12. Comments regarding the destabilization and resulting damage possible due to vibration from equipment acting on nearby slopes and c[ifffaces.