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Short term water losses to the White River due to evaporative loss from sediment ponds and pumping of water from the White River Lagoon for mining and coal processing use. Projected losses deemed insignificant. Temporary increases in suspended solids and chemical parameters associated with increased sediment load in early phases of construction. Longer term impacts mitigated by sediment control practices, covering waste material with 4 feet of non toxic cover, and distance of disturbed areas from surface water sources. Long term impact concerns with regard to subsidence related dewatering of Red Wash and Scullion Gulch. Monitoring of Red Wash segment over longwall panels showed that subsidence cracks were quickly filled in by sediment, and the channel was not significantly altered. The subsidence monitoring plan calls for monitoring of the first room and pillar area (RP1) using "state of the art analytical photogrammetry." The findings document states that mining of RP1 is not scheduled in the near future. It appears that this will change due to the recent mine fire, however, and RP1 will probably be mined during this permit term. Ground Water Only localized impacts projected, with no significant impact on a regional basis due primarily to small quantity of ground water in the area. Ground water inflow during mining average 50 gpm, with short duration flows of 100-300 gpm in areas fractured by caving of roof material. After completion of mining, ground water levels will slowly reestablish premining levels as the workings fill and caved areas become saturated. There will be a temporary period in which ground water discharge to the White River is reduced, until the workings are flooded and equilibrium is reestablished. Potential impacts to the White River are projected to be very minor. it is uncertain whether outflow through the coal seam from the flooded workings will exceed inflow. If outflow does not exceed inflow, then some discharge from the mine portals (which are updip in the mine) may occur. Reclamation plan calls for bulkhead seals to minimize the possibility of discharge out of the portals. Ground water impacts from coal refuse disposal are insignificant due to relatively impermeable nature of the compacted refuse and depth to ground water in the disposal area. Water infiltrating fill in the portal areas should have no impact on the bedrock aquifer system, though some water which infiltrates the fill may discharge to Scullion gulch. Due to the limited affected area relative to the drainage basin, this would be a very minor contribution to flow in the gulch.