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EFFECT OF THE MINES ON THE EAST SALT CREEK REGIME <br />Surface Water <br />Due to the limited disturbance of the mines, there is little chance that any significant <br />effect on the quantity or quality of the surface waters near either mine sites has occurred. <br />As the Division notes in its approval package for the Munger Canyon Mine, the total area <br />that will be disturbed by both mine sites amounts to 0.12 percent of the area of the East <br />Salt Creek drainage basin above the mines. <br />Surface water samples from East Salt Creek during the 2000 water year were obtained in <br />all four quarters. Results from all water samples collected in 2000 are presented in Table <br />4. The results from samples collected from East Salt Creek above and below the mine <br />site are generally the same for all parameters. <br />The sample sites on McClane Creek were dry all four quarters. <br />Groundwater <br />Table 5 shows the results of groundwater sampling during 2000. The average static <br />water level for the baseline years of 1981 and 1986 is also shown. Results of quality <br />sampling are consistent with the results from previous years. GW-4 in close proximity to <br />a hay field that is irrigated during dry periods and in danger of being eroded with an <br />oxbow, has been replace with GW-3. GW-3 is located adjacent to the road south of GW- <br />4 and should be outside of the influence of the irrigation of the hay field. Refer to Figure <br />4.2-2 of the McClane Canyon Permit. DMG has approved this substitution. <br />Pood Discharges <br />There were no discharges from either the sediment pond at McClane or the sediment trap <br />at Munger Canyon. <br />PROBABLE HYDROLOGIC CONSEQUENCES <br />The mines will have negligible effect upon the hydrologic regime of East Salt Creek. <br />The area disturbed is small, sedimentation and surface water systems have functioned <br />well for over ten years. The inherent poor quality of surface water in the area is the result <br />of site specific environmental factors not from any impact caused by the mines. <br />Most storm events that have exceeded the design criteria required by DMG have not been <br />a problem for the system to handle. The effect that the mine has on the groundwater <br />hydrology of East Salt Creek has not yet been detected. <br />4 <br />