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• the lease block showed no correlation among sandstone units <br />within the Barren Member of the Mesaverde Formation (Mt. Gunnison <br />MRP Sec. 2.72). Thus, the volume of water in storage in these <br />sand strata is small and incapable of maintaining even low <br />production for any length of time. <br />More extensive drilling in the vicinity of the mine entry and the <br />future upper waste rock pile further illustrates the lack of <br />continuity within one lithologic. type even for very short <br />distances (Mt. Gunnison MRP, Exhibit 3.2.9.6). <br />Despite the limited potential of groundwater as a resource in the <br />area, an analysis of impacts of mining on groundwater has been <br />• developed. The primary concern with groundwater is the possible <br />impact on springs and the potential for mine water discharge. <br />There are essentially two ways in which mining activities at <br />Mt. Gunnison could affect groundwater. First, construction of <br />mine entries and mining of the coal could cause water to move <br />from formations above the coal seam into the mine. Of particular <br />concern is the role of possible roof collapse and mine subsidence <br />on water-bearing formations above the coal. Second is the <br />possible impact of waste material disposal on groundwater <br />quality. <br /> <br />-29- <br />