Laserfiche WebLink
Groundwater.• <br />(1) No gravity discharge is anticipated from any the old Somerset Mine portals. <br />Discussions with the staff at Oxbow indicate that well H-10 is associated with the workings in the <br />Somerset Mine and was designed to measure the level of water in those workings to predict the <br />rate of filling. That being the case, the fact that there has been no measurable water in that well <br />for the last three years indicates that the Somerset Mine workings are not filling with water and <br />there will, in fact, be no dischazge. <br />(2) Mine inflow predicted at 235 gpm with a TDS of 2731 mg/l. <br />Data indicate the actual inflow falls well within the predicted values. <br />(3) Localized temporary effects will be noted including altered groundwater flow patterns, <br />depletion of seeps and springs, and an increase in TDS and other species in groundwater. <br />Many springs have diminished flow or have ceased flowing at all. This is interpreted to represent <br />the effects of prolonged drought on springs that are fed mainly by meteoric water, rather than <br />water coming from the bedrock. <br />(4) Subsidence will not cause any changes in surface flow patterns. <br />There is no evidence that this has occurred. Monitoring data from wells in theB-seam and in the <br />Rollins sandstone have diminished, but there appears to be no connection with mining activities. <br />The Division would like to commend the staff at Oxbow Mining LLC for changes in the format <br />of the Annual Hydrology Report. The listing of each monitoring point, summarizing the purpose <br />of that point and the results from the year, is a very positive change. The Division is appreciative <br />of that improvement in the report. <br />If you have any questions, please call me. <br />Sincerely, <br />im Burnell <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Cc: S. Brown <br />