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Final Wes[ Elk Mine 2005 Annual Hydrology Report 42 • The Upper Dry Fork monitoring station was submerged by a beaver pond in WY 2002 and remained inoperable throughout WY 2005. In October 2005 MCC commissioned HydroGeo to relocate the Upper Dry Fork monitoring station upstream of the beaver dam and to install a new Parshall flume and a Global Water data logger in an effort to collect more reliable stream flow data at this site. These modifications were implemented in October 2005. In addition, in WY 2005 the Lower Dry Fork and Upper Minnesota Creek flumes were cleaned out and modified to improve flow-through and provide improved flow data. The well casings have collapsed in five monitoring wells SOM-45-H1 (Sept. 2002), SOM-2-H (Jul. 1999), SOM-16-H (Sept. 2000), 96-27-] (Apr. 2002), and So.W-1 (June 2002), so water quality and water level data were not collected from these wells in WY 2005. 7.0 SUMMARY During WY 2005, all aspects of the hydrologic related mining operations at the Project were conducted in accordance with all permit and regulatory compliance stipulations. Based on the surface water, ground water, spring and seep, underdrain, and mine inflow monitoring data collected to date, Project mining operations did not cause any significant impacts to local surface or • ground water resources. As MCC's mining operations shift from the west side of the Project Area to the south and east side, the Project's hydrologic monitoring program will need to be revised accordingly. Anew comprehensive hydrologic monitoring plan was proposed as part of the South of the Divide Permit Revision Application (MCC-2006b). This plan is currently under review by the CDMG. The multi-year drought conditions abated with below, but near normal, precipitation in WY 2003 and WY 2004. Improved climatic conditions in WY 2005 resulted in above average precipitation which gave rise to above average flows in area streams. Spring flows in [he Project Area were higher than the previous five years, but still remain below the historic norm. The static water levels in most of the ground water monitoring wells have remained relatively constant over time, in some cases showing only seasonal variations. However, monitoring wells located above-or down-gradient of active longwall mining operations often show lowered water levels. Since mining commenced in the Box Canyon Panel area water levels in monitoring wells Ol-I1-I and RAV 4b, both located down-gradient of active mining, have dropped between 80 and 100 feet, likely the result of dewatering of the B-Seam. Dewatering of the B-Seam may also be affecting the up-gradient well SOM-3B, where water levels have dropped about 20 feet. Mine • September 2006 HydroGeq Inc.