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• 3.0 Surface Water Information <br />The data collected from Oxbow Mining, LLC (OMLLC) surface water monitoring sites along <br />with the results of laboratory analyses are presented in Exhibit 1-Surface Water Information. <br />The following site discussions are presented from west to east through the OMLLC property. <br />H-1 -Lower Hubbard Creek <br />Surface water monitoring point H-1 is located on Hubbazd Creek, where this perennial stream <br />flows through the western edge of the OMLLC permit area associated with the abandoned but <br />reclaimed Somerset Mine facility area. The most recent surface activity in the area was the <br />reclamation of the lower Hubbazd Creek site in 1996. The H-1 site is utilized as a down gradient <br />site to detect potential changes in stream quality or quantity as a result of mining activities. <br />Hubbard Creek point H-1 was monitored in accordance with the permit requirements. Due to <br />the severe drought conditions, Hubbard Creek continues to exhibit much reduced flow volumes. <br />Other than reduced flow, no significant difference in the 2004 monitoring results from baseline <br />or historical measurements was noted. <br />B-1, B-2 and B-3 -Bear Creek <br />• BB=1 -- Surface water monitoring point B-I -Lower Bear Creek, an ephemeral drainage, is <br />monitored to verify that the Elk Creek mine does not have an adverse affect on the quality of <br />runoff in the drainage. Due to the prevailing drought conditions, during 2004 there was, again, <br />only minimal flow at B-1. <br />No additional retreat mining of D seam occurred under the Bear Creek drainage during 2004. <br />The status of the Bear Creek road is assessed as part of ongoing subsidence monitoring. No <br />adverse effects as a result of mining activities were observed to have occurred to the Bear Creek <br />road. <br />From a historical perspective it is important to remember that the Bear Creek drainage was also <br />undermined by extensive historic mine workings in the B and C seam of the Somerset mine. <br />B-2 and B-3 -- In accordance with the Elk Creek Federal coal lease "Water Replacement Plan" <br />stipulation, surface water monitoring points B-2 and B-3 are monitored for flow twice annually <br />after tributary flow from side channels between the two points has ceased. B-2 corresponds to a <br />mid-Bear creek location roughly corresponding to the south limit of the Elk Creek Federal Coal <br />lease. B-3 corresponds to an upper Bear Creek location roughly corresponding to the north limit <br />of the Elk Creek Federal Coal Lease. Generally, due to the ephemeral nature of Bear Creek and <br />the propensity for flows to cease by late June, flow measurements are obtained in mid-June. <br />The information is collected in order to aid in analyzing 1) potential water depletions and 2) <br />potential for injury to any Bear Creek water rights. Bear Creek flows were very minimal and <br />typically variable. <br />6 <br />