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INTRODUCTION <br />The 1997 Annual Hydrologic Report for the Bear Coal Company, Inc., Bear No. 3 Mine <br />is hereby submitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology. Methods of water sample analysis were consistent with Environmental Protection <br />Agency standard testing procedures. <br />The Bear No. 3 Mine is owned and operated by Bear Coal Company, Inc. The mine is <br />located along the North Fork of the Gunnison River approximately one quarter mine east of <br />Somerset, Colorado, along Colorado State Highway 133. <br />The Bear No. 3 Mine ceased all coal production on November 13, 1996 and the portals <br />were sealed in January 1997. During 1997 reclamation of the mine site was initiated. The <br />stacking tube, reclaim tunnel and truck loadout bin were are dismantled and removed from the <br />site. The mine portals and mine access road was backfilled and seeded. The two warehouses, <br />shop, substation and ventilation fan were dismantled and removed form the site. <br />On November 17, 1997 the DMG was notified of a slide that is located immediately west <br />of the reclaimed Bear No. 3 Mine portals. The slide became active on Saturday, November 15'". <br />Debris from the slide flowed onto the old coal stockpile pad (west of the the reclaimed stacking <br />tube) and into the North Fork of the Gunnison River south of the mine access bridge. Shortly <br />after the slide occurred, water started to flowing from the east side of the slide scarp. <br />Bear believes the water flowing from the east slide scarp originates in MCC's NW Sealed <br />Sump and the flow will probably be perpetual. MCC has acknowledged that flows from its NW <br />sump would be introduced to the Edwards Mine. The water appears to be emerging from an old <br />Edwards Mine B-Seam portal. Bear has never noted any spring, damp spots or any indication of <br />water in this area. Vegetation gives further evidence this area has historically been dry. There <br />are no cattails, willows or other vegetation in this area which would indicate a spring or damp <br />spot. <br />The mine drainage was monitored in accordance with Bear's discharge permit beginning in <br />early December. The monitoring data is presented in this report. <br />RECEIVEC <br />4 f, <br />A' 3 C <br />IJ.11J <br />pivision of Minerals 8 Geology <br /> <br />