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due to the small area of mining. <br />The steep dip of the beds at the Eastside Mine results in the E Seam being at a depth of more <br />than 6,000 feet below the land surface at a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet basinward <br />(southwest) from the mine. This depth would prevent any significant amount of bedding- <br />parallel migration of underground mine water from the downdip side of the mine workings, <br />as sumped water would not create enough head to overcome the relatively large hydraulic <br />pressure at depth. <br />There were no detectable impacts to ground water at the Eastside Mine as documented in the <br />mine's annual hydrology reports from 1984 through 2002 (monitoring ceased in 2002.) This <br />historical record and the inability of Bumped water to migrate from the underground mine <br />water indicates that pollution of ground water from mining at Eastside is unlikely. This <br />conclusion is consistent with the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the permit <br />application which predicted negligible impacts to ground water. The inability of sumped <br />water to migrate from the workings also indicates the mine does not have the potential to <br />negatively impact ground water quality and, therefore, is in compliance with the Basic <br />Standards for Ground Water (Colorado Water Quality Control Regulation 41.S.C.6). <br />Surface Water Impacts <br />The only surface water feature that would receive runoff from the Eastside Mine surface <br />disturbance is the channel of Harvey Gap drainage. The only surface water from the Eastside <br />Mine that would reach Harvey Gap drainage is surface runoff from rain or snowmelt, and <br />underground mine water discharging from the portal drainpipe. <br />The volume of runoff from rain and snowmelt from the disturbed area is small because this area <br />covers only 12 acres. Surface runoff from the disturbed area can be expected to be alkaline and <br />free of contaminants, as there are no leachate-forming materials on the land surface. The quality <br />of this runoff should be closely similar to runoff from surrounding undisturbed lands, and <br />therefore, does not have the potential to degrade surface waters in Harvey Gap drainage. <br />The portal drainpipe has not discharged for several years. It is possible that it could discharge <br />during extended wet periods, when the natural flow and the dilutional capacity of Harvey Gap are <br />at a maximum. Based on historical data, the mine water discharge would comprise less than 1 <br />of the natural flow in Harvey Gap and would therefore not adversely impact surface water <br />quality. <br />Sediment Pond SP-1 was reclaimed in December of 2001 under the approved ongoing <br />reclamation activities. The sole outfall for Colorado Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) <br />Discharge Permit COG850019 was the outlet of the sediment pond. On January 3, 2002, <br />Eastside Coal Company requested WQCD terminate its permit. On January 25, 2002, Eastside <br />informed the WQCD of the company's intention to not renew its discharge permit. <br />Eastside Mine Page 9 October 31, 2007 <br />Phase III Bond Release <br />