Laserfiche WebLink
. Standard Imposed by M.L.R. Regulation 2.05.6(3) <br />Colorado Mined Land Regulation 2.05.6(3) provides for the protection of the hydrological balance, including <br />the protection of surface and ground water quality both within and adjacent to the permit area, the rights of <br />present users to ground and surface water, and the quantity of surface and ground water both within and <br />adjacent to the permit azea, both resulting from mining activities and mine openings. The regulation requires <br />descriptions of plans for control of surface water and ground water through the permit area and adjacent azeas, <br />plan for water treatment and control of discharged water and a determination of the probable hydrologic <br />consequences of the proposed mining activities.. In addition, the regulation requires descriptions of ground and <br />surface water monitoring plans and descriptions of how the monitoring data will be utilized to determine the <br />impact on the hydrologic balance. <br />See the comments presented in the previous section regazding the Standazd imposed by M.L.R. Regulation <br />2.04.7(3) for discussion on the possible impacts to water usage in the area, planned mitigation to protect water <br />rights users, and the expectation that there will be no interruption to nearby water supplies. <br />• Based on the available information, the water quality of the ground and surface water systems are not expected <br />to be significantly diminished by mining activities and mine openings because: (1) the mining activities and <br />mine openings will not intercept surface water features, (2) the low permeability of the Vermejo Formation <br />materials will minimize ground water flow to the mine and effectively protect the ground water system adjacent <br />to the mine, (3) water discharged from the mine will be impounded and controlled. <br />The existing monitoring program for ground water includes depth to water level measurements and water <br />quality sampling. The surface water monitoring program includes dischazge measurements and water quality <br />sampling. The locations and monitoring parameters were determined with the input of the Division of Minerals <br />and Geology, and were determined to be adequate. The monitoring program is currently operational, and <br />therefore, the program is collecting pre-mining baseline data. These baseline data can be used as a basis for <br />comparison for data collected during and after mining, to determine if any changes in water quality or quantity <br />occur in or adjacent to the permit azea. There aze no significant aquifers in the mine permit area, due to the <br />low permeability of the coal seams, and other geologic units; and discontinuous nature of the deposits. If <br />changes occur and aze determined to be problematic, the monitoring program data will provide an early <br />• -23- <br />