Laserfiche WebLink
Chapter IV <br /> Formation and do not intend to initiate work on this unit <br /> for at least 2 years. The lack of data on the Mesaverde <br /> Formation (with the exception of the work done by <br /> Brogden and Giles USGS Water Resources <br /> Investigation 76-70) was further confirmed by USGS <br /> Personnel. The estimates of transmissivity (ranging <br /> from 10-2 to 1 foot per day) and estimates of specirfic <br /> yields (ranging from 5%to 7%) were based upon an <br /> evaluation of the grain size distribution of the major <br /> sands in the formations, upon notations made on <br /> exploratory drilling records concerning water production <br /> from this unit, and upon records of water production <br /> from the mine. These values were not arrived at <br /> analytically; however, we feel they are reasonable <br /> figures for the Mesaverde Formation. For reasons <br /> previously discussed, we do not feel the construction of <br /> 1,000 to 3,000 foot deep wells west of Huntsman Ridge <br /> to gather transmissivity data is justified. It is expected <br /> that environmental damage caused by the construction <br /> of access roads, and by the drilling operations would far <br /> exceed any potential damage to the Mesaverde aquifer <br /> caused by mining." <br /> "Although this discussion does not provide all the data <br /> requested by the state, all the available data were <br /> presented in our report. We hope this discussion <br /> clarifies some of the points brought up in the adequacy <br /> review and presents a justification for not pursuing <br /> additional drilling and test well development in the <br /> Mesaverde Formation." <br /> Other units of the Mesaverde that lie above the mineable coal seams, such as <br /> mudstones, siltstones, etc. predominate in the formation and are not considered <br /> aquifers. <br /> 2. Description of Worst Possible <br /> Consequences Which Subsidence <br /> Could Have on Structures and <br /> Renewable Resource Lands. <br /> a. Description of Pre and Post Mining Land <br /> Uses of the Permit and Adjacent Areas. <br /> 28 <br />