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The evaporation of water in the sediment ponds will cause an increase in total <br />dissolved solids in surface waters. Surface water also will gain increased total <br />dissolved solids by flowing through the disturbed areas. These increases in total <br />dissolved solids will not exceed NPDES requirements prior to discharge. Also, any <br />increased TDS levels will be diluted by the flows in the Animas River. Sediment levels <br />will be reduced through the sediment control system and thus will not impact water <br />quality supplying the alluvial valley floor. <br />The quantity of ground water will not be degraded due to mining and any discharge <br />from aquifers is an insignificant contribution to the water supplying the alluvial valley <br />floor and impacts to water quality will be mitigated by the dilution of this water by the <br />larger stream flows in the Animas River. <br />3. Rule 4.24 <br />The Division finds that the reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the <br />essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. No mining operations will be <br />conducted on the Animas River alluvial valley floor and the impact to the quality and <br />quantity of ground and sutface waters supplying the Animas River AVF will not cause <br />material damage, given the present reclamation plan. The Division finds that activities <br />proposed by the applicant will not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the <br />alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally subirrigated (4.24.3(1)). <br />17