2007-12-17_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981020

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The ground water monitoring program is addressed in Section 2.6 of the application text, the parameter list is presented in Table 2.5-2, and monitoring site locations are shown on Figure 2.3-5. Adequate baseline data characterizing the hydrogeology of the permit and adjacent areas was provided in the original permit application, summarized in Section 4.4 of the application text. Drilling in the area indicates the presence of a saturated zone within the Cameo seam (Figure 4.4-1). Data indicates that the Carbonera seam, which overlies the Cameo seam, also becomes progressively saturated to the northeast of the five-year permit area. The zone of saturation in the Cameo seam is probably recharged at the point where the Cameo seam subcrops below the East Salt Creek alluvium, approximately three miles upstream of the mine. Very little recharge of water in coal seams and sandstones occurs along the outcrops due to the low annual precipitation rate (8.8 inches) and the steep slopes, which favor runoff over infiltration. The applicant did not establish monitoring wells in strata overlying the underground mine workings prior to mining. This was due to the relative inaccessibility of the characteristically steep terrain within the mine area to truck-mounted drill rigs. Previous exploration drill holes in the area of the McClane Canyon Mine have been dry to a depth in excess of 200 feet below the Cameo seam. The Cameo seam's associated roof and floor strata are not saturated in the area of the mine. The mine is not a recharge area for these strata (see Figure 4.4-1 and Appendix G). The Munger Canyon Mine is located updip of the McClane Canyon Mine, which suggests that similar conditions likely prevail in the Munger permit area. No water was encountered in the mine during initial mining operations; the mine portals have been sealed and mine disturbances have been largely reclaimed as of December 2007. No further mining is proposed or approved. There has been no discharge of water from the mine, and no future discharge is anticipated. An alluvial ground water aquifer has been identified along East Salt Creek. Monitoring wells established in the alluvium indicate that alluvial water levels fluctuate seasonally in response to flow in East Salt Creek, which in turn fluctuates primarily in response to flow in tributary ephemeral streams. Data collected by the applicant from the Salt Creek alluvial aquifer thus far indicate a sodium system, as would be expected. No significantly adverse affects on ground water resources are anticipated from the proposed underground mining activities. A monitoring program is in place to monitor the effects of operations at the Munger Canyon Mine, and the McClane Canyon Mine, which is located further up the East Salt Creek drainage. The permit application contains East Salt Creek alluvium baseline ground water monitoring data for three calendar quarters of 1981. In order to accurately determine seasonal fluctuations and describe the essential hydrologic functions of the East Salt Creek AVF, the 25