2009-01-23_REVISION - C1980007 (3)

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units. These beds would more likely undergo ductile deformation (bed bending), rather than brittle deformation (bed fracturing). Stream flows • and local channel elevations will continue to be monitored in the permit area, as set forth in the permit application. Subsidence magnitudes of stock ponds will also be monitored. Specific measures MCC will employ for assessing and protecting the Minnesota Creek water supply are described in Exhibit 58 of the permit application titled, "Protection of Minnesota Creek Water Supply." Possible subsidence impacts to streams and ponds are discussed in the following Subsidence Control section. Underground mine workings will come within 800 ft. of the Monument Dam and Minnesota Reservoir. MCC explains in Section 2.05.6(6) of the permit application that the reservoir probably will not be affected by mining because the dam and reservoir are outside the predicted angle of draw and a subsidence control plan will be implemented for mitigating possible impacts from mining-induced seismicity. (Possible subsidence impacts to the dam and reservoir and mitigation measures are described in the following discussion of the subsidence control plan.). MCC's surface water monitoring plan is described in Exhibit 71 for the South of Divide and Dry Fork lease areas, and in Section 2.04 of the permit application for other areas. As of late 2008, MCC monitors surface water quantity and quality at 22 stream stations, comprised of 10 • stations with continuous recording and 12 stations with instantaneous recording. A minimum of one year of monthly baseline data has been collected on all streams prior to mining in a watershed 3. Summary and Findings The Division has reviewed the Probable Hydrologic Consequences due to mining operations for the groundwater and surface water systems at the West Elk Mine. The Division finds that underground mining at the West Elk Mine will not cause material damage outside the permit area and hydrologic impacts will be minimized within the permit area. (2.07.6(2)(c)). IV. Topsoil Baseline soils information can be found in Section 2.04.9 in Volume 1 in the permit document. A suitability analyses of the topsoil was performed before the site was disturbed. In most areas topsoil quality as seedbed material is considered moderate to good, with a few areas that are considered poor. Soil mapping and physical descriptions of the soil are based on SCS soil surveys completed for the area. The operator's topsoil salvage and redistribution plan can be found in Section 2.05.4. Topsoil and subsoil stockpiles are shown on Map 53. is 39