2009-01-14_PERMIT FILE - C1996083A (2)

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2.04.7 Hydrology Description . The Jenkins Ditch No. 1 and 2 do not have headgates. Their source of water is apparently seeps from the Fire Mountain Canal. The Stephens Ditch is unknow to the Water Commissioner. It is apparently a ditch that at one time derived its flow from Stephens gulch. The main source of water for the Lennox Ditch and Stewart ditch is the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Both ditches are located south of the River so surface run-off from the mine site is not a concern. The source of water for the Terror Ditch is Terror Creek and Terror Creek Reservoir. The source of water for the Terror Creek Reservoir is Alder Creek, a tributary of Hubbard Creek. The quality of water in the Fire Mountain Canal and Deer Trail Ditch could be adversely affected by surface run-off from the mine site. However, because run- offfrom the disturbed areas will be passed through one of three sediment ponds or treated with alternative sedimentation control, any potential adverse affect related to the mine operation will be eliminated or at least minimized. The quality of water in the Fire Mountain Canal and Deer Trail ditch could also be adversely affected by mine-water discharge from the B-Seam or D-Seam. If continuous mine discharge were to occur from either or both Seams, the effluent would need to be piped over or around the Deer Trail Ditch and the Fire Mountain Canal to avoid any potential quality degradation. Industrial use of water in the permit and adjacent area is restricted to the use by the Terror Creek loadout. The loadout obtains its water from a well and the Fire Mountain Canal. The mine's potential impact on both of these water sources is discussed above. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) considers any consumptive use of water by the mine to deplete the flow in the Colorado River. Water depletions in the Upper Colorado River Basin have been recognized as a major source of impact to endangered fish species (USFWS 2/93). The Operator will agree to implement the conservation measures that the USFWS believe are necessary to offset this impact. Wildlife use of water in the permit and adjacent areas is for subsistence. Wildlife use the perennial streams, springs and ponds. It is possible the mine could impact some of the springs or ponds. If this impact occurs, the Operator will mitigate this water loss by constructing or repairing pond(s) and augmenting the flow with water from the mine or from the Deer Trail Ditch. In the event that contamination, diminution, or interruption in the underground or surface water supplies result from coal mining operations, the following protective measures would be followed. PR-10 2.04 - 37 - 09/26/08 ~ ~~RovEl~ ~i/ay~a8'