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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />Moderated flows will continue to pass through the historic drainages. Recharge of the limited <br />groundwater systems in the mine will not be inhibited and may be enhanced through the use of the above <br />techniques. <br />Groundwater protection, per se, is not necessary in the permit area as essentially no continuous <br />groundwater system exists. Perched aquifers of limited nature will be impacted only in the mine area <br />property. This water will be evaporated. The quantity of groundwater is minimal as evidenced by the lack <br />of water in test holes and the dry active pit. Protection of water quality will also be maintained at the <br />present variable limits through the use of the reclamation procedures listed above. Groundwater will not <br />be affected as the supplies are minimal. Surface water will not be significantly impacted in the mine area. <br />An ongoing monitoring program is maintained by the Colowyo Coal Company to verify the conclusions <br />in the permit application. Sampling stations are maintained and samples collected in accordance with the <br />water monitoring plan approved by the Division. Refer to the annual reclamation reports for results of the <br />sampling program. <br />Flow volumes in the Goodspring Creek Alluvial Valley Floor may be impacted by the Colowyo Mine <br />through exercise of water rights. However, the impact is expected to be minimal as the water rights used <br />are owned by the Colowyo Coal Company and are not an integral part of any ranching or farming <br />operation. The Colowyo Augmentation Plan will mitigate the effects on any other water rights and will <br />provide for flows downstream of the affected area. Quality of water in Good Spring Creek will not be <br />affected by the exercise of the water rights. <br />As discussed under Hydrologic Balance-Permit Area, changes in flow volumes caused by mining and <br />reclamation operations will be less than the accuracy range of present day flow measuring equipment. <br />In summary, the Colowyo Mine will not significantly affect the hydrologic balance or water quality of the <br />general area or the permit area and the affect to the hydrologic balance within the permit area will be <br />insignificant. Temporary increases in TDS and associated common ions are expected to affect quality in <br />backfilled spoils within the permit area. Refer to the Annual Reports for additional information regarding <br />hydrologic monitoring. <br />Protection of Public Parks and Historical Places <br />No public parks are located within the permit or adjacent areas; therefore, no public parks will be affected <br />by the proposed mining operations. Likewise, the proposed mining operations will not effect any places <br />included on or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historical Places. <br />Because no public parks or historic places, included on or eligible for listing on the National Register <br />of Historical Places, will be adversely affected, this Section of the regulations is not applicable to this <br />permit application. <br />Surface Mining Near Underground Mining <br />No surface mining activities within the permit area will be conducted within 500 feet of an underground <br />mine. Map 31, Red Wince provides additional information. <br />Previous underground mining has taken place in the vicinity of the Colowyo operation; this previous <br />mining is discussed in Sections 2.04.3 and 2.04.4. <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-42 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91