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groundwater flow through the alluvium will be further diluted by the greater flow in <br />the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Flow in the river (at record low flow) is <br />estimated to be nearly 130 times greater than the groundwater flow through the <br />alluvium. <br />As previously noted, a spring has been flowing from the hillside in the vicinity of the <br />Edwards Mine Portal. This spring water is being diverted to the spring water treatment <br />pond which, then, discharges directly into the North Fork of the Gunnison River via a <br />4 inch flexible pipe. This discharge must meet all applicable water quality standards. <br />A renewal of the permit for this discharge is pending with the Colorado Department of <br />Public Health and Environment. The operator has included in the Probable Hydrologic <br />Consequences section of the permit application an analysis of the hydrologic impact <br />that this spring water would have on the water quality of the North Fork of the <br />Gunnison River. Taking into account the flow and the total dissolved solids of the <br />river, the spring and a hypothetical Bear No. 3 Mine water discharge, the total <br />dissolved solids of the river would increase from 140 mg/l to 154 mg/l. Under these <br />conditions, the impact of the spring water on the quality of the water of the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison River is considered to be slight. <br />4. Conclusion <br />An assessment of the probable hydrologic consequences of the mining operation and <br />an assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining in the <br />general area on the hydrologic balance has been made. This document entitled <br />"Cumulative Hydrologic Impacts of Mining to the North Fork of the Gunnison River" <br />is on file at the Division offices and may be reviewed during normal business hours. <br />The document was updated in Permit Renewal No. 3 to incorporate additional <br />anticipated impacts. No updates to the document were needed for Permit Renewal No. <br />5. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the Division finds that the Bear No. 3 Mine operation <br />has been designed to minimize hydrologic impacts within the permit boundary, and to <br />prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. <br />IV. Topsoil <br />No topsoil was recovered from the historically disturbed areas of the Bear No. 3 Mine. <br />Approximately 15 inches of topsoil was recovered from the undisturbed parts of the Bear No. 3 <br />Mine. The topsoil from the Bear No. 3 Mine facilities area was stored in a stockpile northeast of <br />the mine office. <br />The reclamation plan for the Bear No. 3 Mine called for ripping the facilities area to alleviate <br />compaction and reapplication of six inches of topsoil over most of the facilities area. The topsoil <br />replacement depth was less than the topsoil salvage depth because topsoil was to be redistributed <br />over a larger area than the area from which it was salvaged. <br />V. Sealing of Drilled Holes and Underground Openings <br />Sealing of the Bear No. 3 Mine portals is described in Section 1.05.4 of the Bear No. 3 Mine <br />permit application. <br />On November 11, 1996, the Bear Coal Company permanently ceased all mining operations at the <br />Bear No. 3 Mine. Permanent seals were constructed and completed in all three portals at the <br />19