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mitigated by avoiding those zones in Wolf Creek areas and mixing suitable spoil with <br />unsuitable spoil in the Wadge areas. These areas have been reclaimed, have undergone <br />Phase I bond release, and are not proposed for re-disturbance by PSCM operations. <br />Based on the absence of acid-forming or toxic-forming materials in the materials that <br />will be disturbed, the Division finds that the PSCM will avoid drainage into ground or <br />surface water from acid-forming and toxic-forming spoil. No mitigation measures <br />have been required for acid-forming spoil in a 68.8-acre area called the Old Wolf Creek <br />Pit because mining in this area commenced prior to the :Enactment of SMCRA. <br />E. Surface and Ground Water Monitoring <br />The PSCM has proposed a water monitoring plan designed for identifying the impacts <br />of mining on the hydrologic balance in the permit area and adjacent area. The plan is <br />described in Section 2.04.7 of the permit application. The plan includes: fifteen ground <br />water and spoil wells, five surface water sites on streams, eight spoil spring sites, and <br />three CDPS outfalls at sediment control ponds. The parameters to be sampled and the <br />sampling frequencies are appropriate for the types of impacts that may be expected <br />from a coal mining operation. The ground water wells are completed in the following <br />hydrostratigraphic units: Wadge coal seam, Wadge overburden, surface mine spoil, <br />alluvium of Grassy Creek, Little Grassy Creek, and Cow Camp Creek. Grassy Creek <br />alluvial well SGAL70 has been established as a ground water point of compliance, in <br />consultation with the Division. <br />The applicant will conduct monitoring of ground water in a manner approved by <br />the Division. The ground water monitoring plan is listed in Table 2.04.7-T9 of the <br />permit application. (4.05.13(1)). <br />2. The applicant will conduct monitoring of surface water in a manner approved by <br />the Division. The monitoring plan is listed in Table 2.04.7-T10 of the permit <br />application. (4.05.13(2)). <br />F. Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br />Probable hydrologic consequences of the proposed PSCM mining operation are <br />discussed in Section 2.05.6(3)(b)(iii) of the permit application. Of the various probable <br />hydrologic consequences predicted for the PSCM, loading of streams with salts (mainly <br />calcium sulfate) is considered to be the most substantial impact. This loading is the <br />continuation of on-going salt-loading of Little Grassy Creek at Pond 002 from coal <br />spoil leachate that has flowed into the pond from Seneca II Mine surface pits since the <br />pond was constructed. <br />Underground activities proposed at the PSCM are not predicted to add to the currently <br />on-going salt loading of surface water, as all water that seeps into the underground <br />mine workings is either expected to be consumed by dust control in the workings or is <br />predicted to dilute the water in Pond 002. If all underground mine water is not <br />consumed in the workings, then the water will be pumped from the portal area sumps <br />Peabody Sage Creek Mine 23 May 7, 2010