2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087A (9)

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RULE 2 - PERMITS 4,700 in 2009. Accompanying the TDS increase is a change to greater proportions of calcium, is magnesium and sulfate in the water. Groundwater Rights and Use Data on permitted water wells within one mile of the Permit Area boundary were obtained from the Colorado Division of Water Rights on -line mapping system (CDWR, 2009). A total of 41 permitted water wells are present within one mile of the permit area. Of those 41 wells, 28 are used only for groundwater monitoring. A summary of pertinent data for the 13 wells used for purposes other than groundwater monitoring is listed in Table 2.04.7 -T4. Of those 13 wells, nine are used for domestic water supply, one is used for livestock water, one is used for domestic and commercial purposes, and one is used for commercial and industrial purposes. Except for three wells located just inside the northern boundary of the permit area, all are located north or west of the permit area. The nine reported well depths range from 125 feet to 1,000 feet and average 421 feet, the seven reported depths to water range from 20 to 244 feet and average 99 feet, and the eight reported yields range from 6 to 15 gallons per minute (gpm) and average 11.25 gpm. Surface Water Information The following subsections present current information on the occurrence, quantity, quality and use of surface water in the PSCM permit area and adjacent area. Surface water withdrawals in the PSCM permit area and adjacent area include those from ditches, reservoirs, and springs. Surface water is put to a variety of beneficial uses, particularly irrigation and stock watering, with lesser amounts of • domestic and industrial use, and a few instances of other uses. The significance of surface water resources relates to potential mining - related impacts on surface runoff characteristics, perennial drainages, and disturbed -area or mine water discharge to surface drainages. The following sections characterize surface water occurrence and conditions as a basis for evaluation of these potential impacts. Mine Area Watersheds, Surface Water Occurrence, and Relationship to Mining Disturbance The regional surface water conditions were described in Section 2.04.5, General Description of Hydrology and Geology. As in the general area, surface water occurrence, movement, and quality in the immediate mine area are generally controlled by the semi -arid climate, topography, and geology, and, to a lesser degree, the adjacent previous surface coal mining. Surface water conditions have been studied using data obtained from a number of surface sampling locations near the mine, including both flowing streams and spoil springs. Many of the surface water sampling locations were established following approval by the CDRMS in conjunction with permitting and operations for the nearby Yoast and Seneca II Mines, and have been in operation for more than 10 years. During 2008, the CDRMS approved using the information collected from these sites in order to describe the quantity and quality of surface water in the immediate mine area and adjacent area to represent baseline conditions. Data collected at these sites during 2008 -2009 and years prior are presented in subsequent sections to characterize baseline conditions including seasonality as appropriate. A field inventory to identify potential springs and seeps within and adjacent to the proposed disturbance area was conducted in 2009. Results of the spring /seep inventory are included below. The locations of the streams, • springs /seeps, and surface water monitoring sites are shown on Map 2.04.7 -M1, Hydrology. A summary of surface water monitoring intervals is presented in Table 2.04.7 -T5. Section 2.04.8, Climatological Information, discusses the climatology of the PSCM permit area and adjacent areas. PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -60 Revision 12/17/09