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Status: This Stipulation was satisfied and terminated on December 17, 2009. <br />Part A - Findings required by Section 2.07.6(2) <br />1. The permit application is accurate and complete. All requirements of the Act and the <br />Regulations promulgated there under have been complied with (2.07.6(2)(a)). <br />2. Based on information contained in the permit application and other information available to <br />the Division, the Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation can be feasibly <br />accomplished at the Foidel Creek Mine (2.07.6(2)(b)). <br />3. The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in the <br />general area on the hydrologic balance, as described in 2.05.6(3), has been made by the <br />Division. This assessment entitled "Yampa River CHIA" (revised May 2010) is available <br />for inspection at the offices of the Division. <br />A brief description of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences of the Foidel Creek Mine <br />follows: <br />Ground water <br />Several possible effects to the ground water system have been identified. <br />Dewatering and potentiometric drawdown in bedrock units <br />Dewatering will occur in the Trout Creek Sandstone, Wadge Overburden, and Twentymile <br />Sandstone. Monitoring data have verified both that this dewatering has occurred and the <br />existence of a depression of the potentiometric surfaces of these hydrostratigraphic units in <br />the vicinity of the mine. <br />Diminution of bedrock discharge to alluvium and surface streams <br />Gradient reversal due to mining could cause a decrease in natural discharge to alluvium and <br />streams. This would persist for approximately 360 years until potentiometric levels recover <br />to pre-mining conditions. Discharge of mine water discharge to the streams will more than <br />offset this loss, which is estimated at approximately .02 cfs in Fish Creek. <br />Degradation of Wadge overburden water <br />Only the Wadge overburden aquifer is predicted to be degraded with regard to water quality. <br />Estimates indicate that degraded water will persist for 23,000 years. Conductivity of <br />degraded water is estimated at 4000-7000 umhos/cm. Areas immediately down gradient will <br />be affected to a greater degree due to the close proximity to the source (mine workings). <br />Due to dilution and dispersion, water quality will generally improve as the distance from the <br />mine workings increases. Wadge overburden water is not presently used on the Twentymile <br />Park basin. <br />Foidel Creek Mine 19 June 4, 2010