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Well WSOV24 was drilled in August 2001 in the H-W South area adjacent to the Pond <br />016A embankment. The well failed due to a landslide in the spring of 2003 and was <br />subsequently abandoned. Only five samples were collected. WSOV24 was a flowing <br />well. Initial samples displayed a Ca-Mg-HCO3 type water, with TDS values of 660 <br />and 760 mg/1. A replacement well (WSOV25) was drilled in the summer of 2004. <br />Wadge Coal <br />The Wadge coal was the principal seam of interest within the original permit area, and <br />was also mined in the south extension area. It is typically 11 to 13 feet thick, except <br />where split by partings. <br />The Wadge coal outcrops along the east side of the permit area, These outcrops and <br />perhaps a portion of the overburden east of the permit area are thought to be the major <br />source of recharge to the Wadge. Depth to water and water quality are monitored at <br />five sites within and adjacent to the permit area. The varying amounts of head <br />measured at these wells again indicate that the major component of flow is to the west. <br />The amount of head within the Wadge, as in all the units in this area, is a function of <br />distance from the recharge area (anticlinal axis) and the type of over/underburden <br />present. <br />The Wadge coal is in a confined condition in most of the wells which have been <br />monitored. At well GW-42-S2W-5W, a downdip well due west of the south pit area, <br />the Wadge appears to be semi-confined. While pumping this well, drawdown was <br />observed in an adjacent overburden completion well. This observation indicates that <br />there is, at this location, a hydrologic connection between the Wadge and the <br />overburden. <br />Aquifer tests were performed at two wells. One well failed during the test. The <br />transmissivity calculated at the other well was 0.03 ft2 per day, while storativity has <br />been estimated to be on the order of 1 x 10-4. <br />Six wells have been sampled for water quality characteristics, five within or adjacent <br />to the original permit area and one within the south extension area (4W). 4W has been <br />dry since 2002. Due to safety concerns because of proximity to the highwall, it was <br />abandoned in August 2003 and was replaced in 2004, by WW25. Typically, the <br />quality of Wadge seam water varies from place to place. Generally, sulfate, <br />manganese and total dissolved solids exceed both U.S. EPA and National Academy of <br />Sciences recommended drinking water criteria. These criteria may be found in <br />Volume 3, Tab 7, Tables 7-20 and 7-43 of the permit application. These waters are <br />unsuitable for use as a drinking supply, but may be used for livestock watering. These <br />waters also pose a high salinity hazard to intolerant plants, and therefore may be <br />unsuitable for use as irrigation water. <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 31 C1982057 <br />Permit Renewal No. 5 December 9, 2010