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effects will diminish as the dissolved solids are leached from the spoils, and the <br />aquifer characteristics return to normal. <br />Locally, the major impacts of mining include affecting the quantity and/or quality of <br />Springs S-1, S-5, 5-23, S-41 and 5-45. Effects of mining at these sites will not be <br />observed for a few years after mining is at its closest to these points. The Olson Spring <br />(5-45), located about 9,000 feet downgradient of mining, could potentially be <br />impacted. This spring, which issues from the Dry Creek alluvium, could suffer a <br />degradation in water quality. This would occur if the Hubberson Gulch and Dry Creek <br />alluvium are recharged by the spoils aquifer discharge. As will be discussed in the <br />Surface Water section of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences Assessment, this <br />discharge will be of very poor quality. If the quality of Olson Spring, a domestic <br />water right, is affected, the applicant will be responsible for replacing this impacted <br />water with domestic quality water in the adjudicated quantities. <br />The probable impacts to these sites will most likely be observed as a diminution in <br />quantity of water available and a degradation of water quality. The impacts to Spring <br />S-5, a colluvial spring, and S-41, a Williams Fork Formation spring, will be observed <br />as a decrease in quantity of water available and a degradation of water quality. The <br />recharge areas for these springs will be mined out. Springs 5-41 and S-23 both feed <br />registered stock ponds. S-41 feeds Temple Pond No. 2, a registered right with the <br />State of Colorado. Spring S-25 was mined through in the mid to late 1990's. Spring <br />S-1 may be affected by a redirection of ground water potential toward the backfilled <br />pits. <br />Spring 5-23 may be impacted by mining. S-23 feeds Temple Pond No. 1, which is <br />also registered and is upgradient of mining activities. <br />It will probably be a number of years after mining comes closest to these springs that <br />the effects in quantity and/or quality are observed. Again, this is due to the low <br />transmissivity and storativity values associated with the local strata. Most of these <br />springs are used for stock watering. Mining should not prohibit this use, because TDS <br />levels will not surpass EPA limitations for stock watering purposes. Post mining <br />consequences of mining will be the development of spoils aquifers in the backfilled <br />pits. The reclaimed pits will have the highest permeability/porosity values of any local <br />aquifers. The backfilled pits will induce recharge from precipitation and surface <br />runoff, from up gradient in the Williams Fork formation, and from downgradient in the <br />Williams Fork and Wadge coal. Until an equilibrium is established between the <br />backfilled pits and the surrounding aquifers, a diminution of water quantity may be <br />expected at some springs (S-1, S-5, S-23, 5-41) and at Temple Well No. 1. <br />Eventually, springs and seeps will emanate from the topographically lowest points of <br />the reclaimed pits. These waters will be characterized by high levels of iron, <br />manganese, total dissolved solids, and possibly boron. Unless this water is intercepted <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 39 C1982057 <br />Permit Renewal No. 5 December 9, 2010