Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />probably is not enough to diminish recharge to bedrock aquifers. <br />Surface Water Impacts: <br />Runoff from the coal mine and the adjacent sand and gravel operation is routed via <br />permanent ditches to natural drainages on either side of Ewing Mesa, the reconstructed <br />Carbon Junction Channel, and the Carbon Junction Arroyo. Runoff from most disturbed <br />areas at the coal mine and the sand and gravel operation was routed to Carbon Junction Coal <br />Mine sediment control ponds #1 and #2 until the ponds were reclaimed in 2009. The ponds <br />usually held water only a few weeks each year following springtime snow melt and large <br />rainstorms. Discharges from the coal mine's ponds were monitored under the Colorado <br />Discharge Permit System (CDPS). The coal mine's operator applied to the Colorado Water <br />Quality Control Division for termination of its CDPS permit in October 2008, but <br />termination has not yet been approved. There were no exceedances of discharge limitations <br />at either pond for at least 5 years prior to reclamation of the ponds. The discharge limitations <br />applicable to the outfalls were based on which chemical constituents were likely to be present <br />in discharge effluent, and did not include all of the constituents for which there are instream <br />standards in the Animas River, downstream from Carbon Junction Canyon. It is unlikely, <br />however, that the effluent would have contained these other constituents in significant <br />amounts; therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that operations in the bond release area are in <br />compliance with the instream standards. <br />Impacts to Alluvial Valley Floors: <br />There are no alluvial valley floors within the area of influence of the Carbon Junction Mine. <br />Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />The observed hydrologic impacts in the bond release area are consistent with those predicted in the <br />Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the permit application and the Division's Animas <br />River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing observations regarding <br />hydrologic impacts, the Division finds that Oakridge has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic <br />balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the permit area. <br />The Division also finds that Oakridge has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect the <br />approved postmining land use in the permit area. <br />Findings on Completion of the Reclamation Plan <br />Oakridge requested Phases I, II, and III release for regraded areas within an approximate 45.31-acre <br />bond release area. The Division has reviewed the SL-04 bond release application and the mine <br />permit, and has inspected the subject lands. Based on the review and inspection, the Division finds <br />that in the SL-04 bond release area, Oakridge has successfully completed backfilling, regrading, and <br />drainage re-establishment in accordance with the approved reclamation plan for the areas subject to <br />the request that had not previously received Phase I bond release. With regard to Phase II bond <br />release, the Division also finds that vegetation in the SL-04 bond release area has been established <br />16