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• <br />• <br />• <br />Murari P. Shrestha, P.E. <br />August 25, 2010 <br />Page 7 <br />and surface water. <br />The location of dewatering depletions and intercepted return flows at the location of the <br />existing mine and at the location of the future mining facilities will in part depend on the <br />mining operations. Based on mapping of the structural geology of the coal layer, <br />provided by Western Fuels, and descriptions of the mining process described by Western <br />Fuels, the bottom of the strip mine may effectively alter the flow path of irrigation return <br />flows and naturally occurring ground and surface water in these drainages. To the extent <br />that the active strip mine crosses any existing drainage divides, the historical water <br />balance between these drainages may be altered. For example, if the strip mine at New <br />Horizon North is configured in a north -south orientation, it is possible that some <br />irrigation return flows and naturally occurring drainage that historically occurred to Coal <br />Canyon may drain to the Tuttle Draw drainage during the mining period. However, we <br />understand that the New Horizon North mine will be aligned in an east -west orientation, <br />which should minimize any changes to historical ground and surface water flow paths. <br />The location of where the dewatering water is discharged to the stream system may <br />ultimately control the extent to which these drainages are impacted. Western Fuels can <br />effectively control the impacts to the drainages beneath the mine facilities by discharging <br />the dewatering water to specific drainages. Other than the structural surface of the coal <br />and the configuration of the actual mining surface, there are no other geologic attributes <br />that are likely to determine the flow path of return flows and naturally occurring water in <br />these drainages. Following reclamation of the mine sites, it is our expectation that the <br />hydrology of these drainages will replicate the historical hydrology. <br />If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call. <br />Very truly yours, <br />Bishop - Brogden Associates, Inc. <br />„S2 <br />Christopher J. Sanchez, P.G. <br />Principal <br />CJS /jeb <br />Enclosures <br />cc: Bill Haffner <br />Wayne Schieldt <br />Aaron Ladd, Esq. <br />Tim Beaton, Esq <br />0403.09 <br />www.bbawater_com <br />Bishop - Brogden Associates, Inc. <br />