Laserfiche WebLink
I. Transfer of Wells <br />No wells are transferred [4.05.14 (2)]. <br />J. Discharge of Water into an Underground Mine <br />There is no discharge of water into an underground mine [4.05.16 and 4.05.3(1)(f)]. <br />K. Stream Buffer Zones <br />There are no stream buffer zones [4.05.18(1)]. <br />L. Probable Hydrologic Consequences [2.07.6(2)(c)] <br />The Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the original Findings Document stated that <br />mixing of ground waters of the Rollins Sandstone and Wheeler Coal was possible due to <br />fracturing associated with mine development. Only very minor, unmeasurable water inflow <br />occurred in the No. 2 mine tunnel, and none in the No. 1 tunnel. This is due in part to the <br />cessation of operations at the site since 1987. Portals No. 1 and No. 2 were only partially drilled <br />(613 feet and 576 feet respectively) into the Mancos shale. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that <br />the tunnels modified the groundwater conditions. <br />Another predicted impact of the Coal Ridge No. 1 operation was water quality degradation (due <br />to natural seeps found in the area) associated with the refuse disposal area. This impact never <br />occurred because the refuse pile was never constructed. <br />Due to minor fracturing within the Wheeler coal seam and the Rollins sandstone, there was some <br />potential that ground water could cross - communicate between these two seams. However, <br />neither of these rock units are utilized for ground water within the vicinity of the mine and, due <br />to the extreme dip of the bedrock, development of water from these seams outside the permit <br />area would be economically prohibitive. For these reasons, significant impacts to ground water <br />quality and quantity in bedrock from mining at the Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine were not expected to <br />occur. Additionally, mining never advanced to the Wheeler seam, so additional fracturing of the <br />Wheeler did not occur. <br />The alluvium in the mine area is recharged from contact with surface water of the Colorado <br />River and its tributaries, and from upland sheet flow and snow melt. The alluvial bodies adjacent <br />to the Colorado River will release water back to the surface water system during periods of low <br />flow. Therefore, any impacts to the alluvial ground water would also have had the potential to <br />impact the quality or quantity of water within the Colorado River. <br />The subcrop of the Wheeler seam is located approximately 55 feet above the alluvium and dips <br />steeply away from the alluvial body. Undermining of the alluvial body did not occur during the <br />life of the mine. Therefore, dewatering of the Wheeler seam due to mining is not an expected <br />impact to the alluvium or surface water system of the Colorado River. (For further information <br />see Alluvial Valley Floor, Section IX of this document.) <br />Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine <br />Permit Renewal 6 13 31 October 2011 <br />