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<br />Groundwater Monitoring Plan <br /> <br />The groundwater monitoring plan is included in Appendix 2.05.6(3)-3 and the <br />field and laboratory parameters to be analyzed are provided in Tables 1 and 3 <br />of that section. WFC established baseline data for nine shallow bedrock wells <br />identified as GW-N47 through GW-N55. The monitoring well locations are <br />shown on Map 2.04.7-1 in Section 2.04.7 Hydrology Description. WFC <br />sampled and analyzed for field and full suite laboratory parameters starting in <br />October 2008 and has continued collecting monthly field and quarterly full <br />suite samples since that time to establish the baseline data. These wells GW- <br />N47 through GW-N55 will continue to be monitored according to the plan <br />given in Appendix 2.05.6(3)-3. WFC will install and begin sampling three <br />additional groundwater monitoring wells (GW-N56, GW-N57 and GW-N58). <br />The new well site would be installed after permit approval and prior to any <br />disturbance associated with NHN. As described earlier in this Findings <br />document, the additional group of nested wells is necessary so that the full <br />extent of the disturbed area is monitored in the downgradient direction (i.e., the <br />southwest end of the southernmost mineable block). These three additional <br />wells are already included in the monitoring plan and are shown on Map <br />2.04.7-1. No alluvial groundwater monitoring is proposed for the site. No <br />alluvial wells were installed due to the lack of alluvium within the permit area. <br /> <br />Groundwater Points of Compliance <br /> <br />Rule 4.05.13 requires the establishment of groundwater points of compliance <br />if, in the judgment of the Division, the operation has the potential to negatively <br />impact the quality of groundwater for which water quality standards have been <br />established by the Water Quality Control Commission. Point of compliance <br />well(s) may be required. Because the groundwater occurring in isolated <br />saturated zones in the Dakota Formation is potentially usable it must be <br />monitored and the extent and magnitude of any mining impacts must be <br />determined. The operator’s discussion regarding the potential to impact <br />shallow bedrock groundwater quality is presented in Section 2.05.6(3) of the <br />permit document and a summary of the Probable Hydrologic Consequences <br />(PHC) is presented below in Section K of this document. The Division will <br />review groundwater monitoring data as it is submitted annually once the NHN <br />Mine becomes operational to verify the conclusions of the PHC and to <br />determine the impact on the hydrologic balance. It is anticipated that this new <br />nested well site (GW-N56 through GW-N58) would become the points of <br />compliance for the three strata (OB, Coal, and UB), if the monitoring data <br />show that the mining operation has the potential to impact the quality of <br />alluvial groundwater in the permit and adjacent areas. <br /> <br />2. The applicant will conduct monitoring of surface water in a manner approved <br />by the Division. The surface water monitoring plan is discussed in Section <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />24 <br /> <br />