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developed to assess the possible impacts to the hydrologic system. The results of the monitoring <br />programs have and will continue to be employed to detect changes to the hydrologic balance and <br />if detected significant changes can then be mitigated by changes to the operations. The approved <br />monitoring program is described in Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Description. This program will <br />continue for the foreseeable future until amended with approval of DRMS. <br />Groundwater Monitoring Plan <br />Ground Water Quality Monitoring data on ground water quality will be compared against the <br />multiple year baseline monitoring ranges established for each chemical parameter monitored at <br />each site. Because a number of variables can affect water chemistry, only significant increases <br />or consistent trends will be considered as possible impacts from mining <br />Ground Water Quantity Future drawdowns in the overburden, coal, and underburden zones <br />will be compared against multiple year pre - disturbance (baseline) average water level <br />fluctuations. Water level fluctuations as a result of irrigation, natural and water quality sampling <br />stresses have been reasonably defined. Significant water level drops outside these multiple year <br />ranges will be considered to be possible effects from pit pumpage. Water level drops in <br />monitoring wells outside the projected zones of pit pumpage drawdown will be considered <br />suspect unless a consistent deepening trend develops. <br />Surface Water Monitoring Plan <br />Surface Water Quality Future impacts on surface water quality will be evaluated by trend <br />analysis. Mining activities at the New Horizon #1 Area began prior to the onset of collecting <br />surface water quality data (1979), hence, no true baseline data exists for comparison purposes. <br />However, a well documented but short record of surface water quality has been collected during <br />baseline studies conducted at the New Horizon North area. Regardless, the significance of <br />impacts will be evaluated by analyzing for prominent trends of changing chemical concentrations <br />over time. Consistently increasing concentrations of chemical parameters will be considered to <br />suggest mining impacts. Data collected at sites located above mining (most upstream) along <br />Meehan and Glasier Draws will be used for investigating whether any future observed trends are <br />natural or result from mining. <br />Surface Water Quantity Analysis of trends, as mentioned in the previous section, will be used <br />to evaluate mining impacts on surface water quantity. Consistent increases or decreases in flow <br />over time at surface water monitoring sites will suggest mining impacts. Should trend analysis <br />of flow data suggest impacts from mining, WFC will consider more frequent flow monitoring <br />and further investigation to determine the source of any defined changes. <br />Section 2.05.6(3) (b) (v) Page 5 April 2011 <br />