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-37- <br /> The disposal of mine and processing waste materials at the mine have the <br /> potential to degrade the quality of the alluvial ground water of Coal Creek. <br /> A geochemical analysis of the roof and floor rock and coal (see page III-D-37 <br /> of the permit application) failed to indicate any toxic or hazardous <br /> materials. In addition, seven years of ground and surface water monitoring, <br /> during which time similar wastes were being disposed of, indicate that water <br /> quality has not been materially damaged. Therefore, presently this potential <br /> impact is insignificant. The alluvial ground waters and surface waters will <br /> be monitored during and after mining by the operator to detect any further <br /> degradation of water quality if it occurs. <br /> The rock tunnel at the mine will be constructed into the Mancos shale <br /> formation and proceed up the stratigraphic column until it intersects the <br /> Dutch Creek coal seam. The tunnel will cut through the Cozzette, Rollins, and <br /> Middle Sandstones. As a result, inflows of ground water from these aquifers <br /> will enter the tunnel here. The applicant does not anticipate that the rates <br /> of inflows will be significant. This is based on the fact that the tunnel <br /> will not be cut beneath and parallel to a stream valley, which would increase <br /> recharge to the aquifers. Inflows should increase during the spring snowmelt <br /> in conjunction with increases in aquifer recharge. Any inflows from these <br /> sandstones will be pumped out of the tunnel, thus sustaining any base flow <br /> loses to the streams. As previously discussed these sandstones are too deep <br /> to be utilized as a water supply, therefore, no material damage will occur as <br /> the result of dewatering these sandstones. <br /> It is important, at the time of final reclamation, that these aquifers be <br /> sealed off to prevent any further mixing of the waters. The applicant <br /> supplied incomplete plans for sealing these aquifers. Therefore, the <br /> following stipulation is added to the permit. <br /> Stipulation No. 4 <br /> BY FEBRUARY, 1 , 1985, THE PERMITTEE SHALL SUBMIT A PLAN FOR SEALING THE <br /> ROCK TUNNEL ADITS. THIS PLAN SHALL CONTAIN, AT A MINIMUM, <br /> SPECIFICATIONS FOR SEALING THE PORTIONS OF THE ROCK TUNNEL THAT CROSS <br /> THE COZZETTE, ROLLINS, AND MIDDLE SANDSTONES TO PREVENT FUTURE MIXING <br /> OF WATERS IN THESE AQUIFERS AND SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFICATIONS FOR <br /> SEALING THE ADITS TO PREVENT GROUND WATER FROM FLOWING FROM THE ROCK <br /> TUNNEL ONTO THE SURFACE. THE PERMITTEE MUST OBTAIN DIVISION APPROVAL <br /> OF THE PLAY BY MAY 1 , 1985. <br /> Cumulative Ground Water Impacts <br /> During this five-year permit period, the impacts of the Sunlight Mine, the <br /> North Thompson Creek Mines and the Coal Basin Mines on ground water quality <br /> and quantity will be localized in areas adjacent to the mine. During the life <br /> of the North Thompson Creek Mines and the Coal Basin Mines, the areas affected <br /> by these mines will eventually join. When these two mines eventually join, <br /> the North Thompson Creek and Coal Basin mines will both impact the ground <br /> water in the aquifers in the Coal Creek Basin. The Sunlight Mine will not <br /> produce a cumulative ground water impact with any other mine in the Roaring <br /> Fork Drainage during its life-of-mine. <br /> ��y <br />