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MAXWELL MINE <br /> File No. C-013081 <br /> Response to Draft Findings Document <br /> VI . Hydrologic Balance: Ground Water - Rules 2 .04 .5 <br /> 2 .04 .7 , 2 .05 .3 (4) , 2 .05 . 3 a.nd 4.05 <br /> Stipulation # (Springs & Seeps) <br /> In conformance with Rule 2 .04 .7(2) (a) and (4) (d) , CF&I <br /> herewith submits copies of unpublished USGS compilation of <br /> intermittent flow that originates as springs and seeps from <br /> bedrock and abandoned mines feeding drainages north of the <br /> Purgatoire River and corresponding quality da.ta.. Inventory and <br /> data, were collected during thesummer of 1981 . See data packet <br /> (VI Hydrologic Balance) . <br /> CF&I offers this data collected over a much greater area <br /> than that covered by its permit application to assist the Mined <br /> Land Reclamation Division with its finding that springs and seeps <br /> regionally represent an inconsequential contribution of <br /> groundwater to the surface water resources traversing the area <br /> dedicated to mining. Further, the data supports CFPrI ' s findings <br /> from its investigation that the Raton formation sediments <br /> encountered in mining are, low yield with respect to hydraulic <br /> conductivity. Consequently, the risk of material damage to the <br /> hydrologic balance both within and without the permit area, is <br /> severely restricted. <br /> Of the data submitted, only that collected in rantisteva.n <br /> and Wet Canyons are relative in the site specific sense. While <br /> spring discharges measured in Santistevan Canyon are reflected to <br /> be low yield, those measured in Wet Canyon are reflected to <br /> produce the highest yields of the entire survey. Yet, the <br /> corresponding quality measurements demonstrate the water of those <br /> springs composed dominantly of meteoric origin and a.n intimate <br /> part of the surface water regime. In light of the quality data, <br /> bedrock contribution to the surface water flow of Wet Canyon can <br /> be regarded as negligible. Further, the data, demonstrates the <br /> interrupted character of the stream during 1981 , an abnormally <br /> high precipitation year. <br /> The USGS regional data thus submitted should be sufficient <br /> for the division to conclude CF&,I ' s mining activities will have <br /> little, if any, effect on the minor contribution of springs and <br /> seeps to the State ' s water resources. <br />