2013-04-03_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 (2)

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Groundwater may also be present to a limited extent within coal seams. Bedrock and associated coals dip to the northeast with the uppermost strata outcropping along the North Fork valley. The occurrence of groundwater springs in the North Fork outcrops of the Mesa Verde formation are rare. The BLM and MCC report that the coal seams in the West Elk Mine area are typically dry, with average moisture content of 5%. Groundwater discharges from faults intercepted by longwall panels in the West Elk Mine typically experience an initial high volume discharge periods followed diminishing to negligible flow within a short time period. Mine under -drain and mine inflow sites are currently monitored for flow and water quality by the West Elk hydrologic program. The total inflow for the West Elk mine is approximately 34.26 acre -feet per year (HYDROGEO, 2009). It is assumed for this analysis that any water bearing faults that are intercepted by longwall panels in the proposed lease modifications would flow 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) or less when encountered then decreasing to negligible flows (Koontz 2003). Any groundwater encountered would be handled by the existing system in the MCC underground operation. Discharge would be required to meet the NPDES and Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) surface water quality goals. Springs in the area typically show the same seasonality as the stream system. There are no known perennial springs, and only two intermittent springs inventoried for the lease modification areas (Figure 3.7). Just west and north of the modification area, MCC currently maintains data on several additional springs and 2 hydrographs (Lick Creek, and Upper Deep Creek; see Figure 3.7)." Final Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC -1362 and COC- 67232, pages 107 -108, August 2012. The proposed exploration drilling is not expected to encounter any water bearing fault zones or significant groundwater inflows. Vegetation "Vegetation communities in the proposed lease modification area are primarily aspen or mixed aspen/spruce -fir stands, with spruce -fir at higher elevations and Gambel oak at lower elevations, with smaller inclusions of grass, mountain shrub mix, and bare ground within the area. Riparian areas, including seasonal slump wetlands, ponds, and permanent wetlands occur in and near the project area. For the purposes of this analysis, as the road and pad locations have not yet been determined, the impacts of those surface activities are assumed to be proportional to the available surface vegetation proportions on the landscape for the three major types (Gambel oak/shrub, aspen, and spruce -fir). Lease stipulations and Best Management Practices (BMP's) prevent pads and roads in wetlands except for crossing of drainages for access. Actual surface activity may be different than analyzed; further analysis may be needed to compensate for changes when the surface operations may be proposed. However, at this time, and based on previous experience with these types of activities on the district, it is not anticipated that changes in actual surface disturbance would impart major changes." Final Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC -1362 and COC- 67232, page 120, August 2012. As identified in the FEIS, the principal vegetation type has been identified as aspen and spruce - fir forest. Of these habitat types, aspen is the most abundant, followed by Gambel oak, spruce -fir forest, mountain shrub, and grass respectively. No threatened, endangered, or candidate plant species have been identified in the exploration area. Analysis of proposed road corridors and pad sites will be completed prior to commencing exploration activities. 4