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Section - 2.05.6 <br />times as well as by some compaction of pond bases during construction, and accumulations of fine <br />suspended solids which will tend to further limit overall base permeability. <br />Both TSS and various chemical constituents tend to accumulate in the sediment in the bottom of <br />sedimentation ponds due to natural settling. Regular periodic removal of sediment accumulations <br />from the sedimentation ponds unl eliminate a pnten tial anttrrr of rnnrentra trrl rnnarihirnrc <br />minimizing chemical buildup. OMLLC will monitor sedimentation pond dischazge in order to detect <br />any significant changes in surface water quality. If significant changes are noted, OMLLC may, with <br />consultation from the DMG, develop and implement appropriate water treatment plans, <br />Upon completion of mining, all mine disturbance areas will be reclaimed. Reclamation and <br />establishment of effective vegetative cover will minimize disturbed area runoff to the sedimentation <br />ponds, limiting potential effects of surface leaching and evaporation. Reclamation will also result in <br />restoration of natural drainage and direct discharge to the receiving drainages once the sedimentation <br />ponds are removed at the end of the extended liability period. Given this consideration, any potential <br />ground water impacts will be both limited in scope and of a temporary nature. <br />Protection of Water Rights and Use - As previously noted under Protection of Surface Water <br />Quantity and Quality (Mine Water Supply Withdrawals), OMLLC's water supply withdrawals will not <br />exceed their water rights. In addition, mine drainage will have little or no impact on water rights or <br />use since only ground water will be directly impacted and beneficial ground water use in the area is <br />very limited. There is some potential that subsidence effects may impact surface seeps and springs in <br />the azea which axe non-adjudicated water sources used on an informal and occasional (when flowing <br />during part of the year) basis by livestock. OMLLC is committed to working with azea landowners to <br />restore, replace, or provide reasonable compensation for any significant livestock watering sources <br />that are adversely impacted. Mitigation could include repairs to suxficial tension cracks in stock ponds <br />and ditches, construction of additional stock ponds, cleaning of existing stock ponds, and providing <br />additional supplies of water through augmentation of existing OMLLC water rights. <br />Mapping of Hydrologic Protection Information -Information presented on the regional and <br />facilities azea maps which addresses hydrologic protection issues includes: <br />• Water supply intakes <br />• Receiving surface water drainages <br />• Diversion, collection, treatment, storage, and discharge facihdes and structures <br />• Water monitoring locations and elevations <br />• Existing and proposed sedimentation ponds, impoundments, and mine development <br />waste pIles <br />• Cross-sections for sedimentation ponds, impoundments, and mine development <br />waste piles <br />Evaluation of Probable Hydrologic Consecjuences <br />In order to assess the probable hydrologic consequences of the planned mining and related activities <br />OMI has reviewed and evaluated all available information on baseline hydrologic conditions in <br />Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Description, which characterizes the existing surface and ground water <br />environments. Within the context of the existing hydrologic conditions, OMI then considered all <br />potential hydrologic impacts, both positive and negative, which could occur as a result of the current <br />and planned mining and related activities based on the plans presented in Sections 2.05.2 and 2.05.3, <br />Operation Plan, and Section 2.05.4, Reclamation Plan. Both direct and indirect mining-related <br />impacts were identified and evaluated and the effectiveness of operational protection and control <br />PROS 2.05-88 Revised November 2002 <br />