Sample mine-site permit application (hydrologic assessment)

Hydrologic data are presented that may be useful in the permitapplication procedure required under current Office of Surface Mining regulations. The material is presented in a format which may serve as a guide for subsequent permit applications. Data on the quality and quantity of surface water and ground water for the mine plan, adjacent, and general areas are presented. The data are presented in three general categories: measured and estimated current conditions, estimated annual variations, and predicted effects of mining and reclamation. Current surface-water, ground-water, and biological conditions are the easiest to define. Seasonal variations in surface-water flow can be estimated with some confidence, but seasonal variations in surface-water quality, biological quality, and ground-water levels and quality are difficult to estimate with the insufficient field data available. The effects of mining and reclamation cannot be predicted through the use of the scant data collected and current predictive tools.