020-11 Wyo. Code R. §§ 11-4 - Application Content Requirements - Baseline Information

(a) All applications for a permit must also include:

(i) A soil survey which maps and describes the general distribution of the soils within the permit area. A detailed soil survey and associated laboratory analysis may be required for soils on the affected lands.

(ii) A description of the nature and depth of the topsoil that will be removed from proposed affected land prior to disturbance by mining activities.

(iii) A survey of vegetative cover and species diversity on the proposed affected land determined by scientifically acceptable sampling procedures. Vegetation productivity sampling may be required, at the Administrator's discretion, depending on the nature of the communities to be disturbed. However, if existing data from other sources, such as National Resources Conservation Service publications or adjacent permit areas, can be provided and demonstrated to be applicable to the communities in question, the collection of production data may be waived.

(iv) A list of the indigenous vertebrate species by common and scientific names observed within the proposed permit area. Surface waters supporting fish that may be affected by the operation shall be sampled for benthic invertebrates and periphyton. As required in Chapter 2, Section 1(f), the applicant shall consult with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of a permit application to determine permitting requirements.

(v) A description of climatic conditions of the site in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 2, Section 2(a)(i)(C) and (D).

(vi) A description of the geology, including:

(A) Discussion, supported by maps, cross-sections and geologist's, driller's, and geophysical logs, which identifies: formations and aquifers; geologic features that could influence aquifer properties; and the areal and stratigraphic position of the production zone in relation to other geologic features within the proposed permit or Research and Development License area; and

(B) A generalized map and cross-sections illustrating the regional geologic setting.

(vii) A geochemical, lithological, and mineralogical description of the receiving strata and any aquifers that may be affected by the injection of recovery fluid.

(viii) For surface waters within the permit area and on adjacent lands:

(A) The names, descriptions, and a map of all such waters; and

(B) A list and map of all adjudicated and permitted surface water rights.

(ix) For groundwater within the permit area and on adjacent lands:

(A) The names (or numbers), descriptions, and a map of all wells installed for water supply or monitoring and all wells which penetrate the production zone. The description shall include: names of present owners, well completion data, producing interval(s), and variations in water level to the extent such information is available in the public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property;

(B) A list and map of all adjudicated and permitted groundwater rights;

(C) A list and map of all abandoned wells and drill holes, giving location, depth, producing interval(s), type of use, condition of casing, plugging procedures and date of completion for each well or drill hole within the permit area and on adjacent lands to the extent such information is available in public records and from a reasonable inspection of the property;

(D) A groundwater potentiometric surface contour map for each aquifer that may be affected by the mining process, including overlying and underlying aquifers in which monitoring wells are installed.

(E) Aquifer characteristics for the water saturated portions of the receiving strata and aquifers which may be affected by the mining process, which may include, but is not limited to, aquifer thickness, velocity and direction of groundwater movement, storage coefficients or specific yields, transmissivity or hydraulic conductivity and the direction(s) of preferred flow under hydraulic stress in the saturated zones of the receiving strata. The extent of hydraulic connection between the receiving strata and overlying and underlying aquifers, and the hydraulic characteristics of any influencing boundaries in or near the proposed well field area(s) shall be determined and described. Information needed to meet the requirements of Section 8(d) of this Chapter shall also be provided; and

(F) Tabulated water quality analyses for samples collected from all groundwater which may be affected by the proposed operation. Sampling to characterize the premining groundwater quality and its variability shall be conducted in accordance with established Department guidelines. All baseline groundwater quantity and quality information must be provided in an electronic format prescribed by and/or acceptable to the Administrator.

Notes

020-11 Wyo. Code R. §§ 11-4

Amended, Eff. 11/13/2018. Amended, Eff. 11/17/2022.