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supergene oxidation. Pre-intrusion, syn-intrusion, and post-intrusion faulting and deformation
disrupt the geology, although displacements appear to be relatively small.
5.10.4 Design Features/Environmental Protection Measures
RER has not identified any additional design features/environmental protection measures to
reduce potential impacts to geologic resources.
5.11 PALEONTOLOGIC RESOURCES
5.11.1 Baseline Paleontologic Resources
Paleontological resources may occur in the Madison Limestone Formation, which is Early to
Mississippian in age, and dates to approximately 359 to 326 million years before the present.
This formation is primarily a marine limestone formation and the common fossils found are
invertebrate fossils. An additional literature review of the geologic information specific to the
planned facility area, relative to outcrops of fossiliferous formations will be conducted. In
concurrence with the Forest Service and per WDEQ-LQD Guideline No. 11 for paleontological
resources on State Lands, the paleontological inventory will be accomplished by an inspection
of potential fossil-bearing deposits within the Project Area. A cursory literature review for the
remaining Project Area, not covered under the previous EA (Forest Service, 2009), will be
conducted for Sections 9, 10, 16, 20 and portions of 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 28, and 29 in order to
provide information on the potential paleontological resources. The report will contain a
summary of previous studies performed in the Project Area, description of the resources, an
assessment of the significance of the resource and the main personnel who conducted the
inventory and report.
5.11.2 Design Features/Environmental Protection Measures
RER has identified the following design features/environmental protection measures to reduce
potential impacts to paleontological resources:
RER will notify all persons associated with operations that any objects or sites of
paleontological or scientific value, such as vertebrate or scientifically important
invertebrate fossils, shall not be damaged, destroyed, removed, moved, or disturbed.
If in connection with authorized operations any of the above resources are
encountered, all activities that might further disturb such materials will be suspended
and the Forest Service will be notified.
5.12 WATER RIGHTS
5.12.1 Permitting
RER may complete water supply wells to provide a total of 74 gpm of process water for use in
mining activities and processes within the Mine Area. The water supply wells will be permitted
through the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office. The potential issue with water rights for the
supply wells is the proximity of small capacity springs and surface waters (see Map 5.3-1). The
State Engineer’s staff indicated that permits would be issued if the wells were built with
moderately deep seals such that a reasonable claim could be made that shallow groundwater
was isolated from the producing interval – to protect the springs. Permit conditions may specify
minimum depths for sealing the wells, monitoring of spring/stream discharges, annual testing of
well performance, and biannual static water level measurements. Permits would be issued for a
finite time period corresponding to the mining activity.
