2014-02-04_REPORT - M1983194 (2)

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Natural Soda, Inc. 2013 Project Status Report & Annual Plan of Development 5.1.3 Monitoring Wells Per regulatory requirements, dedicated monitoring wells have been constructed to monitor four water - bearing zones; Perched, A- Groove, B- Groove, and the Dissolution Surface aquifers. The aquifers are monitored at several locations across the solution mining area; down - gradient, up- gradient, remote down - gradient, and east in panel 2 near the southeast portion of Section 26. Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 for well ' locations. Baseline and current ground water monitoring data have been obtained from 1991 through present. Within NSI's lease boundaries, there are three aquifers defined by US ' EPA as underground sources of drinking water (USDW): the Perched, A- Groove and B- Groove Aquifers. The Dissolution Surface Aquifer is not designated as an underground source of drinking water. The Perched Aquifer is characteristically lower in total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, fluoride, SAR (sodium absorption ratio) and moderate to higher in sulfate and pH. The A- Groove and B- Groove aquifers are similar in water quality with moderate TDS, conductivity, SAR, but higher fluoride. However, the B- Groove aquifer generally has slightly higher levels of TDS, conductivity, SAR and fluoride. The ' Dissolution Surface Aquifer is characterized by very high TDS and conductivity, higher SAR, magnesium, potassium, and moderate pH. 2013 ground water quality results were monitored to detect anomalies and address them to prevent negative impact on USDW's. Appendix A contains detailed sampling results for all ground water monitoring wells. 5.1.4 Process Ponds The process ponds at the NSI site have a secondary liner, which collect and direct any ' condensation or leakage to the leak detection tube for removal. Weekly collection and removal of leachate continued in 2013. Process pond information is provided on a monthly basis. DAUB & ASSOCIATES. INC. 20 January 2014