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West Elk Mine 2013 Annual Hydrology Report 9 <br />3.0 HYDROLOGIC MONITORING PLAN <br />The MCC hydrologic monitoring program is designed to collect monitoring data needed <br />to assess mining - related impacts on hydrologic resources. The Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (CDRMS) approved a revised hydrologic monitoring <br />plan for the West Elk Mine permit area in June 2006 (CDRMS, 2006). The revised <br />monitoring plan has been implemented since the latter months of WY 2006 and in WYs <br />2007 through 2013. A brief summary of the current monitoring plan (CDRMS, 2006) is <br />presented in the following sections. <br />The hydrologic monitoring plan for the permit area includes monitoring surface water <br />resources, springs and seeps, groundwater resources, the coal refuse pile underdrains, and <br />pertinent mine water sites. Routine monitoring (subsequent to baseline monitoring) <br />includes collecting field water quality data (pH, electrical conductivity [EC], and <br />temperature) and collecting a sample for independent laboratory analysis annually. Flow <br />or water level measurements are collected three times per year corresponding with the <br />rising limb period between April 3rd and May 13th; the peak flow period between April <br />21 S` and June 26th; and the low flow period between July 10`h and October 8th, as shown <br />on Table 1. The chemical analyte suite for the first five years of sampling for both <br />groundwater and surface water samples, including one year of baseline sampling, is <br />presented in Table 2. <br />After monitoring sites have been monitored for 5 years (including approximately one <br />year of baseline monitoring), the analytical suite parameter list is typically reduced and <br />samples are submitted for laboratory analysis of total suspended solids (TSS), total <br />dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, dissolved iron, and total iron. <br />Field parameters (pH, EC, temperature, and flow or water level) are also recorded. <br />The Upper and Lower North Fork of the Gunnison River (NFGR) and Middle Sylvester <br />Gulch monitoring sites have expanded analytical parameter suites, in order to provide <br />data for the on -going characterization of the NFGR. The NFGR and Middle Sylvester <br />Gulch lab parameters include those listed in Table 2, plus chromium, nickel, silver (total), <br />cyanide (total), iron (total recoverable), nitrite (as N), nitrate (as N), alkalinity (total <br />CaCOA carbonate, hydroxide, nitrogen (ammonia), ortho - phosphate, and sodium <br />adsorption ratio (SAR). <br />The current hydrologic monitoring plan for MCC incorporates a separate baseline <br />monitoring schedule for all new monitoring sites for approximately one year prior to the <br />time when mine development operations expand into new potentially affected areas. The <br />baseline monitoring schedule protocols stipulate collecting monthly field water quality <br />data, flow or water level measurements, and collecting samples for laboratory analysis for <br />the year prior to initiation of mining and potential impacts (Table 2). Site - specific <br />baseline schedules are dependent on site accessibility and mine development timing. In <br />general, baseline monitoring is conducted for at least six consecutive months, usually <br />from April through September, in order to provide adequate data to show seasonal <br />variations in water quality and quantity. Winter access to most sites within the MCC <br />permit area is impractical and not feasible, so baseline monthly monitoring is generally <br />June 2014 HydroGeo, Inc. <br />