2014-11-06_REVISION - C1981014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Newlin Creek is in response to precipitation events and only flows when the flow in the creek exceeds that which is removed upstream by the City of Florence for city water supply. Furthermore, groundwater discharge from the Southfield Mine workings or coal seams does not intercept Newlin Creek. These coal zones are located well beneath the level of the creek and dip to the northwest away from the creek. Data and Records: In accordance with the regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining (Regulations) Rule 4.05.13, the Annual Hydrology Reports (AHR's) have been submitted in accordance with the approved permit and provide detailed information concerning the monitoing results for surface and ground water. Data provided in the AHR's indicate that the reclamation process has been successful, that onsite impacts have been minimized and that offsite impacts have been prevented. Data included with this submittal: • Surface discharge water quality monitoring data from sedimentation ponds. The current CDPS Permit 850045 includes Ponds No.4 and Pond No.5 located at the Southfield mine site. CDPS Permit 850006 includes Pond L1 and Pond L2 located at the former Loadout site which is approximately one mile west of the town of Florence, Colorado. Note: Ponds Ll and L2 located at the Loadout site are scheduled to be reclaimed prior to final bond release. • Groundwater quality monitoring data which includes four (4) groundwater monitoring wells which are designated as MW -16, MW -23, MW -65 and MW -NW. Notice of Violation CV- 2013 -002: The DRMS issued NOV CV- 2013 -002 to EFCI on January 23, 2013. It was the Division's opinion that EFCI failed to ensure that water monitoring well MW -NW functioned as designed. The abatement required, Step 1: To remove the partial obstruction from MW -NW or establish a replacement water monitoring well that intercepts the Red Arrow of Jack O' Lantern coal seam; Step 2: Provide evidence to the Division that EFCI has applied for a monitoring well permit with CDWR in accordance with Rule 2.03.10. In response to the NOV, EFCI conducted a well test during April, 2012 wherein 1,500 gallons of water was gravity fed into the well to determine if MW -NW was open to water flow. The 1,500 gallons of water flowed down through the partial obstruction into the mine workings at an estimated flow rate of 50 to 100 gallons per minute. The water volume of 1,500 gallons was adequate to fill the well casing almost three times over — the water did not back up or rise to within view inside the well casing. The former DRMS inspector, Kent Gorham, present during the well test, confirmed that monitor well MW -NW was open to water flow to the mine workings. The Division later modified the NOV, effective March 25, 2014, to add the language, "- - - or provide information confirming that the well is currently functional for the intended purpose ". 5 TR -43 Revised: 10/2014