2016-01-28_REPORT - M1983194 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Natural Soda LLC 2015 Project Status Report & Annual Plan of Development 5.0 Environmental Monitoring and Protection 5.1 Hydrology Monitoring 5.1.1 Introduction NS's hydrology monitoring program concentrates on ground water, as there are no perennial streams or springs located on or near NS's sodium leases. The USGS stream gauging station -monitoring program is conducted, with NS support, to provide regional surface stream flow data on Yellow and Piceance Creeks. The hydrology -monitoring plan is designed to determine impacts of NS's solution mining operations on underground sources of drinking water, as designated by the US EPA. Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 for the locations of existing monitor wells. Groundwater analytical results are presented in Appendix A. 5.1.2 Stream Gauging Stations NS continues to contract with the USGS to monitor surface water for water quality and quantity. Monitoring was performed upstream and downstream relative to the mining operations and with respect to Yellow Creek and Piceance Creek at four existing stations with extensive historical data. USGS stream data collected in 2015 will not be available until later in the 2016 calendar year. The 2015 USGS information will be included in the 2016 annual report. Historical stream gauging data is reported in this document and is complete through the 2014 water year (October 2013 -September 2014). The USGS surface water data are available to the public from the USGS web site at http://co.water.usgs.gov. Tables 6 and 7 summarize key 2014 water year data for surface water near the NS site. A review of USGS stream water quality data indicated no significant change in stream water quality through 2014. The 2014 water year data showed continued drought conditions in Western Colorado and did affect overall stream levels in the area. No effect on stream water quality was noted from any of the NS operations. DAUB A ASSOCIATES, INC. 20 January 2016