2017-05-11_PERMIT FILE - C1981012 (18)

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In TRIM COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, Water Quality Control Division Fact Sheet- Page 4, Permit No. C00000906 IV. RECEIVING STREAM A. Waterbody Identification: COARLA05b Middle Fork Purgatoire River B. Water Quality Assessment: The division performed an assessment of the stream standards, low flow data, and ambient stream data to determine the assimilative capacities for Middle Fork Purgatoire River for potential pollutants of concern, where applicable. This information, which is contained in the Water Quality Assessment (WQA) for the receiving streams, also includes an antidegradation review, where appropriate. The division's Permits Section has reviewed the assimilative capacities to determine the appropriate water quality -based effluent limitations as well as potential Limits based on the antidegradation evaluation, where applicable. V. FACILITY DESCRIPTION A. Industry Description New Elk Coal Mine is an underground coal mine and coal preparation plant, which produces metallurgical and steam coal. Production at the New Elk Mine was intermittent from 1952 to 1988; in 1988 the mine was temporarily sealed and allowed to flood. In 2008, mine dewatering and rehabilitation began. In 2011 mining activities resumed with the mining of the Blue Seam, and in 2012 mining the Allen Seam resumed. The facility plans to operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week and is capable of processing 2 million tons per year of bituminous coal. The site map provided by the permittee to the division indicates proposed refuse pile and topsoil pile locations. The permittee must notify the division prior to construction of these features to allow a modification of the permit, as necessary, for any resulting outfalls of stormwater not already contemplated in the permit. B. Chemical Usage The permittee stated that they utilize one chemical in their treatment process in waste streams 007 and 008. The division reviewed the MSDS sheets, and approved the following chemical for use as summarized in the following table. Table V-1 - Chemical Additives Chemical Name Purpose Constituents of Concern EnviroFloc CF -1 Clarification Acute and Chronic Aquatic Toxicity Chemicals deemed acceptable for use in waters that will or may be discharged to waters of the State are acceptable only when used in accordance with all state and federal regulations, and in strict accordance with the manufacturer's site-specific instructions. C. Wastewater Sources and Treatment Description Outfall 001 - Mine water routed to pond 001 where treatment is accomplished using gravity separation. Wastewater from pond 001 is discharged to Middle Fork Purgatoire River via outfall 001. Outfall 004 - Stormwater runoff from the western refuse pile (in reclamation) is routed to pond 004, where treatment is accomplished using gravity separation. Wastewater from pond 004 is discharged into the Middle Fork Purgatoire River via outfall 004. Pond 006 - Pond 006 is not currently in use, but previously received domestic waste and process water from the coal preparation plant. In phone conversations with the facility on September 25, October 31, 2014, and January 08, 2015 John Terry (Surveyor) indicated that all water previously routed to pond 006 (process water and domestic waste) is now hauled offsite. The facility plans to line pond 006, but does not have a specific timeframe for this activity. Once the pond is lined, it will be used as temporary storage for thickener wastewater when repairs to the