2018-05-30_PERMIT FILE - C1981022A

• Permit No: C1981022A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 5/30/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

Section - 2.05.6
compliance with applicable monitoring requirements and discharge effluent standards under the
required CDPS permits, and reclamation of surface disturbance areas and restoration of surface
drainage characteristics.
In order to fully evaluare potential hydrologic impacts, the cumulative impact of any mining-related
ground ox surface water impacts when combined with potential impacts resulting from other
development or land use activities must be considered. Utilizing the information presented in this
mining and reclamation plan submittal along with other available information for the general mine
area the DMG will update, as appropriate, the Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment (CHIA),
which on completion will be inserted in Exhibit 2.04-E4, Hydrologic Information.
A cumulative impact area fox evaluation of potential cumulative ground water impacts will include the
permit area along with upgradient areas on the North Fork and areas to the south and east affected by
Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine operations and Bear Coal Company's previous operations;
downgradient areas on the North Fork affected by Bowie Resources and previous operations; and
downgxadient areas to the north and east which could be impacted by any mining-related changes in
ground water flow or quality from OMLLC's operations. Given the characteristic low permeability of
the geologic sequence, the limited volume and flow of ground water, and the consistent flat dip of the
geologic units to the northeast, the ground water cumulative impact area can generally be defined by
the limits of OMLLC's and Mountain Coal's operations to the south and east, a boundary extending
one mile beyond OMLLC's northern permit boundary, and by the limits of Bowie Resources'
operations to the west. Other activities which could result in possible contributing ground water
impacts within this area ate limited to contributions from the existing abandoned underground mine
workings in the area; Mountain Coal's West Elk Mine operations to the south; $owie Resources'
operations to the west; and surface water withdrawals from the North Fork west of the Town of
Somerset fox the Fire Mountain Canal.
A cumulative impact area for evaluation of potential cumulative surface water impacts will include the
permit and adjacent areas fox OMLLC's operations, the West Elk Mine, and $owie Resources'
operations, along with Paonia Reservoir and the associated waters upstream from the mine and
downstream waters which could be impacted by mining-related changes in surface water flows or
quality. Given these constraints and the nature of general surface drainage patterns in the area, the
surface water cumulative impact area can be defined as a boundary extending along the North Fork
from Paonia Reservoir downstream to a point on the North Foxk approximately 2 miles downstream
from the western limit oEBowie Resources' disturbance area and encompassing the permit areas plus
a one mile buffer Eor OMLLC's, Mountain Coal's and Bowie Resources' operations.
There are a number of activities within the cumulative impact area which could result in potential
contributing surface water impacts including discharges from Paonia Keservoix; mine discharge and
surface runoff from the numerous historical mining operations in the area; surface water impacts
fzom the existing active mining operations; water withdrawals and discharges from the Town of
Somerset surface water withdrawals for the Fixe Mountain Canal and several other major irrigation
ditches in the area; operation of the Terror Creek Reservoir and associated Terror Creek Ditch;
surface runoff contributions from State Highway 133 and Union Pacifle Railroad properties; and
runoff from agricultural activities within the North Fork Valley.
Monitoring Plans Eor Evaluation of Hydrologic Consequences - OMLLC currently maintains,
and will continue, a comprehensive program to monitor surface and groundwater quality and quantity
for the duration of the proposed mining and reclamation operations. The monitoring program serves
as an integral part of OMLLC's efforts to protect the hydrologic balance by providing an accurate and
timely method of identifying and quantifying any possible concerns with respect to surface and
ground water resources.
The hydrologic monitoring plan provides fox a frequency and distribution of both baseline and
operational monitoring data collection adequate to identify and document baseline conditions and
TA45 2.Oi-99 Revised February 2004