2018-06-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (7)

Home Browse Search

RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 4.04 Support Facilities The support facilities used at the mining operation, including the office, shop and warehouse complex,the coal handling and loadout facilities, are shown on the Existing Structures.- North Map (Map 21) and the Existing Structures - South Map (Map 22). Many of the support structures were constructed at the mine start-up in 1976-1977. The complete discussion on all the support facilities is found under Section 2.05.3. Detailed drainage and sediment control has been developed for the mining operation as discussed in Section 2.05.3. All sediment control measures have been designed to prevent damage to wildlife and other related environmental values; also, sediment control structures have been designed to prevent contributions of suspended solids to runoff outside the permit area in excess of the limitations of both federal and state law. There are no operating oil or gas wells at or around the planned mine; likewise, there is no coal slurry pipeline planned or around the mining area. The only operating railroad in the vicinity of the mine is the Colowyo spur line that serves the operation. All White River Electric power lines are located out of the actual mining area. Colorado-Ute Electric Association has a power line in the path of future mining. Portions of this line will be relocated as required. The Mountain Bell telephone lines are located at a distance from the actual mining areas. All water and sewer lines located in the permit area serve the Colowyo structures and are located away from the actual mining areas. 4.05 Hydrologic Balance 4.05.1 General Requirements The surface mining activities at Colowyo have been planned and will be conducted to minimize changes in the prevailing hydrologic balance, in both the permit and adjacent areas, and to prevent long term adverse changes in the balance that might result from the activities As a preliminary step in minimizing adverse changes, hydrologic baseline information has been and is being collected, compiled and analyzed. The baseline monitoring programs are outlined in Section 2.04.7. This data provides detailed information on quality and quantity of surface water, drainage patterns, and geology. The description of the current hydrologic monitoring program is included in the following pages and results of the current monitoring program are included in the annual report. In addition, Section 2.05.6 details the specific mining and reclamation techniques which Colowyo will implement to minimize changes to the hydrologic balance. The post-mining land use as described in detail under Section 2.05.5, will be rangeland. Changes in the hydrologic balance will be minimized so that the post-mining land use will not be adversely affected. Water quality standards and effluent limitations at the existing mining operation are regulated by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Health. under the terms of an NPDES Permit, (See Exhibit 7, Hydrological Information), and by the Coal Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. The applicable effluent limitations will be met by using treatment methods which will include prompt revegetation, minimizing disturbed areas, sediment retention, use of contour furrows,terraces, sediment ponds and, if necessary, strategically placed energy dissipaters, such as riprap, check dams, mulches, filters and dugouts. Water quality control measures are discussed in detail under Section 2.05.4 and 2.05.6. Where practicable, diversion methods will be used to change the flow of water from undisturbed areas so as to bypass the disturbed areas rather than using treatment facilities. The principal technique to be used for this purpose will be diversion ditches. These diversion ditches are located on the Hydrology - South Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-6 Revision Date: 5/11/18 Revision No.: MR-187