2020-03-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS proposed single seam operation in Section 16. Groundwater monitoring locations are shown on Map 10B. As further evidence to support this conclusion,the reader is referred to the document by Skogerboe and others (1979) entitled "Environmental Effects of Western Coal Surface Mining, Part III: The Water Quality of Trout Creek, Colorado". The authors examined the effects of a surface mine on the groundwater and surface water quality. They concluded that changes in groundwater quality are a function of spoils age, area disturbed, contours and local precipitation. Chemical data presented in the quality section for drainage water showed levels of constituents consistent with the values of the other quality samples at the mine. Their report also points out that the increases in surface water quality values were due to non-control of spoils drainage. This is not a factor at the Colowyo Mine, since Colowyo grades the spoils to a final grade that drains to a designed drainage system. Concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater should not be affected further, because of the extremely limited groundwater supplies and the role that alkalinity plays in containing soluble concentrations. Surface Water General Area The water quality in the general area is extremely variable, resulting from precipitation generated runoff and minor groundwater seepage. No adverse impacts are predicted for water quality in the general area as a result of mining operations. Primary constituents of concern for water quality in the general area are TSS, TDS and its related parameter specific conductivity. Data reported by Parker and Turk (1981), Skogerboe and others (1979) and Bishop and others (1982) all reflect the variability in these parameters. In fact, seasonal, flow-related, and runoff- related variability is extreme for all of these parameters. TSS in the Yampa River basin are high due to the seasonal precipitation, soil and vegetation types, and drainage slopes. Many aquatic organisms have adapted to these periodic, high levels of TSS in the Yampa River and include the Colorado Squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub. (Gila cypha), humpback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and bonytail chub (Gila elegans), all native species. Historically, the lower sections of the Yampa River have been the habitat areas of these organisms. Recent fish capture data of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service show some of these organisms to be present in the Lily Park pool downstream of the mine areas (USFWS 1977). The naturally occurring TSS loads generated in the general area will continue to occur undisturbed. TDS and specific conductivity values are also extremely variable by season and will not be impacted by the Colowyo Mine. Data presented by Bishop and others (1982), previously discussed, show that the Colowyo Mine will have no effect on these parameters in the short or long term. In fact, the Colowyo Mine was left out of the analysis because of the anticipated no effect. Rule 2 Permits 2.04-35 Revision Date: 12/20/19 Revision No.: TR-135