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West Elk Mine <br />Surface and underground protection measures for streams are presented in Section 2.05.6(6). <br />Augmentation and other mitigation measures for surface water rights that may be impacted are <br />presented earlier in this section. <br />Springs <br />Baseline data for springs are also being obtained as presented in Section 2.04.7, and more <br />specifically, in Table 5 of Exhibit 71 and as recommended in Exhibit 71A. The spring resources <br />that are monitored or proposed for monitoring are shown on Map 34. <br />Monitoring to determine the hydrologic consequences to springs is by seasonal measurements (three <br />times per year to correspond to the start of spring runoff, the peak spring runoff, and the fall low <br />flow) are taken of spring flow, pH, conductivity, and temperature. Annually, during the second <br />sampling period, springs are additionally monitored for laboratory analyses of total dissolved solids <br />(TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), calcium, magnesium, sodium, SAR, hardness, bicarbonate, <br />chloride, nitrate/nitrite, phosphate (PO2 -3 as P), sulfate, iron (total and dissolved), manganese (total <br />and dissolved), aluminum (dissolved), arsenic (total recoverable), cadmium, copper, lead, mercury <br />(total recoverable), molybdenum, selenium (total recoverable), and zinc. All parameters are <br />analyzed for their dissolved form unless stated otherwise. <br />A seasonal, rather than quarterly or semi-annual spring flow and water quality monitoring schedule <br />was instituted for a variety of reasons. The primary reason for selecting seasonal sampling in the <br />case of spring flows, these are the only periods of measurable flow. Most of the springs are <br />ephemeral or intermittent at best, except in the wettest years. The spring flow baseline data, <br />summarized graphically in the Annual Hydrology Report, clearly indicate that there is no reason to <br />attempt to sample these locations in the dead of winter. The adverse conditions encountered in the <br />remote areas of West Elk Mine lease area severely hamper sampling procedures and influence the <br />collection of meaningful data. As a result, by restricting sampling to the periods of flow and <br />ensuring sample integrity, MCC will be able to provide meaningful data to the agency while <br />reducing the costs associated with collecting unnecessary or data that is not meaningful. <br />MCC has selected the water quality parameters above and in Table 5 of Exhibit 71 for routine <br />measurement because they are most commonly associated with coal mining impact on water <br />quality. Annual, full -suite monitoring will allow MCC to identify possible mining -induced changes <br />in water quality. Monitoring data, along with a discussion of any impacts observed or projected, <br />will be provided in an Annual Hydrology Report to be submitted by June 30 each year. <br />Surface and underground protection measures for springs are presented in Section 2.05.6(6). <br />Augmentation and other mitigation measures for surface water rights that may be impacted are <br />presented earlier in this section. <br />2.05-295 Rev. 06/05- PRIO, 03/06- PRIG, 05/06- PRIO, 05/09- TRIP,, 08/18- PR15 <br />