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<br /> <br /> <br />4-1 <br /> <br />Section 4 <br />DQOs and Criteria <br />DQOs are qualitative and quantitative statements that are intended to clarify the study objectives, <br />define the data to be collected, determine the appropriate conditions for data collection, and specify <br />the quantity and quality of the data needed to support the decision-making process. The DQO <br />process outlined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) consists of seven <br />iterative steps that are identified in Table 4-1. Table 4-1 defines the DQO steps for the Project and <br />references what section of the SAP each step is addressed. <br /> <br />Table 4-1. DQO Process <br />DQO Step RCQ Section Addressed <br />Step 1: State the Problem <br />Ground disturbing activities, such as mining, have <br />the potential to have an adverse impact on surface <br />and groundwater quality. <br />- <br />Step 2: Identify the Goal of the Study <br />The goal of the Project is to characterize baseline <br />water quality and hydrologic conditions prior to <br />Project development. <br />Section 1 of the RCQ Baseline Surface <br />Water and Groundwater SAP. <br />Step 3: Identify Information Inputs <br />The SAP describes the types of baseline data to be <br />collected to assist in the evaluation of the RQC <br />baseline for permit applications. <br />Sections 3 through 4 of the SAP. <br />Step 4: Define the Boundaries of the Study <br />The study area consists of USGS Sections 24 and <br />25, T20S, R68W in Freemont County and Section <br />19, 20, 29 and 30, T20S, R67W in Pueblo County. <br />Figure 1 of the SAP. <br />Step 5: Develop the Analytic Approach <br />The suite of analyses to be conducted were <br />developed to document the characteristics of <br />surface water and groundwater prior to any mining. <br />Sections 3 through 4 of the SAP. <br />Step 6. Specify Performance or Acceptance <br />Criteria <br />Sample performance and acceptance criteria are <br />based on regulatory guidance and industry <br />accepted sampling practices. <br />Performance and acceptance criteria are <br />identified in the QAPP and specific SOPs <br />Step 7: Develop the Plan for Obtaining Data The SAP and SOPs describe the overall sampling to <br />be implemented. <br />The plan for obtaining data is described in <br />the project Work Plan <br /> <br />The objective of QA/QC is to obtain analytical results from sample analyses that are representative of <br />actual chemical and physical composition of the media sampled. Field QA/QC will consist of following <br />standard protocols for sample collection and collecting and analyzing sample duplicates and field <br />blanks. The duplicates are used to determine both field and laboratory precision. The field blank is <br />used to check the integrity of sample collection and handling. Both the duplicate and field blank <br />samples are stored and handled in the same manner as the normal samples.