Laserfiche WebLink
West Elk Mine <br />• Water quality data from the B -Seam wells supports this statement (see Table 19 in Section 2.04.7 <br />for wells SOM-C-72H, JMB-12, and SOM-129H and annual hydrology reports). This statement <br />also remains true for the water emanating from the B East Mains and 14SE Headgate fault systems <br />within the West Elk Mine. In May 1996, MCC received approval from CWQCD to temporarily <br />discharge the B East Mains inflow water directly to the MB -1 emergency spillway. Direct <br />discharge of mine water through NPDES discharge points 013, 016, and 017 (located in Lone Pine <br />Gulch, the MB -1 spillway, and Sylvester Gulch, respectively) was subsequently approved by <br />CWQCD through formal amendments to MCC's NPDES pen -nit effective May 1997 and February <br />1998. <br />9. "Disturbances and changes to water quality, if they occur, will be manifested in B -Seam <br />discharge water and B -Seam monitoring wells prior to any potential impact to the Rollins <br />Sandstone. The B -Seam is separated from the Rollins Sandstone by siltstones, shales, and <br />another coal seam. It is unlikely that the Rollins Sandstone would be used as a primary <br />drinking water source because of its great depth outside stream valleys and the ready <br />availability of better quality surface water near the stream valleys." (p.30). <br />WWE, along with Messrs. Rold and Dunrud, view it as unlikely that the Rollins Sandstone will be <br />directly affected by mining in the permit area. As mentioned previously, the Rollins Sandstone <br />itself acts as an effective barrier to groundwater. The only significant inflows have been associated <br />with fault and fracture systems. It is important to note that this formation is not used as a water <br />source in the vicinity of the West Elk Mine. <br />• 10. "Monitoring of springs for baseline data and to assess impacts of mining in the F -Seam has <br />been carried out for the past ten years by MCC. Evidence to date indicates that mining has <br />very little, if any, impact on spring flows. The depth of overburden where the B -Seam will be <br />mined in the area of the springs (in the Jumbo Mountain tract) ranges from 400 to an excess of <br />1,000 feet. Based on the experience in the F -Seam and geotecluzical work-, the springs will not <br />be affected significantly by mining in the B -Seam under these overburden depths." (p. 31). <br />WWE's assessment of the Apache Rocks and Box Canyon permit revision areas indicates that the <br />same conclusion applies. Overburden depths within the Apache Rocks pen -nit revision area will <br />range from approximately 400 to 1,100 feet over the E -Seam for the west longwall panels and <br />approximately 800 to 2,250 feet over the B -Seam for the east longwall panels. Overburden depths <br />within the Box Canyon permit revision area will range from approximately 500 to 2,200 feet over <br />the B -Seam. <br />11. "The applicant anticipates no degradation of groundwater quality during mining. The <br />applicant will treat any mine water effluent as necessary to meet water, quality standards <br />prior to discharge and there will be no uncontrolled mine water drainage after mining is <br />complete. which might otherwise degrade surface streams or groundwater." (p.3-2). <br />The available. data indicate that most groundwater quality is adequate to riwct stream standards. <br />Poor quality water, usually a result of increased suspended solids, is directed into sumps within the <br />inine prior to being pumped out the mine through several different locations discussed elsewhere in <br />this section. The detailed discussion in Section 2.05.6 Groundwater Quality Effects indicates there <br />2.05-179 Revised June 2005 PR10, Janwv); 2006. March 2006; Rev. May 2006 PRIG, Nov. 2006 TR107; Sep. 2007 PR12; Feb 2008 PR12 <br />