Laserfiche WebLink
1 <br />•1 <br />~~ <br />~~ <br />points, and, for that matter, the values for total iron and <br />total manganese, are high by a factor of at least ten. Much <br />more plausible explanations for these anomalous readings are <br />errors in measurement, errors in reporting or the after <br />effects of a small, localized mud slide. These data are <br />probably not representative of the general water quality data <br />at the mine site and should be disregarded. Page 4-222 should <br />be revised to include only the more plausible explanations for <br />these suspect readings. <br />The second statement was "Some increase in TDS is expected <br />from runoff from the disturbed area, but the existing data are <br />not conclusive whether this has occurred." OSM was concerned <br />that the data being gathered may not be enough to form a <br />conclusion concerning TDS. <br />The Division has reviewed the above statement and believes <br />that there is no problem with the water quality monitoring <br />program at Trapper. In this particular case, the above-quoted <br />statement was made in early 1987 and does not represent a <br />comprehensive analysis of the TDS levels at the monitoring <br />sites. Such an analysis can be found in the 1987 Annual <br />Hydrology Report, on pages 5-2 and 5-3, and in Figures C-20, <br />C-22, C-24, C-26, C-28, C-30 and C-32. Later Annual Hydrology <br />Reports also have a more comprehensive analysis of TDS levels. <br />The Division advises the operator to revise this paragraph on <br />page 4-222, using the water quality analyses found in the <br />Annual Hydrology Reports. <br />2. The Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC) section in the <br />permit application seemed sparse, according to OSM. OSM <br />believed that this section should be expanded to include more <br />discussion, including hard numbers. It was also believed that <br />the PHC should contain predictions of the effects of mining on <br />springs, natural and spoil. <br />The Division believes that OSM has made a valid point. <br />However, part of the problem may be that the PHC information <br />is not in one, continuous location in the permit, but, rather, <br />interspersed with operational information. For instance, the <br />permit application does contain general predictions of <br />postmining spoil spring water quality. However, the discussion <br />occurs in two different places, starting on page 4-227 and <br />again on page 4-234. The Division recommends that the permit <br />application be reorganized so that all of the PHC information <br />is consolidated in the permit. <br />In addition to reorganization, the Division also requests that <br />Trapper expands upon the discussion in the PHC. All of the <br />topics listed in Rule 2.05.6(3) need to be discussed fully. <br />Some discussions that need to be expanded upon are the <br />projections of water quantity and quality impacts of surface <br />