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During the inspection, there was zero feet of head on the PSSA upper synthetic liner, rather than the 30 feet of head assumed for illustration purposes above (worst case analysis). The analysis, as presented in Dr. Lupo's letter, demonstrates that even with greater than six times the amount of head that could have been possible at the time of the inspection, the potential settlement of the SLF is well within specifications. DMG has also raised a question about potential impacts to the clay in the SLF. Dr. Lupo conducted a seepage analysis using the standard EPA protocol applied to synthetic liners. This analysis assumes a one squaze centimeter hole in the liner and then analyzes seepage flow velocities with an assumed hydraulic head (hypothetical 30 feet of head as worst case analysis), and reviews potential impacts to the type of clays present in the SLF. The analysis concludes that there is no potential impact to the clay in the SLF and in fact the flow velocities are three orders of magnitude less than the allowable criteria, even while applying greater than six times the maximum hydraulic head possible at the time of the inspection. The technical response to DMG's questions demonstrates that the SLF will not be negatively impacted by a hydraulic head on the liner which far exceeds the maximum head possible at the time of the inspection. In addition, erosion and dispersion from hypothetical pond seepage, as analyzed according to EPA protocol, will not damage the SLF. Cuttine of the Geomembrane Durine the Construction Period Geomembrane is routinely cut during the construction of the VLF to perform the DMG required destructive testing. The destructive testing requires that a section of the synthetic liner be physically cut and removed for testing purposes. Following the removal of a piece of liner, the liner is then repaired according to approved specifications, and the repair is then tested in place, according to approved testing methods, to assure geomembrane integrity. The cut in the liner observed during the Inspection was very similar to the cut routinely required for a destructive liner test. The cut was observed by Golder Associates as the third party Construction Quality Assurance contractor to assure that it was accomplished in a manner similaz to that used for destructive testing, so that the liner could be readily repaired and tested using the approved methods. The cut in the liner observed during the Inspection was repaired and tested using approved methods and certified by Golder Associates as the Construction Quality Assurance contractor. DMG observed the repair on Friday May 30, 2003. DMG Allowance for Draining of Precipitation from the Ore Stora e Area The Inspection Report references past DMG approval, during construction, for opening the liner in the Ore Storage Area in order to drain water directly onto the SLF. The