PERMFILE41947

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 4/8/2005
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Part 2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West Elk Mine
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As discussed in Section 2.04.7, surface water resources have been studied extensively by MCC
since 1976. Map 34 and Table 5 shows the existing hydrologic monitoring network. The surface
water monitoring network at the West Elk Mine consists of the following:
Streamflow and/or water quality monitoring stations on the North Fork (USGS) upstream
(USGS) and downstream of the mine, Sylvester Gulch; Gribble Gulch, East Fork of
Minnesota Creek, Lick Creek, Dry Fork, Horse Gulch, East Gulch east of Horse Gulch,
Deep Creek and Box Canyon. No stations were placed on Raven Creek as a result of a
subsidence protection zone stipulated in the Lease and EA.
2. Flow measurement estimates, water quality sampling and/or field water quality parameter
measurements at springs above the F-Seam, springs above the B-Seam in the North Fork
drainage, springs/ponds in Jumbo Mountain, springs in or below the F-Seam in the North
Fork drainage and springs above the E-Seam in the Dry Fork drainage.
This monitoring program information has been used to estimate thePHCs from both a quantity and
quality standpoint. Surface water hydrologic consequences aze described in this section for the
following:
• streams;
• springs;
(. • reservoirs ans stock ponds;
• wetlands;
• water rights; and
• min water systme, including North Fork water, sanitary water, mine water, and runoff from
disturbed areas.
Streams
Stream hydrology and sediment transport have been conceptually quantified for the permit azea by
WWE and Mr. Emest Pemberton, P.E. Mr. Pemberton was formerly the Chief Engineer for the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Sedimentation and River Hydraulic Section. He is a respected expert
in the field.
RnckQrnvind nn .Ctranm Channolc and H~rnln~ - Much of the current permit azea is located within
the North Fork drainage basin. Specifically, the current pemut area lies within the Dry Fork of
Minnesota Creek, Gribble Gulch, Lone Pine Gulch, Sylvester Gulch and Deep Creek drainages.
The Box Canyon and Apache Rocks permit revision areas include a portion of Sylvester Gulch,
Box Canyon, the unnamed drainage west of Box Canyon, and a tributory to Raven Gulch.
Approximately 1,080 acres of the Apache Rocks permit revision azea is located within the Dry Fork
of Minnesota Creek basin. That portion also includes parts of the Horse Gulch, Pond Gulch, and
Slide Gulch drainages, as well as two unnamed drainages east of Horse Gulch. The Apache Rocks
permit revision area totals 2,502 acres and 1,424 acres (57 percent) aze in the North Fork drainage.
All of the 1,440 acres within the Box Canyon permit revision and i690 acres in the West Flat Iron
azea are within the North Fork basin.
2.05-149 November 2004 PRI!