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Groundwater
<br />Groundwater data (including baseline information for the 6 new monitoring wells) aze also being
<br />obtained as presented in Section 2.04,7 and, more specifically, at locations identified on Table 4.
<br />The groundwater resources that are monitored or proposed for monitoring are presented in Exhibit
<br />7l and shown on Map 1 of Exhibit 71. These include both an upgradient (SOM-3B and SOM-3E)
<br />and downgradient (O1-11-1 and 03-11-1) monitoring well in both the B and E Seams, respectively.
<br />These wells have been recently constructed so as to be able to assess both background (upgradient)
<br />and potentially affected (downgradient) groundwater conditions in the current B Seam mining areas
<br />as well as the proposed E Seam mining. It is recognized that monitoring well SOM-3E is not
<br />upgradient of all proposed mining areas within the SOD. However, MCC will construct, as needed,
<br />additional upgradient wells and obtain baseline water quality and quantity information for a
<br />minimum of one year prior to mining those areas. The downgradient monitoring wells aze located
<br />so as to be unaffected by mining and therefore adequately located so as to assess potential mining
<br />impacts. These monitoring wells are also appropriately located so as to be able to assess the
<br />potential migration of groundwater from within the MCC mine workings to locations outside the
<br />permit area.
<br />Baseline data for groundwater are also being obtained as presented in Section 2.04.7 and, more
<br />specifically, on Table 4 of Exhibit 71. The groundwater resources that aze monitored or proposed
<br />for mortoring aze shown on Mapl of Exhibit 71.
<br />Monitoring to determine the hydrologic consequences to groundwater is by seasonal measurements
<br />(three times per year to correspond to the start of spring runoff, the peak spring runoff, and the fall
<br />low flow} of water level, well water pH, conductivity, and temperature aze taken for ail monitored
<br />wells. Seasonal sampling and analysis of TDS, Fe, and Mn of the facility area wells and alluvial
<br />wells shown on Table 5 aze also completed. Annually, during the third sampling, afull-suite sample
<br />analysis consisting of pH, conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium,
<br />magnesium, sodium, SAR, hazdness, bicarbonate, chloride, un-ionized ammonia, nitrate/nitrite,
<br />phosphate {PO4 s as 1?), sulfate, iron (total and dissolved), manganese {total and dissolved), arsenic,
<br />cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, and zinc All parameters are analyzed for their dissolved form
<br />unless stated otherwise.
<br />A seasonal, rather than quarterly or semi-annual well and water quality monitoring schedule was
<br />instituted for a variety of reasons. The primary reason for selecfing seasonal sampling is that, in the
<br />case of groundwater monitoring, these aze the only periods of significant changes in groundwater
<br />levels. The groundwater baseline data clearly indicate that there is no reason to attempt to sample
<br />these locations in the dead of winter. The adverse conditions encountered in the remote areas of the
<br />West Elk Mine lease area severely hamper sampling procedures and influence the collection of
<br />meaningful data. As a result, by restricting sampling to the periods of flow and ensuring sample
<br />integrity, MCC will be able to provide meaningful data to the Division while reducing the costs
<br />associated with collecting unnecessary data or data that is not meaningful.
<br />MCC has selected the water quality pazameters above and as outlined in Table 7 for routine
<br />measurement because they aze most commonly associated with coal mining impaction on water
<br />quality. Annual, full-suite monitoring will allow MCC to identify possible mining-induced changes
<br />in water quality. Monitoring data, along with a discussion of any impact observed or projected will
<br />1.05-296 Revised Jwie 1005 PRl0; Rev. March 1006; Rev. May 1006 PRIG
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