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~w III III'll'll llll 111 <br />• ti~~OF`O9>~ STATE OF COLOI~llC~ <br />Roy Romer, Gove <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION <br />DAVID C. SHELTON, Director <br />May 6, 1987 <br />Mr. John H. Menke, III <br />Senior Engineering Technician <br />Colorado Westmoreland, Inc. <br />P. 0. Box 1299 <br />Paonia, Colorado 81428 <br />Re: First Quarter 1987 Reports - Orchard Valley Mine - Permit No. C81-038 <br />Dear Mr. Menke: <br />~s <br />I have completed my review of the CWI first Quarter 1987 reports received <br />May 4. The reports were thorough, accurate and informative. Hydrology <br />information submitted indicates a well maintained drainage control system at <br />the Orchard Valley Mine. East Roatcap Creek water quality data indicates that <br />construction of the West !dine Facilities did have a small impact on strearl <br />water quality. During construction (12-1-86 to 1-5-87) there was an average <br />increase of 25 mg/1 total suspended solids and 80 mg/1 total dissolved solids <br />from the upper to lower sampling site. Following construction (1-12-87 to <br />3-17-87) there was an average increase of only 4.4 mg/1 total suspended solids <br />and 40.9 mg/1 total dissolved solids. <br />One would not expect an increase in sediment load in East Roatcap Creek during <br />the months of November, December, and January. The, higher increase in <br />sediment load in the stream, near the disturbed site, during December can be <br />attributed to construction activities at the West Mine; however, the increase <br />is not large enough to warrant concern. December precipitation (0.9 inches) <br />was lower than normal, and, as a result, did not produce the runoff amount <br />anticipated by the Division. <br />My only question is what is the design capacity of the permanent (upper) waste <br />dis osal area? As reported, the waste disposal area currently contains 44,017 <br />yd.~ of gob and waste rock. With the addition of remaining lower waste pile <br />material and waste rock produced from future mining when is the upper waste <br />pile expected to reach full capacity? <br />423 Centennial Building, 7373 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203-2273 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />