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Tom Gillis <br />-2- Nov.^ml>cr 25, .1981 <br />valley. Even though there are no a~ljudicatr_d springs in the permit and <br />adjacent areas, Blue Ribbon Coal must still conduct a spring survey of the <br />permit and adjacent areas, addmss the contribution these springs have to <br />surface water supplies, and address the impacts of underground mining on <br />spring flow. Springs should he to caierl on a hydrology map along with all <br />surface water bodies and water wells. The flows of the springs should be <br />measured and field measurements of pH and electro-conductivity should be <br />taken quarterly. <br />2) [dater quality monitoring of the alluvial well below Pond 111 in the <br />Hubbard Creek valley should consist of ruarterly monitoring for all the <br />parameters contained on the attached Baseline [dater Quality List (Attachment <br />A) to determine seasonal fluctuations. The number o.f parameters may be <br />reduced by the Division following the completion of a year's baseline. The <br />~"' resubmittal of permit application information nnrst include at least one <br />complete water quality analysis from this well. <br />3) Blue Ribbon Coal Company has no monitoring c~iell completed in the E-seam <br />nor completed in the stratum overlying the E-.seam. The mine is relatively <br />small and the terrain overlying the mine is steep. For these reasons, <br />monitoring wells are impractical anc7 not required by the Division. lfowever, in <br />order to assess the effects of mining on the liyrlrologic balance - ground water - <br />the applicant should monitor the quantity and quality of mine inflows during <br />mining. The applicant should.submit a mine inflow map and a description of <br />the inflows encountered durino mining in it's responses to these adequacy <br />questions. The map should be on a full-scale mine c/orl:ings map, contain the <br />location of each mine inflow or seep, anc? the estimated or measured inflow at <br />each location. The detailed description should include the inflow sourrn <br />(i.e., faults, fractures, seeping floor or roof strata, coal faces, etc.) and <br />observed fluctuations in flow rates. Inflows .should be monitored for pll, <br />conductivity and temperature. <br />Additionally, Blue Ribbon Coal Company should amend their monitoring program <br />to include a yearly submittal of a mine inflow map, description of mine inflows <br />and mine inflow water chemistry. This monitoring of inflo~/s and reporting <br />of inflow data wilt satisfy the requirements for the .mine to monitor the <br />effects of mining on the hydrologic balance under Rules 2.05.6(3) and <br />4.OS.IS. <br />4) The Blue Ribbon mine received water rights to 15 gpm of water from <br />the Hubbard Creek water well (Hubbard Creek Decree, Case Pfo. w-3050), and <br />storage rights for water stored in Blue Ribbon P.eservoir No. 1 (Sediment Pond <br />No. 1) under Hubbard Creek Dr_cree, Case No. w-3051. [dith the four-fold increase <br />in production rate from 50,000 tons/year to .?00,000 tons/year, this water rioht <br />(IS gpm) appears insufficient- to cover the .i.ncrea.secl water required for <br />cooling, dust suppression, fire protection, and domestic uses. Blue Ribbon <br />Coal Company must provide to the Division an analysis of the water requirer~nts <br />of the mine and support facilities in light of it's existing water rights. If <br />the water requirement of the mine exceeds the Lrcree, Dlue Ribbon Coal Company <br />should apply for additional rights. A water rights analysis is needed to find <br />the applicant in conformance with Rules 2.04.7(3), 2.05.6(3)(a) and 4.05.15. <br />If either you or the company have any further questions, please feel free to <br />contact me. <br />/mt .._ r .. <br />by [he Division. <br />r .t <br />