HYDRO26167

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 12/2/1994
• Doc Name: EXCEEDANCE OF A NPDES POINT MOUNTAIN COAL CO PN C-80-007
• From: DMG
• To: DAVID BERRY
• Permit Index Doc Type: NPDES
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY f
Depanmem of Natural Resources I~~~~
1313 Sherman 51., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX. [phone]
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Roy Romer
DATB: December 2, 1994 Governor
lames S LochheaA
TO: David Berry E>ecu~ive D~reaor
Michael B. Long
PROM: Christina Johnato Division otrecim
RE: Exceedaace of a NPDES point; Mountain Coal Company; Permit No. C-80-007
Henry Barbs of Mountain Coal Company (MCC) called this afternoon to inform me
that HB-1 (002) exceeded the total suspended solids (TSS) daily maximum of 70
mg/1 on October 26, 1994. Depending on the results of other samples, the 30-day
average of 35 mg/1 may have been exceeded ae well. HCC takes a pre-discharge
sample and sends it to a CT 6 E Laboratory for analysis. The sample was analyzed
for TSS at 35 mg/1, so the pond was discharged. A sample was taken at the time
of the discharge and was sent to Grand Junction Laboratories. The sample was
analyzed for TSS at 112 mg/1. The TSS concentration for a pre-discharge sample
taken earlier in the month for MB-1 was 38 mg/1 and the discharge sample was 64
mg/1. The same two labs were used.
Mr. Barbs believes the inconsistency of TSS concentratlone between the two
samples may be a quality control issue with the labs. He plane to teat their
quality control during the month by sending both labs blanks and splits of
samples.
Mr. Barbs told me he also informed Rathy Calaman with the Water Quality Control
Division (WQCD) of the exceedance. He told me she asked why MCC waited eo long
to report the exceedance. Hr. Barbs told me he explained to her that there is
a 14-day turn around for the lab to provide the results. The results were sent
to Mike Price of HCC. Mr. Price is responsible for collecting the sample and
discharging the pond. Mr. Price was on vacation and did not return until after
the Thanksgiving holiday. Hr. Barbs reviewed the results on November 29, 1994,
and called Grand Junction Laboratories to ask them to confirm their analyses.
He received their confirmation last night.
I told Mr. Barbs that we (DHG) do not take enforcement actions on self-reporting
on NPDES discharge monitoring reports since it ie the Health Department's permit
and because that ie the agreement we have worked out with them. The WQCD has the
option of taking an enforcement action first. If they do not take any action,
we will decide if any action ie required on our part. Mr. Barbs told me that he
will send me a copy of all correspondence between MCC and WQCD concerning this
matter.
CE J/0071202