HYDRO26957

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 10/19/1999
• Doc Name: 3rd Qtr 1999 DMRs
• From: J E STOVER & ASSOCIATES
• To: WQCD
• Permit Index Doc Type: DMR’s
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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October 12, 1999
J. E. STOVER & ASSOCIATES
2768 COMPASS DRIVE, SUrfE 101
GRAND JUNC'f[ON, COLORADO 81306
PHONE: [phone], FAX [phone]
Colorado Department of Health
Water Quality Control Division
wQcD-PE-s2
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80222-1530
Attention: Permits and Enforcement
Re: Powderhorn Coal Company
CDPS Permit No. CO 0027146
Dear People:
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1999
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GRAND JUNCTION
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On behalf ofPowderhorn Coal Company, enclosed are discharge monitoring reports for CDPS Permit
No. CO 0027146, outfalls 001 through 015. The reports are for the third quarter of 1999.
Outfail 004 Non-ComRliance Z~lanation
On August 11, 1999 a significant storm event upset the water handling system in the North Portal.
Please refer to the attached Sump Location Schematic. The water handling procedure at the time of
the significant storm event was to stage water from Sump No. 3 to Sump No. 1. The water was
allowed to settle in sump No. 1 before it was discharged to surface pond No. 12, outfal1004. The
combination of detention time in the two sumps and pond was adequate to settle suspended solids
to an acceptable level. However, the storm event added sediment laden water to the relatively clean
water in Sump No. 1 and upset the wazer handling system. Therefore, the water in Sump Nos. 1 and
3 was marginally suitable to unsuitable for discharge. On Thursday August 19, 1999, Commercial
Testing & Engineering personnel notified Powderhorn Coal Company of anon-compliance discharge
from outfall 004. The total suspended solids value for a split sample supplied by the Division of
Minerals and Geology (DMG) on August 13m was 71 mg/1 which exceeded the daily maximum value
of 70 mg11. The DMG's analysis of the split sample was 164 mgR. A sample taken on August 16°i
had a total suspended solids value of 69 mgJl. The non-compliance discharge lasted about 5 days.
The DMG took enforcement action for the non-compliance discharge. Notice of violation NOV-49-
007 was written for failure to ensure that water discharged from an underground mine complies with
aft federal and state caws and regulations.