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West Elk Mine <br />• as listed in Table 9. Baseline monitoring will be conducted in accordance with the schedule <br />outlined in Table 10. <br />Table 9 lists the springs included in the current monitoring plan. MCC has selected the water <br />quality pazameters in Table 11 for seasonal baseline measurement to chazacterize the water. As <br />with stream water quality, mining-related changes in water quality that aze known to mobilize <br />metals would cause iron or manganese to be released in readily detectable quantities, and changes <br />in conductivity and TDS will indicate changes in water quality that need be further investigated. <br />As a result, monitoring of these selected pazameters will provide a reasonable basis for detecting <br />mining-induced changes in spring water quality. Therefore, once full-suite analyses have been <br />collected at a site for at least five yeazs, these indicator pazameters (pH, conductivity, TDS, TSS, <br />and iron) will be collected on an annual basis. If not already provided in AHRs, baseline data <br />will be provided to CDMG prior to ]ongwall mining under or within the angle-of--draw of a <br />monitored water resource. <br />Spring water quality samples (Exhibit 19 and Exhibit 19A) were obtained from selected <br />locations. These springs were chosen for water sampling on the basis of geographic distribution, <br />generally reliable flow, availability of previous water quality data, and ease of access. Springs <br />were selected to provide sampling points in each of the major watersheds in the project area, and <br />to provide coverage throughout the lease azea. Along with the water quality analysis in Exhibit 19, <br />. a comparison of the water quality analysis of the springs to water quality standards recommended <br />by the State of Colorado has been performed. Indications aze that spring water quality is good. <br />Most of the springs located above the F-Seam show total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations <br />vary locally and that there is not a large continuous groundwater reservoir supplying these springs. <br />Furthermore, Mayo and Associates conducted a hydrogeologic analysis of the permit and adjacent <br />area in 1999. The complete report is included in Exhibit 18. To summarize Dr. Mayo's findings: <br />the groundwater systems are localized, aze not azeally extensive, and tend to form discrete <br />groundwater bodies that aze not in hydrodynamic communication with each other. Therefore, <br />impacts to the water quality of a spring due to underground mining are highly unlikely. <br />Monitoring of Reservoirs and Stock Ponds <br />Although water level measurements aze not taken on Minnesota Reservoir, the Upper and Lower <br />Dry Fork flumes provide an estimate of the reservoir inflows and outflows. The addition of the <br />ditch company's flume (Middle Dry Fork) upstream of the reservoir has improved the <br />accuracy of the reservoir inflow measurement. <br />In addition, the West Elk Mine, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Paonia <br />Ranger District in Paonia, Colorado, has agreed to informally monitor the USFS surface water <br />resources (stock ponds), as depicted on Map 37, that aze located directly over longwall panels to <br />be mined or within the angle-of--draw per the agreement letter in Exhibit 19C. In addition to the <br />. commitments provided in Exhibit 14C, MCC will also photograph on a yeazly basis the resources <br />that aze located over longwall panels to be mined or within the angle of draw. The results of the <br />2.04-90 Revised November 1004 PRI G <br />