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REQUEST FOR RELIEF OF PRIMARY TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS <br />(TSS) AND TOTAL IRON EFFLUENT LIMITS <br />OXBOW MINING OUTFACES 012 AND 016 <br />JANUARY 2005 <br />During the period January 4 through January 10, 2005 the southwestern United States in <br />general and western Colorado in particular, received an abnormally wet and warm flow <br />of moisture from a series of upper ]evel, low pressure centers originating from the Pacific <br />Ocean. <br />During this same period, the OMLLC Elk Creek mine experienced a very high level of <br />precipitation in the form of rain and sleet accompanied by abnormally warm temperatures <br />on top of a "normal" January snow pack. The following Table #1 summarizes the high <br />temperatures and precipitation occurring during this time period. The data source is the <br />Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine weather monitor station located nearby across <br />State Highway 133 from the OMLLC Elk Creek mine. The raw data printouts are also <br />submitted for your information. <br />Table #1 - OMLLC Elk Creek Mine Precinitation and Temnerature. <br />Date 24 hour Precipitation Total (inches) High Temperature (F°) <br />January <br />4 <br />0.19 <br />39.87 <br />5 0.44 29.58 <br />6 0.18 27.74 <br />7 0.10 29.7 <br />8 0.44 32.9 <br />9 0.62 36.83 <br />10 1.08 37.58 <br />11 1.18 39.62 <br />12 0.32 33.53 <br />Total 4.55 inches <br />During this period of elevated precipitation, not only were there elevated levels of local <br />surface runoff, but the warmer temperatures also contributed to the melting of the <br />existing snow pack. The Local snow pack dropped by at least 18 inches. <br />The result was the increased inflow and rapid filling of Pond B (Outfall 012) to within 18 <br />inches of the emergency spillway and the decanting of water over the Pond D (Outfall <br />- -- <br />- - - - 016j prunary spillway.- To maintain stabs tty and-capacity ofthe Porid B with respect to - - - - <br />the uncertain duration of the string of Pacific storms the primary outlet was opened on <br />1/10/2005 to facilitate discharge. The Pond B outlet was closed on 1/13/2005. The <br />outflow from Pond D was also observed to have ended by 1/13/2005. <br />2 <br />