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-3- (d) With respect to surface disposal of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes, and other wastes in areas other than the mine workings or excavations, stabilize all waste piles created by the permittee from current operations through construction in compacted layers, including the use of incombustible and impervious materials if necessary, and assure that the leachate will not degrade, below water quality standards established pursuant to applicable federal and state law, surface water or groundwaters and that the fina contour of the waste accumu at~on will be compatible with natural surroundings and that the site is stabilized and re vegetated according to the provisions of this section; It is inappropriate for P1LRD to pass judgment on the WQCC's and the Department of Health's ability to establish stream standards. These standards were established after consideration of the testimony of many interested parties, only one of which was CF&I. These standards were established after the Department of Health reviewed the literature on the toxicity of chemical constituents in water on plants, animals, and man. The natural or ambient water qualities of the streams were used to modify the standards. Where ambient levels of a chemical constituent exceeded levels known to be toxic the standard levels were revised upward in some cases. I have stated previously to Jack Gillespie of CF&I that total recoverable ion concentrations are appropriate measurements for water quality in the surface streams. I have also stated that the water quality analyses should be preformed by a laboratory approved by the Colorado Department of Health (CDH) which is familiar with the analytical methods required by CDH. Total ion concentrations include the sum of: 1) the ion concentrations dissolved in the water, 2) the ion concentrations adsorbed on suspended sediment particles, 3) the ion concentrations which are exchangeable with suspended sediment particles, and 4) the ion concentrations bound within the structure of the suspended sediment particles. Total recoverable ion concentrations include the sum of all the ion concentrations mentioned above with the exception of the ion concentrations bound within the structure of the suspended sediment particles. Total recoverable ion concentrations measures those ions which are dissolved; or which are soluble upon slight changes in pH, oxidation potential (Eh), or ionic balance of the water; or which are readily extracted from particle surfaces by plants and animals. (Plants by adsorption at the cellular/particle contact and animals within the digestive and respiratory systems.)