REV07958

• Permit No: C1981021
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 12/2/1988
• Doc Name: TR TO REVISE WATER MONITORING PLAN AT BOURG STRIP MINE PN C-81-021 TR4 ADEQUACY CONCERNS
• From: MLRD
• To: WALDEN COAL CO
• Type & Sequence: TR4
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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~~~°l~A STATF, OF COLOI~P~DO
Roy Romer, Govei
DEPARTMENT OFNATURALRESOURCES
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
FRED R. BANTA, Director
December 2, 1988
h1s. Kay James
lJalden Coal Company
P.O. Box 229
Boulder, Colorado 80306
RE: Technical Revision to Revise Water I•tonitoring Plan at the Bourg Strip
14ine, Permit C-81-021, TR-O~-, Adequacy Concerns
Dear t4s. James:
Tl~e Division has reviewed the above referenced technical revision for
adequacy. We cannot, at this time, approve discontinuing all water monitoring
at the Bourg Kline. However, our analysis of the situation has led us to
conclude that reduced monitoring would be appropriate at this time. With this
in mind, the Division has the following observations, concerns, and
suggestions:
1. The depth to water in all ground water monitoring wells in the alluvium
of f4ann Draw has increased since mining began;
2, Ground Water quality has degraded since the onset of mining, however, for
all parameters except iron and perhaps lead, water quality is still
better than the minimum standards for livestock use;
3. In the future, one could expect that the backfilled pit area would be
recharged from adjacent formations, rainfall and snowmelt and, as has
been stated in the permit application, there may be a physical connection
between the I+lann Draw alluvium and the disturbed Coalmont Formation
(mined area);
4. As with other reclaimed strip mines, the rising ground water level in the
backfilled areas may express itself in spoil springs or by recharging the
nearby alluvial areas.
Based on this potential impact and in compliance with rule 4.05.13(1) and (2),
the Division believes that some reduction of monitoring is possible but that
some monitoring of the groundwater wells should be retained. The frequency of
monitoring could be reduced as follows:
Ground lJater
1. t4onitor depth to water in 4lells 30A and 33C quarterly.
215 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203-2273 Tel. [phone]