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<br /> <br />I. General Comments Continued <br />3) Addition of NaOH to the discharge to raise pH. <br />Samples of the discharge were taken by MLRD at the portal and the pond <br />spillway (NPDES discharge point 003). Surface parameters were measured at <br />these points and at the v-notch weir, where flow was estimated at 70 gpm. At <br />NPDES point 003, pH measured 3.4 and EC 4170 umhos. An NOV was not written <br />due to the re-law nature of the dischar a the mitigation measures being <br />tnstttuted by the operator, a re a tvely minor impact to the hydrologic <br />balance due to high flow conditions, and the jurisdiction of CDH over point <br />source discharges. <br />The refuse area sediment pond was inspected and found to be in compliance. A <br />ground water sample was taken from the associated well (D1-A), and sent to <br />Bookcliffs Lab for analysis. <br />The inspection continued with a walk of the refuse pile. Two seeps were noted <br />at the base of the third lift. At the diversion ditch at the top of the third <br />lift it was noted (in a cut) that the non-toxic cover on the refuse pile might <br />be deficient. Four feet of non-toxic material is required. Three test holes <br />were dug on the third lift. The hole at the top (topographically) of the lift <br />had 10 inches of non-toxic material covering the refuse. The hole at the <br />mid-slope of the third lift had 8 inches of non-toxic cover. The hole at the <br />bottom of the lift had 18 inches of cover. Water was encountered in this <br />hole. Field parameters measured: pH = 6.5, EC = 3370 umhos. A sample of <br />this water was sent to Bookcliffs lab for analysis. One test hole was dug at <br />the top of lift 2. The hole was dug to two feet, and contained cover material <br />to that depth. NOV C-85-037 was written for failure to cover the refuse pile <br />with four feet of non-toxic material. <br />Mine No. 3 was inspected and found to be in compliance. Anew NPDES permit <br />had been granted to discharge water from Mine 3 directly into North Thompson <br />Creek. At the time of the inspection, the mine was discharging 245 gpm with a <br />pH of 8.1 and EC of 1454 umhos. <br />The mine fan on Middle Thompson Creek and the new mine fan site were inspected <br />and found to be in compliance. A yellow flower was volunteering on the <br />topsoil stockpile. A sample was taken and later identified as Golden Smoke <br />(Cordalis aurea). <br />At the loadout, the truck dump and tipple were both found to be in <br />compliance. The required culvert maintenance at the tipple had been <br />performed. The operator is planning to fence the topsoil stockpiles at the <br />tipple to prevent damage to trees by cattle. <br />The Kaiser-Sievers irrigation ditch was throughly inspected and found to be <br />operational. No concerns were noted. <br />