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.t ~` OA POST OFFICE BOX 518 SOMERSET, CO 81434 (970)929-5775 iii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil. sss December 19, 1997 Mr. David Berry Senior Environmental Protection Specialist State of Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Re: Bear Coal Company Dear Mr. Berry: RECEI\!Er nFC i ~ 1967 r;ieiC~Cn Ci r.iinCr;;.~C ~. r.,1GUlcr y The DMG's letter dated December 9, 1997 transmitted a list of questions from ARCO regazding the slide and water dischazge situation at the Beaz No. 3 Mine. Following are Beaz's responses to ARCO's questions. Enclosed aze fourteen file folders which contain the information and data requested by ARCO. Please provide a detailed history of water outflows from the Edwards Mine. How long and at what times have you observed dischazges? How lazge have these dischazges been? Do they show variability? Have you sampled and analyzed water quality or made visual observations about water quality? How have you managed this dischazge? Have you treated the water prior to release and conducted monitoring? Beaz -Bear has never noted an outflow from the Edwards Mine. The first outflow from the azea of the Edwards Mine occurred on November 17, 1997. 2. Based on our site inspection on December 2, the Edwards Mine outflow was conveyed directly into the North Fork Gunnison River. It was our understanding, however, that this water was to be first directed into the Bear Mine sedimentation pond, rather than being directly discharged to the North Fork. Please clarify this situation for us. Bear -Bear's existing dischazge permit provides for the discharge of mine water directly to the North Fork of the Gunnison River through Outfall 001. Therefore Beaz was prepared to handle the mine water discharge which emerged on November 17, 1997. 3. Have you conducted an evaluation of the water quality impacts to the North Fork posed by this dischazge? What did you do and what does the investigation show? Have you conducted biological or chemical monitoring to evaluate impacts?