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• • -_- Several sections of the findings document, detailed approvals for variances from the Regulations. These are listed below: 1. The Division granted a variance from the spacing of culverts as required in Rule 4.03.1(4) for the first 3,300 feet of the haul road. This variance has not resulted in any adverse environmental effects. 2. Two areas of abandoned coal mining were present at the mine site prior to commencement of operations in 1979. The McCallum Mine was mined through and completely backfilled in Stage 1 of the Bourg operations prior to this permit approval. The other mine, a small outcrop excavation, was mined through in Stage III of the mining operation prior to this permit approval. The Division and.MSHA approved mining through the second area (see findings document page 34). There have been several unanticipated hydrology related concerns at the mine. While these have not yielded adverse environmental impacts, many were not predicted to occur. In the permit application the operator predicted a small amount of ground water would flow into the pit from faults encountered during mining. As mining has progressed, the inflows have become more significant and the source does not appear restricted to faults. The operator pumped these inflows to Ponds A, B, and C, until it was determined that Pond C was leaking back into the pit. The operator has since discontinued using Pond C, and diverted all the Pond C inflows into a sump in the pit. As necessary, this water is pumped from the pit to Ponds A or B or fur use in watering the roads. Most pit inflows occur in the spring. The sediment ponds have all discharged at least one time. The discharges at Ponds C and H occurred only one time as a result of a severe storm in August, 1983. Ponds A and B typically discharge in the spring as a result of snowmelt runoff and increased pumpage from the pit due to increased pit inflows. There have been several noncomplying discharges, all but one as a result of the severe storm previously mentioned. There have been no reported problems since spring of 1984. In the spring of 1984, Walden Coal Company began noticing a hydrogen sulfide smell coming from their alluvial wells. The source was thought to be either the coal seams in the area or oil and gas drilling activities immediately upstream in Mann Draw. Subsequent well sampling revealed elevated levels of oil and grease, and sulfide. These levels appeared to decrease over the next month as the pollution slug moved downstream through the sampling area. Field investigations by Division personnel determined that the most likely source of the pollutant is the oil and gas wells upstream of the mine. The Oil and Gas Commissioner was notified of the location and level of pollutants. The operator will notify the Division if any further suspect smells or analyses are received. In the meantime, Walden Coal Company Company has received permission from the Division to leave these wells uncapped to prevent gas build-up.