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<br />Runoff from approximately 14 acres of undisturbed land in dryland wheat productions, 6 <br />acres of disturbed land and 30 acres in various stages of reclamation is routed through <br />the existing sedimentation pond in the northeast portion of the permit area. SCC received <br />a water right for this pond on February 9, 1982 (see Appendix G-2). Outflow from the <br />sedimentation pond is monitored at CPDES Discharge Point 001 (Permit No. CO- <br />0037656). Table G-2 presents the results of weekly monitoring at the CPDES discharge <br />point. A copy of the CPDES permit granted to SCC is included in Exhibit M. Comparison <br />of the CPDES effluent limitations with the data presented in Table G-2 indicates that the <br />pH, floating solids/visible foam, and oil and grease limitations and monitoring frequency <br />requirements have been consistently met. There have been several excursions beyond <br />the 25 mg/I total suspended solids limitation. These excursions have been caused by <br />algal blooms which are enhanced by nutrient-rich runoff from the 14 acres of cultivated <br />land. SCC attempted on several occasions to rectify this problem through application of <br />copper sulfate algalcide. The problem persisted, so SCC applied for a variance from the <br />total suspended solids limitation. A copy of the request for variance (which was <br />subsequently granted) submitted to the Colorado Water Quality Control Division is <br />included in Appendix G-3. As mining progressed and the pit expanded, surface drainage <br />• from agricultural lands drained to the pit and was diluted by disturbed area runoff and <br />ground water eliminating the algae problem, so the request for variance was withdrawn. <br />SCC enlarged the existing sedimentation pond to accommodate the increased runoff from <br />the expanded Phase I disturbance area. The design calculations for the enlarged pond <br />are provided in Appendix G-1 and pond configuration and specifications are illustrated by <br />Exhibit G-3. The enlarged pond has a storage capacity of approximately 1.2 acre-feet, <br />which is twice the capacity of the original sedimentation structure (0.56 acre-feet). The <br />increased storage capacity has extended water detention times, allowing organic matter <br />resulting from algae blooms to settle out before the water is released in most cases. A <br />manually operated dewatering device provides additional control over discharge water <br />quality. SCC applied for and obtained a modification of the original water right for this <br />pond to include the additional 0.64 acre-feet of storage capacity provided by the pond <br />expansion. <br /> <br />G-3 Revised May 1998 <br />