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monitored three times a year for pH, conductivity, <br /> temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total <br /> iron and total manganese. The springs, to date, show no <br /> significant trends or changes which can be associated with <br /> mining activity. Most springs are responsive to spring runoff, <br /> but flow rates are sporadic and many times do not correlate <br /> well with other seasonal parameters such as snowpack, <br /> precipitation, or streamflow. <br /> b. Surface Water Effects <br /> The West Elk Mine plan is designed to minimize the impacts of the <br /> project on the surface water hydrology of the region. Disturbed area <br /> drainage is collected and treated on the site. Sediment pond water <br /> may be discharged to the North Fork or stored when water rights are <br /> in priority for reuse within the mine area. Drainage from undisturbed <br /> land is diverted around the site. Five sedimentation ponds have been <br /> built for the surface facilities area. These are: <br /> MB-1 Large upper pond <br /> MB-2R Large lower pond <br /> MB-3 Small lower pond <br /> MB-4 Train loadout pond <br /> MB-5 Bear pond <br /> Two freshwater ponds, FW-1 and FW-2, are proposed for water <br /> storage. Pond FW-1 is currently in operation. Pond FW-2 will be <br /> constructed in the event that additional water storage is needed and is <br /> not proposed for this five-year permit term. The potential location of <br /> FW-2 has not been discussed in MCC's permit or have designs been <br /> submitted. A system of lined ditches convey water from the disturbed <br /> areas to the ponds. All sedimentation ponds discharge into the North <br /> Fork of the Gunnison River. The mine operation has obtained the <br /> appropriate NPDES permits. Effluent quality for the sedimentation <br /> ponds has been monitored and will continue to be monitored to <br /> determine permit compliance. The applicant will also continue <br /> monitoring of surface water to determine the impact of mining on the <br /> hydrologic regime. <br /> Much of the surface water flow in the lease block is due to snowmelt <br /> with dry season flows mostly supplied by sources at higher elevations <br /> on West Elk outside the lease block. Mining activities will not have a <br /> significant effect on snowmelt runoff or sources outside the lease <br /> block. Life of mine operations in F, B, and E Seams are not expected <br /> to have an impact on streams as subsidence and propagation of <br /> fractures are to be minimized under the proposed mine plan sections <br /> contained within the permit application. <br /> 35 <br />