2005-04-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007

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as necessary to meet water quality standazds prior to dischazge and there will be no uncontrolled mine water dischazge after mining is complete which might otherwise degrade surface streams or groundwater. The operation plan indicates most water used for dust control will be absorbed on the coal and tamed from the mine, thereby minimizing the quantity to be treated. Any dischazge will be delivered and treated in the sedimentation ponds and discharged as specified in the NPDES permit. To monitor the changes in water quantity and quality, the West Elk Mine has an extensive ongoing Hydrologic Monitoring Plan. Twenty-four wells are currently being monitored in the alluvium, the Barren Member, the F Seam, the B Seam and E Seam. Sampling occurs seasonally (three times a year). Parameters monitored include, water level, pH, conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total iron, and total manganese. Underground or mine water is permitted for discharge at the following locations: Sylvester Gulch fan site, sediment pond MB-1, the Sylvester Gulch mine water treatment facility, Lone Pine Gulch and Minnesota Creek. The Lone Pine discharge has been discontinued, and the portals sealed. Mine water is dischazged through the main portals to MB-1 and from the mine water treatment facility to Sylvester Gulch.. Quality pazameters appear to be such that B seam mine water will be suitable for treatment and discharge under current NPDES/CPDES permit requirements to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The quantity of groundwater flows discharged averages about 100 gpm. Permeabilities in and near the B seam aze low. Water discharged from the mine has met NPDES criteria with periodic excursions of high alkalinity causing some WET test failures. MCC is currently working with the WQCD and the Division to develop a solution that would eliminate the problem. Twenty-four springs in the area aze also monitored. In 1998 Mountain Coal Company performed an extensive study of the springs in the vicinity of the West Elk Mine. The study showed that nearly all the springs tapped shallow meteoric groundwater in the colluvial deposits rather than bedrock sources. As a result of the study, a revision was made in the monitoring program, with the eighteen springs monitored to include all decreed springs and those which might have some bedrock groundwater component. Springs are also monitored three times a year for pH, conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total iron and total manganese. The springs, to date, show 56