PERMFILE122542

• Permit No: C1980003
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/13/2000
• Section_Exhibit Name: 1996 Rule 2.05 Operations and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Rule 2.05
. Previous findings by the MLRD in conjunction with mine permit renewals confirmed operator compliance
with the requirements of Rules 2.04.11, 2.05.6(2) and 4.18 regarding protection of fish and wildlife
resources.
2.05.613) Protection of Hydrologic Balance
The surface water quantity and quality portions of the initial pemut application can be found in Section
2.04.7 (Volume I), Appendix I (Volume IV), Appendix L (Volume V) and Appendix S (Volume VIII). Appendix
E, Volume III contains the original sediment control plan developed by M-K. Surface water quality data
for the smaller drainages aze given in Exhibit AA and CC of the volume exti<led Exhibit II. The original
NPDES permit and baseline monitoring plan are compiled in Appendix K (Volume IV). The original
surface water monitoring plan was described in Section 2.05.6(3). Section 2.05.6(3)(b)(10), Protection of the
Hydrologic Balance, was revised and updated by HGCC as part of the ]986 permit renewal process, and
submitted to the MLRD in November 1986. The current surface and groundwater monitoring programs
are described in Section 4.05.13 of this document. Results of the monitor well, spring and surface water
sampling program aze presented in Annual Reclamation Reports. For convenient reference, copies of the
Annual Reports for 1990 through 1994 azea provided in Appendix E. These reports include water
monitoring data from 1987 forwazd.
The DMG relieved HGCC of their surface water and groundwater monitoring requirements as part of the
paztial Phase II/Phase III bond release. Supporting documentation is found in Attachment D of TR-68.
Surface Water
Regulaz monitoring of surface water quality in Hayden Gulch since final reclamation was completed (1987)
. has not indicated any significant changes in water quality. TDS levels at the Upper Hayden Gulch site
have varied from about 540 to 850 mg/1 with no apparent wend. The pH has remained essentially
constant in the 8.0 to 8.5 range. Heavy metals and trace constituent levels do not appeaz to present any
problems. TSS has varied from 2 to 104 mg/l with no readily appazent cotrelaton between TSS values
and flow rates. Estimated flow values have ranged between 0 (no flow) and 1.0 cfs, in appazent response
to yearly snowpack and seasonal precipitation conditions.
Water flows in Lower Hayden Gulch appeaz to have increased over pre-mine levels as flows at this site
are now perennial and were ephemeral prior to mining. Estimated flow rates range from 0.01 cfs to 1.0
cfs, with some apparent response to snowmelt and rainfall conditions. TDS levels have varied from 646
to 2748 over a nine year monitoring period, with the predominant constituents being sulfate, sodium,
calcium and bicarbonate. The pH has remained fairly constant with a range of 75 to 8.5. As with the
Upper Hayden Gulch samples, TSS concentrations have varied substantially; from less than 1.0 mg/1 to
310 mg/l, with no apparent correlation to flow although the higher values were usually observed in the
Fall. Heavy metals and trace constituent levels appear to be acceptable. No obvious trends or significant
changes in water quality have been observed.
HGCC revised the hydrologic impact assessment as pazt of [he Phase II/Phase III bond release
application. The assessment indicated that recent water quality (1994-1997) was similaz to that observed
between 1987 and 1994. The DMG's findings concurred with the assessment that the Hayden Gulch
mine had not adversely affected water quality.
Groundwater
Spo$ springs RSP-3 and RSP-4, shown on Map 3, Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Sites, have
been sampled every spring since 1987 and 1985, respectively. Flow rates aze estimated from visual
. observation and samples aze analyzed for an extensive suite of parametexs. TDS concentrations in RSP-3
have ranged from 610 to 1004 with sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate and sodium the predominant
constituents. The pH has remained steady, ranging fzom 7.0 to 7.6 (held values). Estimated flows have
varied from less than 1 to 6 gpm. Data evaluation suggests that water quality has not changed significantly
since monitoring began and that Elow rates aze lazgely a function of snowpack depth and the speed of
spring snow melt.
2.05-15 Revised - G/01