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Once construction of the mine facilities was completed and mining operations commenced, surface <br />facilities site runoff was diverted into the surface site sedimentation ponds (see the Collection and <br />Diversion Channels Section of this Chapter). <br />Any dischazge of water from the ponds to the North Fork of the Gunnison River is in accordance <br />with effluent limitations and monitoring requirements stipulated in the NPDES pernut. See Exhibit <br />7 to this Mining and Reclamation Plan. Should monitoring data indicate a violation of any effluent <br />limitation specified, Mountain Coal Company will notify the State, and proceed immediately to <br />correct the violation. MCC will periodically conduct maintenance and install erosion control in <br />channels to minimize contributions of sediment to stream-flow or run-off outside the pernut azea. <br />Management of the refuse disposal areas and sedimentation ponds to minimize water pollution aze <br />the major hydrological concern during operations. <br />During operations, water will be dischazged from the mine. The water from the mine is routed <br />through the surface drainage system into the sedimentation ponds or discharged via the Lone Pine <br />Pipeline or Sylvester Gulch Dewatering Facility . No appreciable amounts of water discharges from <br />the portal tunnels. The dischazge water is treated, if necessary, to meet water quality standazds. <br />Should more groundwater be encountered than anticipated, prior to dischazge of excess mine water, <br />an analysis of anticipated water quality and quantity and its effects on the receiving stream will be <br />provided. The F, E and B coal seams aze not of an acid or iron producing nature. The dischazge <br />from the mine has a minimal effect upon the existing hydrologic balance. <br />The loadout facilities consisting of the silo, loadout conveyor, and loadout building aze designed to <br />prevent negative impacts to the river. Transfer points at the silo and the loadout building aze <br />enclosed, and have dust suppression systems (water sprays). The loadout conveyor is in an enclosed <br />gallery where it crosses the river and the CDOT highway bridge. The loadout building is totally <br />enclosed and runoff from the area impounded within the limits of the facility where it is treated <br />before dischazging. <br />All diversion stmctures are designed for use throughout the life of the West Elk Mine. See Exhibit <br />44, Exhibit 47, and Exhibit 66 for details of the design of these stmctures, including stability <br />analyses where appropriate. <br />The ditches have been designed and constmcted to follow existing drainage routes. Overtopping the <br />collection and diversion ditches would create localized flooding of the immediate azea; however, <br />damage would be minimal as flows would most likely enter the next downstream ditch or culvert <br />and flow to the sediment pond. The future access road to the upper waste rock disposal azea would <br />be closed to traffic during such times. Since most of the ditches aze lined with shotcrete or other <br />such energy dissipators, problems would be minimal. <br />Ponds MB-1 and MB-2R have been shown to safely pass through the spillways the runoff from a <br />2.05-37 Revised Jan. 1997 TR79 <br />