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West Elk Mine <br />sedimentation ponds MB-l, the original MB-2, and MB-3, and the freshwater pond, FW-1. <br />Approval was received on February 3, 1981, and is included in Exhibit 45. Exhibit 66 contains the <br />new designs for ponds MB-2R and MB-3. The Exhibit 43 and Exhibit 44 designs are no longer <br />valid for these ponds. Exhibit 66 contains an as-built drawing that reflects the addition of a dike in <br />the pond to create a north and south cell. However, the drawings included in Exhibit 43 do <br />accurately reflect other structures associated with MB-1 (i.e., fire primary and emergency <br />spillways). Exhibit 66 also contains the design information for SG-l located at the SylvesterGulch <br />Facilities Area. See Exhibit 46 for the original design specifications and for the current designs for <br />MB-4, Unit Train Loadout Sedimentation Pond. Pond MB-4 was relocated in 1998 from the east <br />side of the wain load-out to an azea west of the load-out between two sets of train tracks. The <br />relocated sediment pond is constructed of concrete and is preceded by an oil skimmer and a <br />sediment trap. Design criteria for Ponds MB-5 are contained in Exhibit 47, and an as-built survey <br />is contained in Exhibit 66. Ponds MB-2 and MB-6 no longer exist and were replaced by new pond <br />MB-2R. Design criteria for the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) pond, designated the "RPE" pond, <br />are included in Exhibit 70. <br />Hydrologic Design of Runoff Ponds <br />Seven storm drainage sediment control structures are used as settling ponds for storm water runoff <br />from the mine site. These ponds have been designed according to CMLRB regulations (see <br />Exhibits 43, 47, 66, and 70). <br />These ponds have been constructed to contain an estimated three years of sediment storage volume <br />. and a runoff storage volume resulting from the 10-yeaz 24-hour rainfall event. Sediment will be <br />excavated, allowing for additional storage, when sediment has reached the maximum storage <br />capacity. Sediment volumes are estimated by a quarterly visual evaluation. The smaller ponds <br />MB-3, MB-4, and MB-5, usually dry during a portion of the year and sediment levels, relative to <br />the primary dischazge structure elevations, can be visually determined. The lazger ponds usually <br />contain water and visual evaluations aze less accurate. These ponds, MB-1, MB-2R, and SG-] will <br />be surveyed at least every three years to determine the actual sediment levels. <br />The CMLRB requirements for the emergency spillway sizing are 25-yeaz, 24-hour storm flows, or <br />100-year, 24-hour storm flows, depending on the size of the structure. The spillways for MB-3, <br />MB-4 and MB-5 were sized based on the 25-year, 24-hour storm, while MB-1, MB-2R, and SG-1 <br />were sized for the 100-year, 24-hour storm event in accordance with the requirements of the State <br />Engineer. Drainage basins for the spillway sizing are shown on Map 54, Sediment and Drainage <br />Control Facilities. The RPE pond has been designed to completely contain the runoff from a 100- <br />year, 24-hour stonrr event. Designs are included in Exhibit 70. <br />MB-1 and MB-2R have been classed in the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Hazard <br />Assumption "B" category. Accordingly, the probable maximum precipitation inflow design flood <br />has been reduced to the "B" assumption. This assumption is justified in that the lazgest storm <br />drainage(sedimentcontrol pond has a storage volume of less than 15 (acre-feet). Furthermore, the <br />potential for loss of life is minimal as immediate downstream households aze limited in number <br />and could be evacuated quickly. In addition, the impact on the North Fork of the Gunnison River is <br />minimal since the energy from such a small volume of water would be quickly dissipated. <br />2.05-29 RevisedJan 1996 RV03: Revised A'ov. 1996 PROi;ReviseJJan. 1997 TRi9: RevsedJul. 1997 TR8?: Revised Jun. 1999 TR90 <br />