PERMFILE137431

• Permit No: C1980003A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 11/28/1995
• Section_Exhibit Name: 1996 RULE 2.05 OPERATIONS AND RECLAMATION PLANS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

Rule 1.05
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.
2.05.8131 Protection of flydrologie Belenee
The surface water quantity and quality portions of the initial permit application can be found
in Section 2.04.7 (Volume IJ, Appendix I (Volume IVJ, Appendix L (Volume VJ and Appendix S
(Volume VIIIJ. Appendix E, Volume /11 contains the original sediment control plan developed
by M-K. Surface water quality data for the smaller drainages are given in Exhibit AA and CC
of the volume entitled Exhibit II. The original NPDES permit and baseline monitoring plan are
compiled in Appendix K (Volume IVJ. The original surface water monitoring plan was described
in Section 2.05.6(3J. Section 2.05.6(3J(bJ(IOJ, Protection of the Hydrologic Balance, was revised and
updated by HGCC as part of the 1986 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 [his document. Results of the monitor well, spring and surface water
sampling program are presented in Annual Reclamation Reports. For convenient reference,
copies of the Annual Reports for 1990 [hrough 1994 area provided in Appendix E. These
reports include water monitoring data from 1987 forward.
Surface Water
Regular monitoring of surface water quality in Hayden Gulch since final reclamation was
completed (1987) has not indicated any signifiant changes in water quality. TDS levels at [he
• Upper Hayden Gulch site have varied from about 540 [0 850 mg/I with no apparent trend. The
pH has remained essentially constant in the 8.0 to 8.5 range. Heavy metals and trace constituent
levels do not appear to present any problems. TSS has varied from 2 to 104 mg/l with no
readily apparent correlation between TSS values and tlow rates. Estimated flow values Rave
ranged between 0 (no flow) and 1.0 cfs, in apparent response to yearly snowpack and seasonal
precipitation conditions.
Water flows in Lower Hayden Gulch appear to have increased over pre-mine levels as flows at
this site are now perennial and were ephemera] 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 7.5 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/1, 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 [rends or significant changes
in water qu~ity have been observed.
Groundwater
Spoil 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 are estima[ed from
visual observation and samples are analyzed for an extensive suite of parameters. TDS
concentrations in RSP-3 have ranged from 610 to 1004 with sulfate, alcium, bicarbonate and
sodium the predominant constituents. The pH has remained steady, ranging from 7.0 to 7.6
(field values). Estimated flows have varied from less than 1 to 6 gpm. Data evaluation suggests
that water quality has no[ changed significantly since monitoring began and that flow rates are
largely a function of snowpack depth and the speed of spring snow melt.
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11/36/95 3:)Opm mP51/cm< 2.05-15 Revised - 11/28/95