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iii iiiiiiiiniii iii 999 DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 1311 Sherman 51., Raom ?1 5 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: 1303) Bfi6-3567 FA%.1104183?-RIO6 May 22, 1998 Mr. Basil Beaz Beaz Coal Company P.O. Box ] 754 Paonia, CO 81428-1754 Re: 1997 Anuual Hydrology Report; Bear Mine No. 3; Permit No. C-81-033 Deaz Mr.Beaz: ~I~~~ DEPARTMEt~ri OF NATURAL RESOURCES Ruy Romer Governor lames 5. Lochhead E.ecuove Dneoor hvchael B. Lung Dn'ision Director The Division has reviewed the 1997Annual Hydrology Report (AHR) for the Bear Coal Company, Inc., Beaz No. 3 Mine. The frequency of data collection is generally in compliance with the approved monitoring plan contained in your permit; some exceptions to this were noted and aze discussed below. No significantanomalies in water quality data were observed based on a review of the 1997 report and previous AHRs. The water quality data presented for the 1997 AHR show a very slight increase in conductivityand salinity levels for the downstreamNorth Fork sample station versus the upstream sample location. Iron and manganese levels in samples taken from the North Fork of the Gunnison River upstream and downstream sample stations are elevated above the levels previously reported in 1996. There also appeazs to be an increase in iron and manganese between the upstream and downstream stations for the water samples collected in December. In pazticulaz, the levels of iron for both upstream and downstream locations sampled in December exceed the numeric water quality standard for the North Fork of the Gunnison River. As with previous yeazs data, the 1997 data continue to show an increase in conductivity and salinity levels in the down gradientmonitoringwell (AA1) as opposed to AA3. Monitoring well AA1 also showed an increase in temperature in the third quarter of 1997, which is substantially higher than data from the same quarter during previous years. The Division has the following specific comments concerning the 1997 AHR. The Division notes that monitoringwell AAl was destroyed by the slide that became active on November 15, 1997. This well is an important component of Bear Coal Company, int.'s (Bear's) groundwater monitoring program. This well should be replaced at a suitable location that is relatively safe from future potential slide damage. If Bear wishes to remove this monitoring well from the program this would have to be approved by the Division STATE OF COLORADO