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' Somerset Mining Company ' 1994 Annual Hydrologic Report are expected to be similar to those collected in 1981 and 1962 and further, no significant difference in quality is expected between ' the upstream and downstream monitoring points. Prior to Technical Revision No. 20, the monitoring schedule ' required monthly field parameters, quarterly full suite for stations NF-1 and NF-2 per Note 2. Snow and ice on the river banks makes the collection of samples difficult if not dangerous. Because of the snow and ice conditions in January and February, ' field parameters were not measured. In a letter to SMC dated April 14, 1994, Steve S. Shuey, ' Environmental Protection Specialist, with The Division of Minerals and Geology stated in parts: "The Division does not feel that conditions described were bad enough to preclude required hydrologic monitoring of groundwater wells SC-1, SC-2, SC-3 and surface water monitoring sites NF-1 and NF-2." "Upon review of inspection reports, aerial photographs, and weather conditions in the North Fork Valley during January and February 1994, the Division has determined that Somerset Mining Company's lack of due diligence in performing hydrologic monitoring required by Permit No. C-81-022 is a violation of the Rules of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining." The Division issued Notice of Violation C-94-007. This Notice of ' Violation led to both Technical Revision No. 20, which revised the monitoring schedule, and to Minor Revision No. 24, which specified steps Somerset will take to ensure that the hydrologic monitoring is conducted as required by the approved permit, and to also define conditions that Somerset believes would preclude the required monitoring. In March and April the monthly field parameters were measured and in March the full suite of surface water parameters prior to Technical Revision No. 20 was sampled and analyzed. In June, ' September, and December stations NF-1 and NF-2 were monitored for field parameters and the full suite of surface water parameters after Technical Revision No. 20 was analyzed. ' Surface water monitoring stations AG-1 "A" Gulch, BG-1 "B" Gulch, CG-1 "C" Gulch, HN-1 Hawksnest Creek, HG-1 Hoopla Gulch, and BC-1 Sardine Canyon, are designed to monitor flow characteristics in the ' respective creeks and gulches. These surface water monitoring points are designed to verify that the underground mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of run-off from ' these ephemeral drainages that seldom have flow. Monitoring results collected during 1992 and 1993 will be the baseline information with which future monitoring results will be compared. 5