REP16533

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 8/23/1996
• Doc Name: REVIEW OF 1993 & 1994 ANNUAL HYDROLOGY REPORTS WEST ELK MINE PN C-80-007
• From: DMG
• To: MOUNTAIN COAL CO
• Permit Index Doc Type: HYDROLOGY REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIII III
999
STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Depanment of Natural Resources
131 3 Sherman 51., Room ?1 i

Denver, Colorado &0203 I~~~
Phone: [phone]
FA%:1303)832-8106
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
August 23, 1996 RESOURCES
Roy Romer
Ms. Christine Johnston governor
Mountain Coal Company Tames S. Lochhead
P. O. Box 591 Executive Director

Somerset, Colorado 81434 Michael8 LnnF
Division Dirednr
Re: Review of 1993 and ]994 Annual Hydrology Reports; West Elk Mine;
Permit No. C-80-007
Dear Ms. Johnston:
The Division has reviewed the 1993 and 1994 Annual Hydrology Reports (AHRs) for the
West Elk Mine. This letter presents the Division's comments and recommendations
regarding these reports. Several deviations from the approved monitoring plan were noted
for the frequency of data collection for both the 1993 Water Year (WY) and WY 1994
monitoring plan requirements. Data transcription errors within the data .tables presented
were noted for both the 1993 and 1994 AHRs. In some cases, the minimum and maximum
baseline concentrations presented in the ]994 AHR do not match the baseline values for
the same data set presented in the 1993 AHR. For this reason, the Division recommends
that laboratory analytical data sheets be provided far all laboratory data presented in the
reports. The Division recommends that the laboratory analytical data be provided in future
AHRs as an appendix to the report.
A summary of the main water quantity and quality issues identified based on the Divisions's
review are provided in the following paragraphs. Specific comments are provided below.
Cumulative water quantity effects on the North Fork Gunnison River down gradient of the
West Elk Mine cannot be adequately assessed without the baseline monitoring data for
Upper and Lower North Fork Gunnison River flow data measurements. These data are not
provided in either the 1993 or the 1994 AHRs (refer to comment no. 6/1993 AHR and
comment no. 3/1994 AHR below).
For WY 1993, there is no concise determination of the quantity of mine inflow (see
comment no. 18/1993 AHR). This makes it difficult to calculate an accurate water balance
for the mine site for WY 1993. For WY 1994, additional information is requested to
support the natural inflow estimate presented.