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<br />Water Quantity and Quality (includes 1993 analysis <br />1. Water levels and flow volumes were generally within <br />established ranges during 1994. Presently subsidence <br />impacts to undermined hydrologic features are not <br />apparent. Two interesting observations are worthy of <br />note regarding groundwater quality. First, well B07 near <br />the east portals is completed in the Mancos Shale and <br />until early 1993 had measured conductivity values in the <br />range 100-300 umhos/cm. However, since that time, 13 <br />measurements indicate a conductivity averaging near 1000 <br />umhos/cm. Although the operator indicates the 1994 <br />values were within the range previously established, they <br />only fall within the previously established range due to <br />a sudden and dramatic increase in conductivity occurring <br />in 1993. The operator should attempt to explain this <br />apparent mine related impact. Second, a noticeable and <br />sudden drop in conductivity values since 1990 is noted in <br />the East Roatcap Creek and Stevens gulch colluvial wells. <br />What phenomena accounts for this noted change in EC? <br />Subsidence Report <br />1. Once again, as previously stated in past reviews, I do not <br />agree with the subsidence monitoring plan as approved in the <br />permit nor do I believe that it meets the requirements of Rule <br />2.05.6(6)(c). Monuments are being surveyed semi-annually and <br />reported annually rather than quarterly and semi-annually, <br />respectively, as the Rules require. Furthermore, the operator <br />is reporting to the Division each year which stations will be <br />surveyed the following year. When a review is conducted in <br />August, and the Division may not agree with the reduction in <br />subsidence monitoring posed by the operator, one can see that <br />it is a little late to speak up since 7 months of the <br />monitoring year have passed. Clearly, by Rule, the Division <br />needs to approve of any reduction of monitoring (Technical <br />revision definition 1.04(136)). Simply stated, the operator <br />should monitor quarterly, submit data semi-annually, and stick <br />to a set monitoring site schedule until changed or modified by <br />an approved technical revision. <br />2. The operator seems unable to survey the required stations with <br />a reliable degree of accuracy. Three station survey <br />discrepancies are explained by potential errors in surveying <br />or changes in survey techniques. It is absolutely essential, <br />not to mention required by the Rules, that the operator <br />collect and submit valid and accurate data. No conclusions or <br />determinations of mining impact can be made using data which <br />contains the magnitude of errors presented by this report. <br />You may want to speak to Jim Pendleton about "second order" <br />surveys and the accuracy which we require. I would recommend <br />that an independent, professional surveyor be obtained by the <br />mine to collect data which the Division can rely upon as <br />baseline or at minimum compare to the existing data for <br />