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Spring and Seep Stations <br />• One water quality sample was collected at spring SPJC-1 during 2004. Field water <br />quality was similar to sampling during the baseline period. Baseline laboratory analysis <br />revealed slightly to moderately alkaline, slightly hard, calcium-sodium bicarbonate <br />water, with total dissolved solids ranging from 300 mg/L to 710 mg/L. Total alkalinity <br />in the samples ranged from 223 mg/L to 409 mg/L, and hardness ranged (as CaCO3) <br />from 214 mg/L to 388 mg/L. pH ranged from 6.70 to 9.15. A summary of the <br />monitoring results are contained in Appendix 3. <br />Pond Sites <br />One pond site was monitored during 2003 (PJC-1). This pond was dry during the May <br />sampling event. Historic monitoring indicated pond sites varied with pH ranging from <br />7.5 to 8.1 and conductivity ranging from 190 umhos to 275 umhos. Water levels varied <br />from site to site; however, no flow was observed at any of the sites. <br />Sediment control ponds have been constructed to treat disturbed azea runoff Discharge <br />from Ponds 6, 7, 8, 9 and 9A occurred during August 2004 (Appendix 3). The <br />precipitation event exceeded the 100 yr 24 hr storm event and the operator request <br />exemption from the water quality standazds established in the NPDES permit. <br />Conclusions <br />Coal mining operations began at Lorencito during the fourth quarter of 2001 and <br />• terminated coal extraction in July 2002. The mine is currently completing final <br />reclamation activities and Phase I release has been requested for the area of active <br />mining. Monitoring to date does not indicate any impacts to local or regional water <br />resources from mining; however, changes in water quality over the past two years may <br />be caused by increased coalbed methane development in lower Lorencito Canyon and <br />side canyon tributaries. <br />• <br />