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In 2006 CDPI~ Construction Permit No. CO-6072272 added monthly DMR reporting of site OOlA. Note that <br />ponds A (former Outfal1001A), and H (former Outfal1009A) were deactivated following Phase III Bond release <br />of the Eckman Park area, and were subsequently removed from the newly amended CDPS permit on January 1, <br />2003. <br />Coal Fine Dischazee to Foidel Creek <br />On 09/11/06, The TCC surface foreman notified the Environmental Group of an unanticipated discharge of coal <br />fines to Sedimentation Pond E from a broken thickener underflow discharge line. The line apparently ruptured at <br />a T-connection within a manhole neaz the inlet to Pond E, discharging slurred coal fines into the Pond. The <br />discharge went undetected for some time, and as a result, the slurried coal fines built-up in the Pond and <br />discharged through the principal spillway riser to Foidel Creek. The discharge resulted in a notice of violation <br />fromDRMS (NOV CV-2006-006). <br />Immediately upon notification of the discharge, a TCC surface crew was dispatched to the pond to seal the riser <br />by wrapping it with brattice cloth to stop further discharge of coal fines to Foidel Creek. Simultaneously, <br />Environmental Staff proceeded downstream on Foidel Creek to determine the downstream extent of migration of <br />coal fines with normal low-flows in the stream, placing anchored booms at six downstream locations in the <br />stream to filter and capture coal fines to prevent their further migration. Significant coal fines deposition <br />occurred in the firs[ 2,000 feet of the stream from the discharge point. Suspended coal fines (black water) were <br />carried downstream approximately 2.8 miles by normal streamflows to a marshy azea (appears to be a subsided <br />area) in the vicinity of a road crossing of the rail-line behind [he original Ashley Ranch house. There was no <br />further evidence of coal fines migration beyond this point (based on visual turbidity observations). Further, there <br />were no significant water quality impacts noted downstream beyond this marshy azea. <br />Water samples were obtained at both the discharge of Sedimentation Pond E (prior to sealing the riser) and just <br />downstream of the limit of [he visible coal fines migration. The downstream sample was clear. After setting for <br />24-hours, the coal fines had settled out of the "worst-case" discharge sample from Pond E, resulting in a slightly <br />turbid decant water in the upper portion of [he sample bottle. The initial samples were sent-out yesterday for <br />water quality analysis. The Environmental Staff conducted regular monitoring/sampling of the minor flow at the <br />Pond E dischazge and at several downstream points on Foidel Creek. Analytical data was provided to CDRMS. <br />In compliance with applicable reporting requirements of both our CDPS discharge permit and our Mining and <br />Reclamation Permit, the unanticipated discharge was been reported to the CHPHE-WQCD and CDRMS within <br />24 hours of [he detection of the discharge. TCC also made initial contact with USACE re: emergency permitting <br />of clean-up activities in the stream channel, and with the Colorado Division of Wildlife re: potential aquatic <br />habitat concerns. It was confirmed that the only material discharged was water, coal fines, and a flocculant. <br />Review of the MSDS sheet for the flocculant and a subsequent conversation with, and a-mail from [he floc <br />manufacturer have confirmed that the flocculant is non-hazardous, non-toxic, and does not have adverse effects <br />on aquatic life. This information has been forwarded to the responsible agencies. <br />Subsequent remediation steps included: <br />I) Isolation, dewatering, and clean-out of the coal fines in Pond E; <br />2} Reestablishment of runoff treatment capacity for Pond E. Surface crews placed a trash pump near the outlet of <br />Pond E and pumped decant water from the contained slurry back to the thickener. A longitudinal earthen berm <br />was then established in Pond E to accomplish Steps 1 and 2. CDRMS granted field approval to construct the <br />berm as a "pond maintenance" activity. The coal fines were isolated, and allowed to continue to dry-out, with <br />pumping of decant water from the surface. The partially dewatered coal fines were allowed to freeze and then to <br />removed them for disposal on the coal refuse pile. This work was completed in January 2007. <br />13 <br />