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classification of potentially usable quality is selected for these two specified areas in this review. The TDS level <br />criteria of potentially usable quality is 10,000 mg/1 for both of these specified azeas. Post mining spoil water was <br />expected to have average TDS values of 3,000 mg/1 (PAP page 2.5-96). However, discharges from sedimentation <br />ponds fed by spoil springs have TDS values in the 4,OOOs, and at times approach 5,000 mg/I. Water from the spoil <br />aquifer would be expected to have TDS levels that correspond to the spoil springs. Values of TDS in monitoring <br />well WR-1, a spoil sampling point, have ranged as high as 4570 mg/1 to date. [This prediction is called to the <br />attention of the operator in an adequacy letter.] As indicated above, spoil spring discharges appear to have an impact <br />on specified Trout Creek alluvium with TDS values in the 4,OOOs. All these values are less than 10,000 mg/1. Thus <br />the Edna mine is in compliance with potentially usable quality criteria with regazd to Trout Creek alluvial and spoil <br />aquifer specified areas. <br />There is a known domestic use of the Trout Creek Sandstone within a zone of potential impact, and this aquifer <br />could possibly serve as a ground water supply for the postmining rangeland use. However, the potential impact <br />from mining activities to the Trout Creek Sandstone is limited. The shale bedrock in the low-wall of the mine pit <br />may be a permeability barrier to subsurface discharge of leachate. The Trout Creek is a few hundred of feet deeper <br />than the mined coal sequence, and most likely is not in hydraulic communication with the bottom of the pits due to <br />relatively impervious intervening layers. In addition, leachate has lower head than adjacent bedrock in most place, <br />and there is minimal opportunity for leachate to infiltrate these bedrock units. Regional hydrology indicates <br />ambient head in any permeable bedrock unit can be expected to be several tens of feet above the elevation of the <br />unit; the head exerted by spoil leachate ranges between only 25 ft. and 50 ft. In addition, there has been no change <br />in the range, and no indication of rising values in, the monitored well TCS-1. The TDS threshold for this <br />classification is also 10,000 mg/1. The maximum TDS value in TCS-I was 860 (except for a likely error) during the <br />monitoring period 7/1995 through 10/2003. There was no sample taken during 2004.monitoring. Thus the mining <br />activity is considered to be in compliance with this rule for this specified area. <br />Colorado Discharge Permit System <br />Dischazges at the Edna mine aze regulated by the Colorado Dischazge Permit System permit number CO-0032638. <br />The AHR does not include information on applicable monitoring. The operator is asked to include the information <br />by reference (Discharge Monitoring Reports are provided to the Division under separate cover). No dischagges <br />exceeded permit criteria during water year 2004 with the exception of a WET test in the first quarter of 2004. <br />Page 7 <br />