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Spring and Seep Stations <br />No water quality samples were collected at springs during 2003; however, water quality <br />• sampling during the baseline period revealed slightly to moderately alkaline, slightly <br />hard, calcium-sodium bicarbonate water, with total dissolved solids ranging from 300 <br />mg/L to 710 mg/L. Total alkalinity in the samples ranged from 223 mg/L to 409 mg/L, <br />and hardness ranged (as CaCO3) from 214 mg/L to 388 mg/L. pH ranged from 6.70 to <br />9.15. A summazy of the monitoring results are contained in Appendix 3. <br />Pond Sites <br />One pond site was monitored during 2003 (PJC-I). 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 area runoff. One <br />dischazge from Pond 9 was recorded on September 2, 2003 (Appendix 3). The dischazge <br />met water the alternate limitations quality standards 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. Monitoring to date does not indicate any impacts to local or <br />• regional water resources from mining; however, changes in water quality over the past <br />two years may be caused by increased coalbed methane development in lower Lorencito <br />Canyon and side canyon tributaries. <br />I• <br />8 <br />