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<br />-g- <br />The purpose of submittal of these reports is to assess the impacts that mining <br />operations have had on the hydrologic balance during that year and <br />implications for future mining operations. This is accomplished by means of <br />comparing ongoing sampling for the year with that collected during baseline <br />and subsequent years. The more complete the documentation, the easier it is <br />for the company to substantiate predictions of hydrologic impact and renew or <br />revise the permit. The Division is not responsible for data reduction and <br />tabulation to substantiate predications made by the company as to the effects <br />of mining, that is the responsibility of the company. Once the initial <br />tabulation is accomplished it is relatively easy to add a years worth of <br />collected data. <br />Information contained in the Annual Hydrology Report should include: <br />a. Results of all hydrologic data collected for that year and any past <br />baseline or ongoing data collected, tabulated such that trends in the data can <br />be readily identified. <br />b. Discussion of any developing trends, anomalies or missing data related <br />to that year's monitoring program. <br />c. Evaluation of impacts of mining and reclamation on the hydrologic <br />balance during that year and predictions of anticipated hydrologic impacts for <br />up-coming years. This evaluation should not be limited to salt loading but <br />should address any chemical parameter which appears to be developing a trend <br />toward increased concentration in the hydrologic system. <br />P&M may want to consider investigating, through the Division's open files, the <br />Annual Hydrologic Reports of other mines in the area of the Edna Mine to gain <br />more information on data tabulation and evaluation. <br />I will be glad to answer any questions that P&M may have. The hydrologic <br />balance of this area will become increasingly important as P8d4 prepares to <br />move into the Moffat Area, an area of previously undisturbed land. <br />Summary <br />Because present mining is in an area of previous disturbance, it does not <br />appear to be having a negative impact on the surface waters of Trout Creek or <br />Oak Creek. <br />Trout Creek carries enough flow to provide dilution of waters from the mine <br />area, both previously disturbed spoils water and water related to present <br />mining activities. There is some degradation in water quality from upstream <br />of the mine to downstream, however the water quality still falls within <br />acceptable limits established for Trout Creek. The parameters periodically <br />showing above the acceptable limits are so at both the upstream and downstream <br />sites. These are not the same parameters that showed increases from upstream <br />to downstream sites. <br />