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• Trace Elements <br />Many of the trace elements found to be below the detection limits for the springs sampled <br />were also found to be below detection limits for the wells sampled. These trace elements <br />aze azsenic, cadmium, cazbonate, mercury, nitrite, nitrate, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphate, <br />selenium, and zinc Other trace elements found at detectable limits are consistent within <br />each well at levels that do not indicate high or low fluctuations of these elements. Overall, <br />elements that are detectable and those that aze not have been consistent throughout the <br />groundwater well monitoring program at the Carbon Junction Mine. <br />CONCLUSIONS <br />Hydrologic sampling of three natural springs occurring above and below the mine site <br />showed no significant changes in pazameter values during the 2004 water yeaz that would <br />indicate concerns with water associated with the area of the coal mining operation. <br />Springs 1 and 3 were dry during the October 2003 sampling event, flowed in Mazch 2004, <br />and were dry again in June 2004. Spring 4 was dry in October and December 2003, and <br />was flowing during the Mazch sampling period. pH has generally increased slightly in <br />Springs 3 and 4 over the prior four water yeazs, though this water year pH values <br />decreased. The pH value in Spring 1 decreased from the same time period in water yeaz <br />2003. Springs 3 and 4 have exhibited slight to significant decreases in the concentrations <br />of bicazbonate and manganese. Both Springs 3 and 4 have shown slightly increased <br />concentrations of magnesium and sulfate over the past four water years. Changes during <br />the last three to four water years in magnesium and sodium concentrations may well be <br />linked to drought conditions over the last few water yeazs in the area. Concentrations of <br />these two ions have attenuated somewhat this water yeaz, lending some verification to the <br />drought cause hypothesis. <br />Groundwater wells above and below the mine site showed few significant changes in <br />parameter values during the 2004 water yeaz. Well 95-1 showed overall decreases in EC, <br />TDS, chloride, and magnesium concentrations over time. Well 17-B (above the mine) <br />revealed a slight decrease in pH and EC this water yeaz. Well 95-1 showed slight <br />elevations in manganese concentration for the last two water yeazs, though these levels <br />remain within historic ranges. <br />SEDIMENT POND INSPECTIONS AND DISCHARGES <br />The Cazbon Junction Mine has two sediment ponds, 001 and 002. Michael Savage of <br />Savage and Savage, Inc. prepared inspection reports for both sediment ponds during the <br />first (October 28-29, 2003), second (March 23, 2004), third (April 30, 2004) and fourth <br />(September 21, 2004) quarters of the 2004 water yeaz. Sediment pond inspection reports <br />aze included for the 2004 water yeaz. No significant concerns were identified during the <br />inspections. <br />Gtban JuncLbn Mine Page 12 <br />Mnual Hydrdogk Reporefor Wafer Year 2004 <br />