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Drafr West Elk Mine 2005 Annual Hydrology Report 6 3.0 HYDROLOGIC MONITORING The hydrologic monitoring program for the Project includes monitoring surface water resources, springs and seeps, ground water resources, the underdrain, and pertinent mine water sites. Routine monitoring includes collecting field water qualiTy data (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature) three times per year and collecting samples for laboratory analysis annually. .Flow or water level measurements are collected three times per year. The three monitoring periods correspond with the rising limb period between April 3rd and May 13d', the peak flow period between April 21s' and June 26d', and the low flow period between July lOd' and October 8"'. A separate baseline monitoring schedule is followed for approximately one year prior to mine development or two years prior to permit approval for newly added monitoring sites. The baseline schedule involves collecting field water quality data, recording flow or water level measurements, and collecting samples for laboratory analysis of permit-specified water quality parameters on a monthly basis. Site accessibility and mine development timing are considered when detemuning baseline schedules. Baseline monitoring is typically conducted monthly from April through October. Since most areas at the West Elk Mine area are inaccessible through the winter months, baseline monitoring is unfeasible and is typically not required from November through March. A • summary of the routine and baseline monitoring schedule frequencies is presented in Table 1. Table 1. Monitoring Frequencies 1'I Routine Monitorin Baseline Monitorin Month Flow / Level Field Parameters Laboratory Anal sis al Janua Februa March Rising Limb - Apri13 to May 13 Aril X X Peak Flow - Apri121 to June 26 Ma X X Low Flow -July 10 to October 8 June X X Jul X X Au ust X X Se tember X X October X X November December "' Per discussion vnth J. Burnell, CllMG, 2005 cz> Site Specific Schedule September 2006 HydroGeo, Inc.