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<br /> <br /> • The main water source of the mine was changed from the high TDS(>5000 ppm) alluvial <br />' well water to a significantly lower TDS (500 ppm) surface lagoon. <br />' • The raw water tank was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove sludge built up over <br />years. This sludge was found to contain significantly high levels (1000 colonies/ml) of <br /> bacteria. <br /> <br /> • An MSHA waiver was received to stop the use of Wendon Dustrol-10 surfactant in the <br />' water spray at the longwall face. The surfactant has been found to be lethal to fish life at <br />500 ppm. <br />1 The WOCD also sent an effluent sample and prior toxicity reports to the EPA laboratory in Duluth, <br />Minnesota to investigate the cause of toxicity. WOCD never heard from EPA in this regard. <br />WOCD does not think it is now necessary since the mine has been passing the WET for the <br />preceding three years. A copy of fhe letter dated January 30, 1997 from WOCD is attached in <br />Appendix H. <br />On December 28, 1992, WOCD wrote to WFU (now BME) asking either (i) to develop a control <br />program which eliminates the toxicity through treatment of the TDS or (ii) to perform a study which <br />determines if TDS is having a toxic effect on the stream and to develop a level of TDS at the <br />discharge point at which an instream impact is not expected. On March 29, 1993, BME submitted <br />a plan to use the Rapid Bioassessment Protocol III per EPA guidelines. Under this plan, BME <br />would test the extent of impairment, if any, on the aquatic life in the White River due to the mine <br />water discharge. It will involve sampling and testing of micro-invertebrates. No fish will be <br />' collected since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife refused to grant permission to do so because of the <br />endangered squawfish being planted in the river. BME never heard from WOOD or received <br />WOCD's approval of this plan. WOCD thinks it is now not necessary to do this task since the <br />mine has been passing the WET test for the last three years. See Appendix H for WOCD's letter. <br />' The toxicity problem with the mine water was limited to the first longwall district. Mining in this <br />district was completed in early 1993. The district has since then been sealed underground. There <br />has been no pumping of accumulated water from underground during this water year. <br />2.3 Red Wash Alluvial Monltoring Program <br />' Portions of Red Wash have experienced subsidence due to longwall mining at the Deserado Mine. <br />As required by CMLRD, BME initiated a detailed hydrology monitoring program in Red Wash <br />' above the first longwall panel to be mined. The monitoring p?ogram consisted of nine (9) holes <br />' 16 <br /> <br />