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High manganese values may, in part, be due to recharge from the spoil aquifer, although high values are often common, especially in alluvial material (Hem, 1989, pgs. 86-89). Of t he seven wells displaying high values, only three (WHAL7-2, WOV14 and WW14) are indicating an increasing trend fall exist in the permit area). It should be noted that, while the CDOH uses a standard of 0.2 mg/1, the EPA states that this standard is used to protect crops grown in soils with a pH value lower than 6.0. In soils with a higher pH (as are found in the Seneca II-W region), a more appropriate standard would be 10 mg/1 (EPA, 1976). This year, none of the Seneca II-W wells displayed a value higher than 3.26 mg/1. One well, WW14, exhibited boron values, 940 and 970 ug/l, which exceeded the CDOH standard of 750 ug/l. According to the CDOH, the 750 ug/1 standard is set for sensitive crops (CDOH, Reg. 41, 1999), and that the limit otherwise is 5000 ug/1. None of these sensitive plant species are grown commercially in this area. One well, WOV14, exhibited one chromium value, 120 ug/1, which exceeded the CDOH standard of 100 ug/1. This value is suspected to be an error, since all values since mining began were below the detection limit (10 ug/1). At the Seneca II-W shop well, Well 201TC, CDOH drinking water standards were used to determine its suitability. No human health standards were exceeded. The secondary standard for iron (0.3 mg/1) was exceeded with valves of 3.84 and 6.73 mg/1. The secondary standard for manganese (0.05 mg/1) was exceeded with values of 0.127 and 0.157 mg/1. However, bottled water is consumed at Seneca II-W. Also, since the aquifer for the shop well (Trout Creek Sandstone) starts at 280 feet below the Wadge Coal and is separated by confining shale layers, water from this well should not be affected by mining and, therefore, reflects the natural characteristics of the aquifer. 12