2004-12-07_PERMIT FILE - C1984063

• Permit No: C1984063
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/7/2004
• Section_Exhibit Name: Rule 2.04 Environmental Resources
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• Surface Water - LJater Quality. Surface water quality data
were obtained from the USGS WATSORE and U.S. Environrtiental
Protection Agency (EPA) data storage and retrieval systems.
Water quality data from East, Main, and West Elk Creeks;
East, and main Rifle, and West Rifle Creeks; and trifle Gap
Reservoir were located. In addition, limited water quality
data from springs along the Grand Hogback were obtained from
the BLM. Water quality samples from Harvey Gap, a seep
adjacent to Harvey Gap, and a seep from the mine were also
collected and analyzed. The samples were preserved and
shipped in accordance with EPA guidelines and analyzed by
Grand Junction laboratories. The surface water quality data
is presented in Tables 7 and 8: Surface Water Quality Data
for the Eastside Mine Permit Area and Adjacent Areas. Ire
summary, water quality of the area was generally a
calcium-magnesium cation type. ~An'ion type was
sulfate-bicarbonate. All waters were characteristically low
in chloride. Trilinear plots of the data are shown in
Figure 14: Surface Water Trilinear Plot - Surface LJater
Quality.
Data from the Elk Creek drainage is similar to that Pram the
Rifle Creek drainage and the Grass Valley Reservoir
discharge. This would be expected since both watersheds
originate on the White River Plateau and have similar runoff
. characteristics.
Surface water from East Rifle CreeK is of a clacium sulfate
type. Other significant ions are magnesium and bicarbonate.
Total dissolved_sol_id_s range from about 300 to 600
milligrams per liter (mg/1) and are probably inversely
related to stream discharge. Alkalinity concentrations
varied from 170 to 240 mg/1 and, as a result, the water is
well buffered. Dissolved oxygen concentrates are at or near
saturated levels and pH is slightly basic. Available data
is inadequate to evaluate Ehe existing level of total
suspended solids of East Rifle Creek. Suspended solid
concentrations will be highest during the snowmelt runoff
period and following thunderstorm events.
The water sample collected from Harvey Gap below the Grass
Valley Reservoir contains bicarbonate and sulfate as the
predominant anions. Calcium and magnesium are the prevalent
cations. Total dissolved solids were about 350 mg11 and pH
was slightly basic. This is similar to the East Rifle Creek
water quality. The total dissolved solids !TDS)
concentration was low for both the fall ar~d spring samples.
A higher TDS concentration was found in the seep below Grass
Valley keservoir. Sulfate levels were about three times the
concentration found in surface runoff of Harvey Gap and
52 Revised 5/87