1986-06-13_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981018

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-14- 1979 indicate that a majority of the dissolved solids content of Red Wash originates in the headwaters. The pH of surface water in the Deserado Mine area and adjacent areas, tends to be rather constant, varying normally between 6.6 and 8.5, with no significant difference being noted in the White River above and below the lease area tributaries. Both total and dissolved iron concentrations vary widely over this area, but not significantly between the upper and lower White River Stations (SW12-1 and SW11 -2, respectively). This is as expected, due to the probable association of iron with sediment (Hem, 1970), which tends to increase with flow. Total manganese concentrations in the area are low (normally less than 0.1 mg/1 ). They also tend to be somewhat directly related to flow, again presumably because of the association with sediment (i.e. , maximum total manganese concentrations were found when suspended solids concentrations were also at a maximum) . Most constituent concentrations in the surface waters of the area are well within the limitations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1975) for the indicated uses. In many instances, trace metal concentrations were found to be consistently below the level of detection of routine • laboratory techniques (particularly cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel , and silver). Approximately 61 percent of the ammonia concentrations measured at the routine monitoring stations naturally exceeded the suggested limit of 0.02 mg/l , necessary for the maintenance of freshwater aquatic life. Over 80 percent of the background total phosphate concentrations exceeded the proposed EPA limitation of 0.10 mg/l for flowing waters not directly discharging into lakes or impoundments. Surface Water Monitoring Information-pertaining to surface water monitoring data and analysis is presented in Section II.C. , pages 64 to 66a of Volume 1 of the application. Surface water quantity and quality is currently being monitored at the same stations utilized to gather required baseline information prior to permit issuance. The primary objective of the surface water monitoring program is to detect any significant changes in the quantity and quality of water as a result of underground mining and by the presence of the various surface operations and facilities including the coal processing waste disposal area. The following areas are currently being monitored at the Deserado Mine: Monitored Drainage/Water Body Station Number Type oration • 1 . White River Alluvium Above SW-12-1 Grab Sample Red Wash 2. White River Kenney Reservoir SW-11 -2 Grab Sample , Below Scullion Gulch