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(Crowfoot et al, 1996). The annual runoff in the Purgatoire is dominated by snowmelt, with <br />• peak flows occurring in May and June. Summer and fall thunderstorms generally produce <br />smaller peaks of short duration. <br />1.2 MONITORING PROGRAM <br />Monitoring programs have been conducted since February 1984 to assess the effects of past, <br />present, and future mining operations on surface and groundwater quality and quantity. These <br />programs provide information for the operators of the facilities as well as to regulatory <br />agencies such as the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) and the <br />Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). DRMS programs are <br />designed to monitor past and present, and to anticipate future, effects of mining activities on <br />the hydrologic regime of the area. One aspect of the CDPHE program addresses water quality <br />as required by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. <br />These stations are shown on Map 8, Regional Hydrology in the Permit Document and <br />quarterly NPDES reports have been submitted to both CDPHE and DRMS as they were <br />prepared. <br />The DRMS monitoring program at the New Elk mine consists of surface water sites, ponds, <br />and alluvial wells, as presented in Table 1.2-1 Hydrology Monitoring Requirements and Table <br />1.2-2, Water Quality Parameter Sample Suites. In addition, special monitoring programs were <br />continued during the year. These include piezometers in the Refuse Disposal Area which <br />• monitor slope stability, and water levels monitored in the sealed New Elk mine underground <br />workings. This program was modified during 1999 to monitor only those stations of interest <br />and in 2004 to reduce the frequency of sampling events due to limited scope of operations at <br />the coal processing facility. Monitoring of springs and seeps in the area of the New Elk mine <br />was also conducted until liability release for underground workings was approved by DRMS. <br />The following are descriptions of the current sampling stations, their locations, and their <br />purpose. <br />Surface Water (Streams and Rivers) v <br />PRS-1: A grab sample and flow station located on the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire <br />River above the surface facilities of the New Elk mine. This station was selected to assess <br />stream quality and flow above significant mining activities. Data collected during this year at <br />this Station are presented in Appendix A Water Quality Data 2007. <br />PRS-4: A grab sample and flow station located on the Purgatoire River below the New <br />Elk mine surface facilities. This station was established in 1992 to assess potential effects of <br />mining on stream quality. Data collected at this station during this year is presented in <br />Appendix A Water Quality Data 2007. <br />• <br />4