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Seneca Coal Company <br />Phase 11 Bond Release Request <br />May2008 <br />populations, particularly during gestation and lactation periods. This is evidenced by the large <br />deer and elk populations on reclaimed areas throughout the year. Likewise, the vegetation <br />composition and characteristics of the reclaimed areas have proven especially attractive to the <br />Columbian sharp tail grouse population. The reclaimed areas have been used by local ranchers <br />for livestock operations for a number of years. Successfizl implementation of this postmining <br />land use is documented in the Seneca II Annual Reclamation Reports. <br />The approved post-mining land uses of livestock grazing and wildlife have been implemented at <br />the Seneca II mine for a number of years. This supports the conclusion that the reclaimed area <br />landscape and vegetation characteristics of the reclaimed lands most adequately support the <br />approved post-mine land uses and compliment regional wildlife habitat and grazing utility. <br />• Water Quality -Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Monitoring Results <br />The Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permit has a TSS limit of 35 mg/1 (monthly <br />average) and a 70 mg/1 daily limit that can not be exceeded. Water quality statistics have been <br />run for the three (3) permanent ponds that discharge off-site. The statistics were compiled <br />for the previous five (5) year period and show the following results: <br />Pond 002 - 10.96 mg/1(average) - 22 mg/1(maximum) <br />Pond 004 -11.83 mg/1 (average) - 26 mg/1 (maximum) <br />Pond 008 - 9.68 mg/1(average) -18 mg/1 (maximum) <br />In addition the background levels for the receiving streams upstream of the confluences are <br />significantly higher than the discharges from the Phase II request area. <br />The monitoring results show that the TSS standard/requirements do not exceed the criteria <br />limits set by the State of Colorado. Supporting data sheets and graphs are contained in <br />Attachment F, Water Quality Monitoring Results. <br />• Permanent Impoundment Documentation <br />The existing sedimentation ponds at Seneca II were accepted as permanent impoundments <br />with the approval of Technical Revision 37 (TR-37) in September 2006. The documentation <br />15 <br />