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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />4.05 Hydrologic Balance <br />4.05.1 General Requirements <br />The surface mining activities at Colowyo have been planned and will be conducted to minimize changes <br />in the prevailing hydrologic balance, in both the permit and adjacent areas, and to prevent long term <br />adverse changes in the balance that might result from the activities <br />As a preliminary step in minimizing adverse changes, hydrologic baseline information has been and is <br />being collected, compiled and analyzed. The baseline monitoring programs are outlined in Section 2.04.7. <br />This data provides detailed information on quality and quantity of surface water, drainage patterns, and <br />geology. The description of the current hydrologic monitoring program is included in the following pages <br />and results of the current monitoring program are included in the Annual Reports for 1983 to present. In <br />addition, Section 2.05.6 details the specific mining and reclamation techniques which Colowyo will <br />implement to minimize changes to the hydrologic balance. <br />The post-mining land use as described in detail under Section 2.05.5, will be rangeland. Changes in the <br />hydrologic balance will be minimized so that the post-mining land use will not be adversely affected. <br />Water quality standards and effluent limitations at the existing mining operation are regulated by the U. S. <br />Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Health. under the terms of an NPDES <br />Permit, (See Exhibit 7, Hydrological Information), and by the Coal Regulations of the Colorado Mined <br />Land Reclamation Board. The applicable effluent limitations will be met by using treatment methods <br />which will include prompt revegetation, minimizing disturbed areas, sediment retention, use of contour <br />furrows, terraces, sediment ponds and, if necessary, strategically placed energy dissipaters, such as riprap, <br />check dams, mulches, filters and dugouts. Water quality control measures are discussed in detail under <br />Section 2.05.4 and 2.05.6. <br />Where practicable, diversion methods will be used to change the flow of water from undisturbed areas so <br />as to bypass the disturbed areas rather than using treatment facilities. The principal technique to be used <br />for this purpose will be diversion ditches. These diversion ditches are located on the Hydrology - South <br />Map (Map 12) and the Hydrology - North Map (Map 11), and discussed in detail under Section 2.05.6. <br />Their design is specified in Exhibit 7, Hydrological Information. <br />No acid-forming materials are present in the area to be mined which would require selective placement <br />and sealing of overburden. The chemical characteristics of the overburden is presented under Section <br />2.04.6. The overburden sampling program is presented under Section 2.05. Results of the current <br />overburden sampling program are presented in the Annual Reclamation and Hydrology Reports beginning <br />in 1983 to the present. <br />As discussed in Section 2.05.4, Colowyo will use various surface manipulation techniques on the topsoil <br />after its redistribution as one method to prevent excessive wind or water erosion. <br />No special treatment of coal processing waste is necessary since none will be produced. See Section 4.10 <br />and 4.11. <br />With a few exceptions, Colowyo plans to have all surface runoff from the disturbed area pass through <br />sedimentation ponds. Sedimentation ponds are discussed in detail under Section 4.05.6, and their location <br />is shown graphically on the Hydrology - South Map (Map 12) and the Hydrology - North Map (Map 11). <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.05-1 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91