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Monitorina Frequencv <br />Excursions from the required monitoring frequency in 2007 were noted as follows: <br />• November sampling event at all sites was done in January 2008 <br />• May water level measurement in NEW-3 was missed in 2007 <br />• Third quarter piezometer measurements was done in September <br />• SW sample PRS-2 (ACZ labs) - No such site exists <br />Analysis of Data and Determination of Impacts <br />Surface Water Quantity and Quality <br />Two stations on the Purgatoire River are monitored for flow and field parameters on a <br />semi-annual basis, and water quality on an annual basis. PRS-1 is located upstream of <br />all New Elk mining activities and PRS-4 is located downstream of all mining activities, <br />yet upstream of the confluence of the North Fork of the Purgatoire with the Middle Fork. <br />The measured value of TDS at the downstream site, PRS-4 is identical to the upstream <br />site, PRS-1 (190 mg/1). The classifications that apply to this segment are Aquatic: Life <br />Cold 1, Recreation 1, Water Supply, and Agriculture. No exceedance of any physical, <br />biological, inorganic, or metal standard was noted in either the upstream or the <br />downstream water sample data reported. No identifiable impact to surface water quality <br />or quantity is evident in the data collected and reported. <br />Ground Water Quantity and Quality <br />The 2005/2006 Annual Hydrology Report review showed a general slowing of the rate <br />of water level rise in NEW-2 and NEW-4 as water in the flooded workings began to spill <br />to the east once an elevation of about 7115 feet amsl was reached. <br />However, based on discussion with the operator, an apparent bust in surface elevations <br />was discovered dating back possibly since the mine was opened by CF&I. This error <br />under-reported elevations by 101.9 feet when compared to current surveyed elevations <br />of the surface at the New Elk Mine. Contour lines drawn on Map 22, Mine Progress <br />representing the elevation of the workings (coal seam) also reflect this error. <br />6. Please include in the 2008 Annual Hydrology Report a detailed discussion of this <br />error on a site by site basis for NEW-2, NEW-3, and NEW-4. Include accurate <br />surface elevations, total shaft or well depth, and water level elevations as they <br />existed prior to pumping in late 2008. Please also include a generalized map of <br />surface elevation, coal seam elevation, well site, and water level contours over <br />the period of flooding and prior to dewatering. <br />Marked differences in total dissolved solids continue to be apparent in the data <br />collected from the flooded workings from site NEW-2 and NEW-4.