2009-03-03_REPORT - C1982056 (2)

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Two mine water discharge sites associated with the TCC operations are monitored. Site 109 requires quarterly t monitoring for flows, field parameters, and water quality samples (when flowing), and site 115 is monitor. -d as a CDPS discharge point in accordance with the requirements set forth under CDPS Permit No. CO-0042161. There has been no flow from site 109 to Foidel Creek for several years, and none in 2008. Site 115 had not discharged to Fish Creek since early 2005, but was reactivated in 2008, discharging from May through the first two weeks of September. Currently, mine water is pumped from underground to the surface (from the former Western Mining District), and is treated via an electro-coagulation process at the surface, where water enters the 3 former treatment ponds for site 115. The majority of this treated water is pumped directly back into the mine for underground dust suppression. Additional overflow piping was added, so the treatments ponds cannot overflow. Overflow water is directed back into the mine via a former pump well. Historically, when pumping mine water from the Fish Creek Borehole (mine discharge site 115) the flow becomes a contributor to sulfate levels in Fish Creek. Fish Creek in turn contributes to the sulfate levels in Trout Creek. Trout Creek currently had a secondary drinking water standard limiting sulfate concentrations above 250 mg/1. Section 3.7, under the Emergency Discharge Permit section, discusses the sulfate issues dealt with in. 2008. The 2008 Water Year data for mine water discharge site 115 is presented on Table 53. Table 53a provides historical water quality data. Figures 110 and 111 present graphical data for this site. 3.7 CDPS Discharge Sites Under State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permit No.'s CO-0027154, CO-0036684, and CO-0042161, eleven discharge points are monitored throughout the year. Note that CDPS has also been referred to as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) in previous AHRs. Monitoring results (CDPHE Colorado Discharge Monitoring Reports, or DMRs) are copied to DRMS in accordance with CDPS requirements. Tables 54 through 60 provide 2008 and historical data summaries for those CDPS outfall points. Figures 112 through 115 provide graphical representations of the 2008 flow rate and field conductivity data for Pond D at the Foidel Creek Mine and for Pond E at the Fish Creek Tipple. Figure 116 depicts period of record total recoverable iron data for Pond E. Note that ponds A (former Outfall 001A), and H (former Outfall 009A) were deactivated following Phase III Bond release of the Eckman Park area, and were subsequently removed from the newly amended CDPS permit on January 1, 2002. Construction Dewatering Permit CO-GO72272 In July 2006, Twentymile Coal contacted CDPHE regarding the addition of this site and later submitted a Construction Dewatering - Wastewater Discharge Application, which was subsequently approved (Outfall 001A under CO-G072272). CDPHE requested preliminary analyses of this water for alkalinity, COD, pH and TDS. A sample was collected and analyzed for these parameters. A discharge channel was constructed in late July 2000, and weekly monitoring of discharge from outfall 001A began in August 2006. Note that water was pumped from the sedimentation pond through 001A on an as needed/ sporadic basis. Pump flows were estimated. CDPHE Discharge Monitoring Reports are copied to DBMS. 13