2009-07-01_REPORT - C1980007 (6)

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West Elk Mine 2008 Annual Hydrology Report 7 3.0 HYDROLOGIC MONITORING PLAN MCC's hydrologic monitoring program is designed to collect adequate monitoring data for assessing mining-related impacts to hydrologic resources. The Colorado Division of Keclamation, Mining, and Safety (CDRMS) approved a revised hydrologic monitoring plan for the West Elk Mine permit area in June 2006 (CDRMS, 2006). The revised monitoring plan was implemented in the latter months of WY 2006 and in WY 2007 and WY 2008. A brief summary of the monitoring plan is presented in the following sections. The hydrologic monitoring plan for the permit area includes monitoring surface water resources, springs and seeps, ground water resources, the coal refuse pile underdrains, and pertinent mine water sites. Routine monitoring (subsequent to baseline monitoring) includes collecting field water quality data (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature) and collecting a sample for independent laboratory analysis annually. Flow or water level measurements are collected three times per year corresponding with: the rising limb period, between April 3`d and May 13d; the peak flow period, between April 21s' and June 26d'; and the low flow period, between July I01h and October 81h, as shown on Table 1. The chemical analyte suite for the first five years of sampling, including one year of baseline sampling, is presented in Table 2. After sites have been monitored for 5 years (including approximately one year of baseline monitoring), the analytical suite parameter list is reduced to collecting field parameters (pH, conductivity, temperature, and flow or water level) and submitting samples for laboratory analysis for total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, pH, and iron (Fe [dissolved & total]). The North Fork of the Gunnison River and Middle Sylvester Gulch monitoring sites have expanded analytical suites, in order to provide data for the on-going characterization of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The North Fork of the Gunnison River and Middle Sylvester Gulch lab parameters include those listed in Table 2 plus chromium, nickel, silver (total), cyanide (total), nitrite(as N), nitrate (as N), alkalinity (Total CaCOA carbonate, hydroxide, and ortho-phosphate. The current (as revised in 2006 per CDRMS) hydrologic monitoring plan incorporates a separate baseline monitoring schedule for all new monitoring sites for approximately one year prior to the time when mine development operations expand into new potentially affected areas. The baseline monitoring schedule includes collecting monthly field water quality data, flow or water level measurements, and collecting samples for laboratory analysis (Table 2) for the year prior to initiation of mining and potential impacts. Site-specific baseline schedules are dependent on site accessibility and mine development timing. In general, baseline monitoring is conducted monthly, usually from April through September in order to provide adequate data to show seasonal June 2009 HydroGeo, Inc.