2009-07-20_REPORT - C1981012

• Permit No: C1981012
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 7/20/2009
• Doc Name: 2008 AHR Review Letter
• From: DRMS
• To: New Elk Coal Company
• Annual Report Year: 2008
• Permit Index Doc Type: Hydrology Report
• Email Name: KAG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
July 20, 2009
John McCulloch
New Elk Coal Company, LLC
122 West First Street
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RE: 2008 Annual Hydrology Report Review, New Elk Mine, #C-81-012
Dear Mr. McCulloch:
COLORADO
D I V I S I ON OF
RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cattany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
The Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety has completed review of the 2008
Annual Hydrology Report (AHR) for the New Elk Mine, #C-81-012. The Division
acknowledges the corrections made in the 2008 report as requested in the Division's
letter of February 10, 2009 resulting from review of the 2007 AHR.
Monitoring Frequencv
No excursions from the required monitoring frequency in 2008 were noted. However,
the Short List on page 6 of the AHR does not list calcium and magnesium in the sample
parameter list. Lab sheets indicate that sampling was completed in accordance with
the approved monitoring plan as shown on Table 28 of the approved permit. For
future AHR reports, please correct Table 1.2-2 of the AHR to match Table 28 of the
permit exactly.
Analysis of Data and Determination of Impacts
Surface Water Quantity and Qualitv
Two stations on the Purgatoire River are monitored for flow and field parameters on a
semi-annual basis, and water quality on an annual basis. PRS-1 is located upstream of
all New Elk mining activities and PRS-4 is located downstream of all mining activities,
yet upstream of the confluence of the North Fork of the Purgatoire with the Middle Fork.
The November 2008 measured value of TDS at the downstream site, PRS-4 (160 mg/1)
is slightly higher than the upstream site, PRS-1 (150 mg/1). The classifications that
apply to this segment are Aquatic Life Cold 1, Recreation 1, Water Supply, and
Agriculture. No exceedance of any physical, biological, inorganic, or metal standard
was noted in either the upstream or the downstream water sample data reported. No
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