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(a) Each applicant shall contain a detailed description with appropriate maps which are
<br />prepared to the standards of 2.10, and cross - section drawings of the measures to be taken during and after the
<br />• proposed surface or underground mining activities, in accordance with Rule 4 to ensure the protection of:
<br />(i) The quality of surface and ground water, within both the proposed permit area and
<br />adjacent areas, from adverse effects of the proposed surface or underground mining activities;
<br />PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY
<br />TCC will utilize numerous methods reflecting the best practical technology currently available in order to minimize
<br />changes to water quality and the prevailing hydrologic balance in both the Permit and adjacent areas. These water
<br />quality control measures will be implemented in order to minimize any long -term adverse changes in the
<br />hydrologic balance, which could result from mining.
<br />Discussions relative to the quality and quantity of surface and ground water of the Fish Creek Tipple operation are
<br />found in Volume VII of the Fish Creek Tipple/Loadout Appendix, pages 2.05 -77 through 2.05 -90.
<br />Surface Water Quality Protection
<br />The primary methods for erosion, drainage, and sediment control are based on minimizing the impacts of present
<br />and future surface disturbance, by minimizing disturbance, controlling runoff and trapping sediment as close to the
<br />disturbed areas as possible, and promoting prompt revegetation,. Where feasible, runoff from undisturbed areas
<br />will be diverted around disturbed areas.
<br />Diversion and collection structures as shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities, serve to divert water from undisturbed
<br />areas around disturbance areas, and to intercept runoff from disturbed areas and route it to sediment control
<br />• facilities. Not only does this control approach reduce flows contacting disturbed areas and thus reduce water
<br />velocities and sediment yields, it also reduces the size and number of sedimentation ponds required. Temporary
<br />diversion structures are designed, and will be constructed and maintained, to handle runoff flows from the 10 -year,
<br />24 -hour precipitation event, with the exception of Ditch D -3 and the permanent refuse pile collection ditches, which
<br />are designed, constructed and maintained to handle runoff flows from a 100 -year, 24 -hour event. All diversion and
<br />collection ditch designs are based on appropriate roughness characteristics, gradients, and lining characteristics (ie:
<br />vegetated or rock lined), to assure that they can adequately convey the design flows and, to the extent possible,
<br />prevent additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflows and to runoff outside the Permit Area.
<br />Mine inflows are controlled and handled using a network of underground sumps, along with pumps, pipelines, and
<br />underground storage reservoirs. Any excess mine water that is not utilized in the underground operations, is
<br />discharged through the Portal/0-Entry Borehole/Pond D (Sites 109 (inactive) /005), the Fish Creek Boreholes (Site
<br />115), and the TORT Boreholes (Site 001 under the General Coal Permit). Water discharged from the Portal and 0 -Entry
<br />Borehole (general mine discharge) is routed through the Area 1 Pit Mine Water Storage Reservoir, with discharge to
<br />Sedimentation Pond D prior to discharging to Foidel Creek at Site 005. Mine discharge water from the Fish Creek
<br />Boreholes (SWMD) may be treated, using the electro- coagulation system (refer to Section 2.05.3(4)) prior to transfer to
<br />the mine water system or discharge to Fish Creek at Site 115, or may be pumped back to the Area 1 Pit for use in the
<br />Washplant or discharge through Pond D and Site 005. A treatment system for the TORT (EMD) Dewatering Boreholes
<br />has not been constructed to date, although TCC may install a temporary mobile treatment system. The water can be
<br />pumped from this site directly to the mine water system, to the 6MN Mine Water Storage Reservoir and 6MN Million -
<br />Gallon Tank (connected to the mine water system), back to the Area 1 Pit for use in the Washplant or discharge through
<br />Pond D and Site 005, or directly discharged to Foidel Creek at Site 001, under the Coal General Permit.
<br />The locations of sedimentation ponds are shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities. Generally, ponds and spillways are
<br />• sized and located on the basis of required sediment storage volume, and rate and volume of flow for the appropriate
<br />storm event. All ponds have been designed to treat flows to meet effluent standards, as documented in Exhibit 8,
<br />Sediment Control Plan and Exhibit 30, NPDES Permits (CO- 0027154, CO- 0036684, and CO- 0042161).
<br />RN08 -05 2.05 -128 03/12/10
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