2011-08-09_REVISION - C1981019 (10)

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• • • analysis performed at monitoring points at the CM have not shown any significant difference in water quality compared with the initial USGS work. The water is slightly saline, alkaline and definitely classified as `hard' water. This can be seen in the water quality measurements for total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (eC). Both TDS and eC exceed the EPA secondary drinking water standards. Since the water is alkaline, the pH is above seven (7), but rarely exceeding 8.4. Concentrations of heavy metals rarely exceed health limits, as stated in the USGS report. This has also been backed up by the ground water monitoring performed since the CM began operation. Conclusions With respect to bedrock ground water, the current Colowyo mine area and possible future mining areas on the Colowyo property has no single or multiple continuous geologic units that contains ground water under unconfined or confined conditions. The only ground water encountered is the discontinuous perched pockets of ground water, some of which may be in saturated conditions. This lack of ground water, except for discontinuous perched ground water pockets, encountered during mining precludes the necessity to monitor ground water on a ridge top. For the shallow ground water located in the valleys, point of compliance monitoring is not possible due to the geologic conditions (and other factors) discussed above. 4.05.14 — 4.05.18 Various Topics 4.06 TOPSOIL RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS These sections are addressed in the original permit and will not change with addition of the Collom permit revision. The topsoil removal, storage, and redistribution plan for the proposed disturbed area associated with the Collom Lite and Little Collom X mining areas will follow the procedures described Section 2.05.3 (5) and 2.05.4 (2) (d) of this Permit Revision document. Additional information regarding the topsoil resource may be found in the Collom Soils baseline survey located in Exhibit 9. General Requirements Before the disturbance of any area, topsoil is removed and segregated from other material. Upon removal, this material is either immediately redistributed on regraded areas or stockpiled in locations shown on the Topsoil Handling Map 28C. Removal All topsoil, as classified in section 2.04.9, is removed from areas to be affected by the surface coal mining operations. The graphical representation of the topsoil removal is shown on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28C). This map has been greatly simplified from that of the original application to reflect actual on- the - ground operations. The techniques for removal of woody plant materials that otherwise would interfere with the usefulness of the topsoil is discussed in Section 2.05.3 The average thicknesses for each soils series to be removed can be found on Table 2.04.9 -16 as defined in Table 2.04.9 -19. Removal techniques for topsoil is described in Section 2.05.3. Collom — Rule 4, Page 21 Revision Date: 8/5/11 Revision No.: PR -03