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Middle Creek Alluvial Groundwater: TC has no active Middle creek alluvial wells. Two Middle Creek <br />alluvial wells (AVM -1 and AVM -2) were incorporated into the monitoring network during 1996, however, per <br />TR03 -42, these wells were abandoned in the Fall of 2003. Refer to previous AHRs for earlier data. <br />3.21 Points of Compliance <br />Rule 4.05.13(1)(b) requires formal establishment of ground water points of compliance for coal operation which <br />has the potential for negatively impacting the quality of ground water for which quality standards have been <br />established by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. The Commission's Rule 41 sets forth Basic <br />Standards for ground Water. These Standards are applicable to ground water at the Foidel Creek Mine. In the <br />judgment of DRMS, these Standards are applicable to ground water at the Foidel Creek Mine, however it is also <br />the judgment of DRMS, the Foidel Creek Mine does not have the potential to negatively impact bedrock aquifers <br />due to the nature of the geology (i.e. synclinal basin) found at the mine's location. <br />Wells 008 -AV -2 (Foidel Creek alluvium), 008 -AU -3 (Fish Creek alluvium), and well 008 -AT -1 (Trout Creek <br />alluvium) will satisfy the requirements for alluvial ground water points of compliance. <br />3.3 Surface Water Monitoring <br />Monitoring /Sampling Requirements: Table 32 presents a summary of surface water monitoring frequencies, <br />which was last updated for Permit Revision 6 (PR 03 -06 Exhibits 14 -7 through 14 -10) in March of 2004. Site <br />locations are shown on Figure 2 (a.k.a. Map 13A), Hydrologic Monitoring Plan of TR03 -42 (as well as in Figure <br />2 of this AHR). Table A of Exhibit 14 specifies three seasonal monitoring episodes (i.e. October to February, <br />March to May, and June to September), each of which are further divided into two general categories of sampling <br />frequency: 1) "Regular" monitoring that is done continuously, and 2) "Contingent" monitoring that is conducted <br />only when there is a discharge from underground mine pumping at surface discharge sites 109 and/or 115. Note <br />that discharge from site 109 has not occurred in several years, and is not anticipated to occur in the future. <br />2011 surface water data is provided in Tables 33 through 49. Water quality parameters for these sites were <br />typically within previously established ranges, unless otherwise discussed below. An historical summary of data <br />has been provided in Tables 35a through 5la. <br />Stream Gaging <br />Accurately monitoring flow at stream sites can be difficult due to continual damage of gage stations by cows, <br />horses, and weather effects. Stations require repair on a regular basis. 2011 was no different. Record snow melt <br />and creek flooding washed out many gage stations and prevented vehicle access during the spring high water <br />flows. In addition, erosion of stream channel banks impact flow calculations. In the summer of 2007, TC hired <br />consultants (Rivers Unlimited, Inc. of Steamboat Springs, and Norwest Applied Hydrology of Denver) to assist <br />with re- evaluating key stream bed locations, including rating curves for ongoing stream gauging. This on -going <br />study continued into the spring summer and fall of 2011. Gage calculations for 2011 are attached as an appendix <br />10 <br />