1983-09-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/1/1983
• Doc Name: Mining and Reclamation Plan Approval Package
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Fork Dutch Creek, North Fork Dutch Creek, Oilwell Creek, Coal Creek, and
Porcupine Creek. Each of these streams is ephemeral on the lease tract
and becomes perennial down gradient toward the plant site. Other streams
in Coal Basin outside of the Coal Basin mine affected area are Spring
Creek and Broderick Creek.
Surface runoff from disturbed areas will be routed through sediment
ponds. Nineteen sediment ponds have been constructed at the Coal Basin
mines. Two sediment ponds at the rock tunnel are to be constructed as the
disposal pile progresses in size, four ponds are planned for Mine No. 4,
two ponds are planned to be constructed on the two-year coal processing
waste disposal area and one pond will be constructed on the five-year
waste disposal area.
The applicant has reconstructed one portion of the Dutch Creek Channel and
plans to reconstruct another portion. At the rock tunnel, the applicant
will relocate approximately 575 feet of channel to maintain a 100-foot
buffer zone between Dutch Creek and the rock tunnel waste rock disposal
area. This diversion is planned to be permanent. It is evident that the
reconstructed channel is capable of passing the 100-year, 24-hour peak
flow. However, the reconstructed channel must be at least equal in
capacity to the unmodified channel immediately upstream and downstream of
the reconstructed channel. The applicant has stated that when tunnel
reconstruction resumes and before the waste pile approaches the Dutch
Creek relocation area, designs indicating a capacity at least equal in
capacity to the unmodified channel immediately upstream and downstream
from the reconstructed channel will be submitted.
The portion of the Dutch Creek channel which has been reconstructed, is
approximately 600 feet in length directly above the confluence of Dutch
Creek and Coal Creek. The reconstructed channel is trapezodial in shape
and concrete lined. It is necessary to leave the concrete lined
reconstructed channel because this portion flows over old coal waste which
is highly erosive.
No problems concerning water rights were noted during the course of the
review. Mid-Continent has the only industrial water right (7.48 cfs)
within Coal Basin. All other water rights have been filed for irrigation
or stock watering purposes.
Mid-Continent should not significantly affect the quality and quantity of
water within and adjacent to the permit area. Therefore, the Coal Basin
mines should not adversely affect downstream water users.
In addition to the three sampling sites on the streams in Coal Basin, the
applicant samples discharge from each of the mines plus discharge from the
sediment ponds. There are 19 discharge points which are sampled in
compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) effluent requirements.
The applicant is currently monitoring surface water flows at Point 20 on
Coal Creek. In order to differentiate the overall effects of Mines 1, 2,
3, and 4 from those of Mine 5 and the preparation plant area, and
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