2012-07-10_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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All surface runoff from disturbed areas is primarily routed through sediment ponds to prevent additional contributions of sediment to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area due to mining disturbances. Alternative sediment controls are utilized at a number of approved small area exemption sites. During operations a total of 12 sediment ponds were designed and built. There is no Sediment Pond #3. Former Ponds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 12 have been reclaimed Following approval of PR -5 SCC will reclaim Ponds 6, 10, 11, and 13. SCC has indicated that they may retain Pond 9 at the South Portal Area as a permanent post -mine feature. This would have to be approved through an appropriate revision application in compliance with Rule 4.05.9(13). Water Consumption Water usage during operations was from consumption in the mines, in the coal preparation plant, and in the surface facilities. Consumptive use is monitored and results included in the Annual Hydrology Report (AIR). Consumptive use will be minimal in the future because mining and washing of coal has ceased. Water use will be limited to dust control activities during reclamation. In association with PR -3, based on projected mining related water depletions to the Colorado River, Snowcap Coal Company entered into a Recovery Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to comply with obligations associated with recovery of the endangered fish species of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Mine Water Discharge A permanent, gravity flow minewater discharge site (Outfall 016) has been established in the vicinity of the reclaimed North Decline facility area. The installation involved angled drilling into the lowest elevation of the South Mine workings. Outfall 002, a siphon type discharge located at the backfilled Northwest Intake Portal adjacent to I -70 has been inactivated. Outfall 002 was previously the primary minewater discharge for the South Mine workings, but in the future will be used only as an emergency back -up to Outfall 016. Outfall 001, a back -up /supplemental discharge via 4" pipe that extends through the concrete seal in the South Mine conveyor portal entry, was used during active operations. The minewater discharge from the South Mine never required treatment to meet CDPS discharge standards, and was discharged directly into the Colorado River. The 001 discharge valve was closed upon activation of Outfall 016. The Outfall 001 pipe was then permanently plugged with pumped concrete in conjunction with the South Portal facilities area reclamation project. The plugged Outfall 001 pipe that extended out of the sealed South Portal began to leak at some point following the sealing of the pipe with 6 cubic yards of grout. SCC submitted Technical Revision No. 56 in March 2008 to provide a plan to completely reseal the pipe. TR -56 was approved by the Division and the pipe has been sealed in accordance with the approved plan. SCC capped off the end of the pipe and encased it in approximately two additional cubic yards of concrete. The site was then backfilled. The repair was successful and the pipe is no longer leaking and the location is dry and stable. Discharge from the North Mine workings ceased in 1999 when mining ceased and the pumps were shut down. The mine was subsequently sealed and backfilled, and future discharge is not anticipated, based on projected final ground water elevation. There is infrequent discharge from sedimentation ponds. All discharge from sediment ponds and the underground workings is sampled and reported in accordance with CDPS and DMG permit requirements. General Reclamation Summary The approved reclamation plan requires that reclamation of most areas is to begin upon cessation of mining Some locations including the lower benches of the Cameo Refuse Disposal Sites and the North Decline were Permit Revision No. 5 11 July 10, 2012