1992-07-22_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017

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-34- Additional points where soluble salts are added to the surface water system are the mine discharge points and seepage along Coal Creek from the refuse pile. The refuse pile seepage is the only additive source of metals at the mine site. The total iron concentration of Coal Creek is increased by 0. 17 mg/l which should have an insignificant effect on water quality. Seepage from the existing (old) refuse pile also increases the soluble salt concentration by an average of 24 mg/1 which is also insignificant. Analyses of mine discharge in Volume 5 shows that the discharge from all the mines is lower, on the average, in total iron levels and sediment levels than the receiving stream. Heavy metals are not a problem, as evidenced by the stream analyses and roof and coal analyses. Discharge water from Mine No. 4 enters the South Fork of Dutch Creek which is monitored at Station #6. This discharge would increase the TDS levels by 231 mg/l to a level of 598 mg/1 . Therefore, the discharge would increase the soluble salts to a level of a moderate salinity hazard, lwhereas the water in the stream would have a low salinity hazard prior to discharge. Mine no. 4 is currently inactive, but as indicated in the application, will become active upon completion of the rock tunnel. Discharge water from Mines No. 1 and 2 enters the North Fork of Dutch Creek, and is monitored at sampling station P. The discharge water would increase soluble salt concentrations in the North Fork of Dutch Creek by an average of 327 mg/1 to a level of 764 mg/l which changes the salinity hazard for irrigation use from low to moderate. Discharge from Mine No. 3 enters the Oil Well Creek drainage which is monitored by station #8. The mine discharge increases the soluble salt content in Oil Well Creek by an average of 489 mg/1 to 836 mg/l , which is a change from a low salinity hazard to a moderate salinity hazard. Mine No. 5 discharges into Coal Creek, which is monitored by sampling station #9. The mine discharge increases the soluble salt content in Coal Creek by 11 mg/l, which does not change the low salinity hazard designation. Although the discharge from Mines No. 1 , 2, 3, and 4 degrade the water at the discharge point from a low salinity hazard to a moderate salinity hazard for irrigated agricultures, the discharge water is further diluted downstream. By the time any of the water reaches the Crystal River, it is at a low salinity hazard. 1 USDI . 1968. Water Quality Criteria. Report of the National Technical Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior. Fed. Water Pollution Control Admin. 234 pp.