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�oOF COZO'P`. <br /> 9 <br /> �Q p' DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br /> David H.Getches,Executive Director <br /> MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION <br /> 1876 DAVID C.SHELTON, Director <br /> Richard D.Lamm <br /> Governor <br /> Cessation Order C-84-084 <br /> Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. <br /> I. FINDING OF VIOLATION <br /> On May 22, 1984, Jim Herron, of the Mined Land Reclamation Division, <br /> observed that snowmelt water was flowing down the Mine No. 2 mantrip <br /> conveyor and pad area and off the bench into a clean water diversion <br /> ditch on the south side of the Mine No. 2 bin pad. In addition, water <br /> from the Mine No. 2 bin pad was observed to be draining into the same <br /> clean water diversion ditch. <br /> The water in this clean water diversion ditch passed beneath the main <br /> haul road alongside the bin pad, through a culvert, and was discharged <br /> downslope without benefit of any sediment control . A violation for <br /> failure to follow the mine plan and failure to minimize disturbance to <br /> the hydrologic balance was issued. Oral testimony, slides, and <br /> photographs presented during the conference support a finding of <br /> violation. I recommend that the violation contained within the <br /> Cessation Order C-84-084 be upheld. <br /> A discussion ensued as to whether a Cessation Order was warranted for <br /> this violation. The operator contended that no significant or imminent <br /> environmental harm resulted from the untreated discharge. The nearest <br /> perennial receiving stream is Dutch Creek which is nearly one mile away <br /> from this discharge. Nevertheless, a significant amount (between 20 <br /> and 80 gallons per minute) of untreated water was leaving an affected <br /> mine facilities area. Sediment-laden water was causing visible erosion <br /> and deposits of coal waste were contaminating topsoil because this <br /> water was flowing overland. Ultimately, this drainage did enter Dutch <br /> Creek wihtout ever having been treated by a sediment control system. <br /> Because a significant quantity of poor quality water was being <br /> improperly discharged, I believe a Cessation Order was warranted. <br /> 423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />