Laserfiche WebLink
Southfield C1981014, Well MW -NW Page 2 of 2 November 28, 2012 <br />The blockage occurred during EFCI ground water monitoring efforts in March 2012. Though <br />EFCI has extracted the tangle of steel cable, the wooden block remains stuck in the well. <br />Investigation with the downhole camera was unsuccessful in observing beyond the wooden <br />block. It was inconclusive if the well was damaged below the wooden block. On September 17, <br />2012, the well was dry at 353 feet below ground surface. <br />Further investigation into the function of MW -NW found that the bottom of MW -NW was at <br />5855 feet mean sea level (msl). The bottom of MW -NW coincides with the floor of the coal <br />seam. EFCI estimated the top of the coal seam in this location to have been 5860.5 feet msl <br />(5855 feet msl plus 5.5 feet thick coal seam). The well permit application submitted to Colorado <br />Division of Water Resource (CDWR) in 1991 stated the well depth to be 383 ft. below the <br />ground surface. Addition of these two values puts the ground surface at 6238 feet msl. <br />Confirmation with Permit Map 12 (dated 1/23/2003) places the surface elevation of MW -NW <br />between 6230 feet and 6235 feet msl. <br />The blockage of the well encountered at 353 feet below ground surface places the obstruction at <br />5885 feet msl. Monitoring of MW -NW provides data regarding the elevation of water as the <br />mine workings fill, and water quality in the mine workings. The Division does not dispute that <br />EFCI demonstrated that water can flow past the obstruction (April 17, 2012 inspection). <br />However, in the current obstructed condition, EFCI is unable to accurately measure the elevation <br />of water in the mine until the mine floods to 24.5 feet above the roof of the coal <br />Energy Fuels must remove the obstruction from groundwater monitoring well MW -NW in <br />accordance with Rules 4.05.13(1)(c), 4.05.13(1)(e)(i), 4.05.13(3)(a) and (b)4.05.13(1)(i). The <br />Division is therefore directing Energy Fuels to remove the obstruction(s) from MW -NW, or drill <br />a new water well to served as a replacement for MW -NW, prior to the end of 2012, or face <br />potential enforcement action. Please notify the Division when Energy Fuels clears the <br />monitoring well of the obstruction(s). <br />During the Division's investigation into the construction of MW -NW (North Dewatering Well), <br />the Division found no record of a monitoring well permit on file with CDWR for MW -NW. <br />Please assure the Division that EFCI has a well permit for MW -NW (Rule 2.03.10). <br />Sincerely, <br />d1104-- <br />Janet H. Binns <br />Environmental Protection Specialist III <br />