2012-12-24_REPORT - C2009087 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The CDPHE NOV was issued for Failure to Comply with Permit Effluent Limitations, Failure to Use Required Analytical Method, and Failure to Report Representative Monitoring Data. The effluent limitation was the above mentioned parameter on Potentially Dissolved Selenium. Based on the CDPS permit CO- 0048275 issued to Peabody Sage Creek Mining, LLC, the effluent parameter is a 30 -day average of 4.6ug /l for potentially dissolved selenium. This parameter was exceeded at two outfalls, outfall 002A and outfall 004A. Outfall 004A discharges both surface run -off and spoil spring water from an area which has no active disturbance and is currently in reclamation. Outfall 002A discharges both surface run -off and spoil water from both the active /newly constructed mining area and areas in reclamation. Based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety and the Water Quality Control Division (WQCD), the WQCD will be responsible for enforcing CDPS permit conditions. 8. Basic Standards for CWQCC regulations The manganese standard was exceeded 6 times at 6 Surface Water 31.1.11 sites including springs. Based on CWQCC reg. 31, the standard of 0.2 mg /1, applies to plants grown in acidic soils ( <6.0 pH). In alkaline soils, as found on the PSCM site, the EPA standard would be 10 mg /1. The maximum manganese value observed at any surface site was 0.461 mg /I at NPDES 003. Spoil spring 6 exceeded the cadmium, nickel and manganese agricultural standards. The discharge of this spring flows into NPDES Pond 002, which did not exceed any of these parameters. Spoil Spring 4 exceeded the selenium standard. 9. Instream Numeric CWQCC regulation 33.0 Two PSCM monitoring sites exist within the Fish Creek Standards Drainage: The 004 outfall and SSC10 are on Cow Camp Creek and discharge into Fish Creek which is on Segment 13b of the Yampa River basin. The stream standards for Fish Creek are based on aquatic life standards. Two samples from Pond 004 outfall exceeded the chronic selenium standard of 4.6 ug /1, in May and June (14 and 8 ug /1). The acute standard of 18.4 ug /I was not exceeded. Two PSCM monitoring sites exist within the Little Grassy Creek drainage: The 002 outfall and SSLG5. SSLG5 drains the upper portion of Little Grassy Creek which are undisturbed by mining. Both sites discharge into Grassy