2013-01-23_REPORT - C1994082

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 1/23/2013
• Doc Name: 2011 Annual Hydrology Report
• From: Susan Burgmaier
• To: Jared Ebert
• Annual Report Year: 2011
• Permit Index Doc Type: Hydrology Report
• Email Name: SLB
• Email Name: SB1
• Email Name: JLE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

January 23, 2013
To: Jared Ebert
From: Susan Burgmaier
Re: Yoast Mine (Permit No. C- 1994 -082)
2011 Annual Hydrology Report
Adequacy Review
have completed my review of Seneca Coal Company's 2011 Annual Hydrology Report
for the Yoast Mine. In general, the report was concise and thoroughly addressed the
information requirements of Rule 4.05.13(4)(c) and the approved permit application
package. Based on my review, I have the following comments:
1. Water monitoring frequency requirements were met at all surface and
groundwater monitoring sites.
2. Field parameters were collected and laboratory analyses were conducted as
required at all groundwater and surface water sites.
3. Groundwater Levels: Groundwater levels in overburden, coal, and underburden
wells were within historic ranges. Groundwater levels were particularly high in
the alluvial wells for the 2011 water year due to exceptionally high snowpack and
heavy spring precipitation.
4. Groundwater Quality: TDS is increasing in the 30 series Wadge overburden and
coal wells, but decreasing in the underburden. A decrease in TDS was observed
in the Wolf Creek 33 series coal and underburden wells.
TDS is in excess of values predicted in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences
(PHC) section of the permit application package for well YW30. Overall, reported
water quality meets agricultural water standards, with the few excursions noted
by SCC for pH and manganese.
5. Alluvium: SCC noted and the Division concurs that TDS levels show increasing
trends in the Annand Draw and Grassy Creek alluvium. In the Sage Creek
alluvium, TDS is increasing below Pond 012, but decreasing at the point furthest
downstream and below Ponds 013 and 014.
TDS is in excess of values predicted in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences
(PHC) section of the permit application package for wells YAAL14, YGAL16,
YSAL1, and YSAL3.