2013-02-27_REPORT - C1981028 (7)

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Keenesburg Coal Strip Mine operations, or 2) the subsequent reclamation activities (which include both the ash and the mine waste rock disposal operations). While questions may have arisen with respect to specific analytes in certain wells (manganese in the SMW -2 well, for example), overall parameters are within the scope of what should be considered acceptable. Any results that are at issue likely reflect recharge of the groundwater through the disturbed soils /spoils from previous operations, as opposed to one of the aforementioned activities. While they have been altered within the Keenesburg Mine site itself, general ground water flow patterns in the vicinity of the mine appear not to have been significantly changed (or interrupted) by the past mining activities, or by the ongoing ash disposal and mine reclamation. The six ground water monitoring wells were sampled by CEC on a quarterly basis in 2012. These wells are designated: AMW -1, AMW -2, DH -96, DH -122, FPW and SMW -2. Water quality analysis incorporates both the fieldwork and the analytical laboratory testing of water samples collected from these wells. Field Measurement Protocol: Static water level is a tape measurement from the top of the well casing (a known ground elevation) to the current water level in the well. This measurement is taken following a visual inspection of the area surrounding the well casing, and precedes any sampling activity. Water sample temperature, specific conductance and pH are determined using a probe placed in each sample as soon as it is collected. Samples are collected and analyzed both before and after the appropriate well purge procedures are conducted. All data collected during field testing is recorded in a field logbook that is kept at the Keenesburg Mine office. A graphic display of the information for each well (for the most recent five year period) can be found in the following section of this Report titled, "Analysis of Water Sampling Field Data ". Laboratory analysis: The wells are sampled in a sequence that follows the order of least to greatest level of salinity. At the end of 2012 this sequence continued to be: (1) FPW, (2) AMW - 1, (3) DH -96, (4) DH -122, (5) SMW -2 and (6) AMW -2. Ash Monitor Well No. 2 (AMW -2) still continues to recharge following the conclusion of the A -Pit reclamation activity. This process has been ongoing since the end of 1999 when A -Pit reclamation was completed, but only since 2004 has it resulted in volumes sufficient to allow sampling. Adequate water volumes were found in this well during each of the quarterly samplings for 2012, making it possible to obtain AHR -2012 -43-