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6/10/2013 14:1014:10 <br />Jones, Dennis D. <br />From: Jones, Dennis D. <br />Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 13:14 <br />To: 'Morgan - CDPHE, Kelly' <br />Cc: Cochran, John N.; Dunfee, Brian P. <br />Subject: seneca outfall 013 may ph 5 day notice <br />5/24/13 <br />Kelly, <br />I reviewed on 5/23/13 field notes from our 5/2/13 sample at Outfall 013 for Seneca Coal Company's (SCC) Yoast Mine, <br />CO- 0000221. The field data indicates an excursion of the CDPS permit ph limit, 6.5 -9.0, with a value of 9.53. <br />As we were performing an extensive snowmelt runoff monitoring program on the day of this excursion, we have data <br />upstream and downstream of the outfall. Outfall 013 was discharging 13.1 gallons per minute (gpm) at the time of the <br />excursion. However, the surface water flow into the outfall's sediment pond was only 0.18 gpm, with a pH value of only <br />8.60. The pH of the receiving stream, Sage Creek, at our Site YSS2 (measured on the same day) was only 7.53, indicating <br />that the receiving stream was in compliance with the pH standard. This site is located approximately 3500 feet <br />downstream of Outfall 012. Site YSS2 was flowing 1145 gpm at the time of sampling that same day. <br />We suspect that algae may be the cause. We noticed a similar occurrence at this outfall in July 2012. The phenomenon <br />of algae causing high pH values is well documented. One such document may be found on the first two pages of the <br />website: https : / /srac.tamu.edu /index.cfm/ event /getFactSheet /whichfactsheet /205/ <br />SCC considers this to be an upset condition, in that 1) we can identify the specific cause of the upset (algae), 2) the <br />facility was being properly operated and maintained, and 3) we submitted proper notice of this upset (ie, the email sent <br />to you on 5/23). <br />I called you and sent you an email on 5/23. We consider this to be our required 24 hour notice. The permit requires that <br />we also submit within 5 days a written report. If this email does NOT fulfill that requirement, please let me know, and I <br />will follow up with a mail letter. <br />Thank you, <br />Dennis Jones <br />Hydrologist - Seneca Coal Co. <br />970- 276 -5209 <br />diones peabodyenergy.com <br />Peabodq , <br />37796 County Rd. 53 <br />PO Box 670 <br />Hayden, CO 81639 -0670 <br />