HYDRO23650

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 2/18/1997
• Doc Name: RESPONSES TO 12 09 1996 ADEQUACY REVIEW OF 1993 & 1994 AHR RESPONSES WEST ELK MINE PN C-80-007
• From: MOUNTAIN COAL CO
• To: DMG
• Permit Index Doc Type: CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Mountain Coal Company
West EIk Mine
Post Office Box 591
Sorne~set, Cokxado 81434
Telephone [phone]
Fex 9709295595
February 6, 1997
Mr. Michael P. Boulay
Environmental Protection Specialist
Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology
1313 Sherman, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
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RE: Responses to December 9, 1996, Adequacy Review of 1993 and 1994 Annual
Hydrology Reports Responses; West Elk Mine; Permit C-80-007
Dear Mr. Boulay:
Mountain Coal Company provides the following comments and has revised appropriate AHR
pages in response to the December 9, 1996 Adequacy Review of the 1993 and 1994 Annual
Hydrology Reports Responses. The comments are numbered below to correspond with the same
numbered pazagraphs in the original review letter dated August 23, 1996.
1993 AHR
8. Corrections have been made to Table E-2 to show a revised pH of 6.8 for spring G-12 on
9/7/93, and to clarify the entries for spring G-20 on 9/23/93.
17. Mine inflows of measurable volume have continued to be sampled during the 1996 Water
Year. The request for mine inflow data in future AHRs will be addressed in the responses
to the Division's request for a revision to improve the hydrologic monitoring program
(letter also dated December 9, 1996).
18. The Division's original question requested that page 8 be revised to be consistent in regard
to the discussion of mine inflows. This page was revised as requested. In the December
9, 1996 letter, the Division states that the primary concern is an accurate accounting of the
quantity of mine inflows encountered. Mine inflows encountered are noted on the B-seam
advance map, which is provided as Exhibit 3 in the AHR. Please note that previous to
March 1996, inflows were typically difficult to measure as a majority of the inflows were
small or dispersed, in the form of seeps or roof drips. Mine inflows previous to 1996 had
a maximum flow of approximately 50 gpm, and within a few days diminished to less than
]0 gpm or dried completely. MCC believes that accurate measurements of inflows have
been completed in compliance with the current permit commitments. Please be reminded
that the character of some inflows in the West EIk Mine have just recently changed and