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STATE OF CO~C,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />DeDariment of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman SL, Room ? 15 <br />Denver. Colorado 80'03 <br />Phone: (3031866-3567 <br />FAX: (3071832'8106 <br />January 26, 1999 <br />Mr. Jay James <br />Montgomery Watson Mining Group <br />P.O. Box 774013 <br />Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 <br />RE: Permit No. C-SO.006, i\larr iV4ine <br />1998 Annual Hydrology Report <br />Dear Mr. James: <br />of vl l~oN or <br />MINERALS <br />&- <br />CEOLUGY <br />0.ECLANNTION <br />MIN IN G'S~F ETY <br />Bill Owens <br />Governor <br />Greg E. Walther <br />E.ecuuve Director <br />michael B. Long <br />Ovector <br />The Division has reviewed Man's 1993 Annual Hydrology Report . Based on our review, we <br />have a question and a few obsen•ations. First, there appears to be a significant error in Figure I. <br />in the temporal plot of mine area aquifer water levels, [he symbols are mislabeled according to <br />the Division's existing understanding of the groundwater monitoring wells. According to the <br />permit, wells 79-1 and 79-2 are wells in overburden above the Sudduth seam. Wzll 79-61 is a <br />well completed within the Sudduth coal seam outside [Ile mined area. [f that understanding is <br />correct, the symbols on Figure I are incorrectly labeled as 79-1 anti 79-2 monitoring coal and 79- <br />61 monitoring overburden ~ The remainder of this letter assumes that this is a mistake and [hat the . <br />Division's understanding of the wells is consistent with that in the permit Please verify one way <br />or [he other. <br />Several observations From the repott are worth noting and DIv1G will continue to follow the <br />trends in the future. One, the water level in well number 79-2, has been dropping slightly but <br />consistently from 1992 through 1993. We would expect that trend to reverse as the spoils aquifer <br />in the 720 pi[ fills. The other aquifers at the mine site have remained relatively stable during the <br />time period of 1992 through 1998. <br />The quality of the water in the coal seam (79-61) has been steadily deteriorating since 1992, as <br />concentrations of Ca, Iv1g, SO,, CI, and Na have all increased consistently. This possibly is a <br />result of mining, as the coal seam is infiltrated with spoils water. It is surprising that the quality <br />of alluvial water down-gradient of the 720 pit (as monitored by well AO 2A), has remained <br />consistent. <br />Please let us know about the well designations. If you have any questions, please call me. <br />Sin ely, <br />~_- <br />K ~t <br />Sandra L. Brown <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />cc: Jem Nettleton <br />\ George Patterson <br />