REP37430 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I ~ III IIIIII'lllllllll sss DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Devil H. Getches, Executive Director MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION DAVID C. SHELTON, Director Richard D. Lamm Governor T0: FROM: DATE: RE: Sandy Emrich Anne Baldrige ~ g March 20, 1984 Seneca II Mine 1983 Hydrology Report I have reviewed the above-mentioned annual hydrology report. Seneca has done a good fob reporting and evaluating water monltoring data for the past year. Their computer-generated data will help standardize the format of their future reports and should make review of their reports easier. In general present monltoring, both quality and quantity, has seen very little change from past monitoring. Several areas are somewhat anomalous and should be watched in future reports to see 1f trends are developing. Spoils wells show an increase 1n pH and total dissolved solids which at the present time do not appear to be affecting other monitoring points, and there are some abnormally high values for lead and cadmium which are believed to be a result of laboratory equipment malfunction. All surface water monitoring data fell below EPA standards with the exception of total suspended solids of 90 mg/1 on September 13, 1983, at the Wadge Impoundment (NPDES 002). This was believed to be the result of fish spawning and stirring up bottom sediment. Seneca has requested two changes 1n their monitoring program: 1) Discontinue monitoring surface water site SW-52-4. The undisturbed drainage that this point monitors is now being routed around the 003 pond and off the site through the Northwest Diversion Ditch. 2) Stop monitoring trace metals -aluminum, arsenic, boron, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, phosphorus selenium, silicon, and zinc in all wells except the wells monitoring the pollution plume, the spoils wells and the surface water monitoring sites downstream of NPDES 003 and NPDES 004. The Division should agree with the first request since this drainage is now being routed away from any disturbance. In the second request, Seneca has asked to change their monitoring program. Historically, Seneca has had few water quality problems. Sihce baseline data has been established, now 1s the time to shift the emphasis from baseline monitoring to monitoring for pollution downgradient of mining. For this reason I suggest we answer this request by proposing to them some significant changes in their monitoring program as I have outlined below: 423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (30:1) 866-3567