ATTACHMENT J-6
J-6.
Provide a statement describing the Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC) of the
proposed mining operation, with respect to the hydrologic balance, on the permit area,
adjacent areas, and over the proposed mineral extraction. The statement must provide
the following information:
Identify as attachment J-6.
WATER QUANTITY:

Whether the proposed operation may result in water supply diminution or
interruption for any ground or surface water source currently
being used for domestic, agricultural, industrial, or any other legitimate purpose;

Potential impact the proposed operation will have on flooding or streamflow
alteration, including channel scouring and dewatering of streams;

Whether the proposed operation will disturb aquifers that significantly insure
water use;

Potential effects of the proposed operation on ground and surface water
availability.
WATER QUALITY:




Whether the proposed operation may result in water supply contamination for any
underground or surface water source currently being used for domestic,
agricultural, industrial, or any other legitimate purpose;
Whether acid or toxic forming materials are present which could result in the
contamination of surface or ground water;
Potential impact the proposed operation will have on sediment yield;
Potential impacts resulting from increases in total hot acidity, total suspended
solids, dissolved solids, and other important water quality parameters.
GRAVITY DISCHARGE/OUTCROP SEEPAGE:

Potential for gravity discharge from the underground workings during and after
mining, the potential impacts resulting from the complete failure of the outcrop
barrier, and the formation of outcrop seepage faces. (Provide calculations)
INTRODUCTION
The determination of the probable hydrologic consequences of mining requires a complex and
involved interdisciplinary approach and is dependent on various criteria. The primary factors
affecting this determination are the sources of surface water and groundwater, quality and quantity
of such, rock type, overburden geochemistry, permeability of backfill and underclays, material
handling, and mining techniques.
ATTACHMENT J-6
J-6.
(Continued)
By summarizing and evaluating these criteria, it is possible to predict whether surface water and
groundwater quality and quantity will likely be improved or degraded. Overburden lithology and
reclamation methods will have direct bearing on the erodability, infiltration rate and runoff rate of
the site, which in turn affects water quality and quantity. The presence of absence of groundwater
infiltrating through the reclaimed site may also have an effect on groundwater quality at the site.
When assessing the potential impacts of the proposed mining area, the effects of previous mines in the
area must be considered. In addition to recent regulated surface operations, deep mining and refuse
disposal operations in the Scotts Run watershed were conducted prior to the implementation of the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Any adverse effects resulting from these
operations must be taken into account when evaluating the potential impacts of operations initiated
under more rigorous environmental laws.
The following existing hydrologic conditions were evaluated to determine potential impacts:
1.
Existing water quality in the stream draining the site.
2.
Drainage quality from adjacent surface and deep mined areas.
3.
Seasonal variations in water quality.
4.
Variations in water quality under different flow conditions.
WATER QUANTITY
Surface Water Impacts
The proposed operation is above local drainage, and will not result in the interruption or diminution
of flow available in the surface water system. There are no known significant uses of surface water in
the vicinity of the proposed operation, other than the potential for limited livestock watering.
No significant alteration of stream flow characteristics, flooding, channel scouring or water
availability are anticipated.
Groundwater Impacts
The groundwater use inventory has been performed by Surveyor & Associates of Kingwood, West
Virginia. All land parcels with structures within one-half mile of the proposed operation were
inventoried for occupied structures and groundwater use - over 380 properties were visited. The
inventoried properties are numbered on the Proposal and Drainage Map. The results of the inventory
to date are summarized in Attachment J-2. The majority of the occupied residences are served by
municipal water lines maintained by the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) and the Pleasant Valley
PSD, which purchases water from MUB. Water is obtained from Cobun Creek and the Monongahela
River at an intake located at the confluence of these streams. The intake is located well upstream
from the confluence of Scotts Run and the Monongahela River, and will not be affected by the
proposed operation in any way.
Ten inventoried residences (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #32, #33, #183, #243, and #359) that report using
groundwater as the primary water source were noted during the inventory. #32 and #33 share a
common well. Fourteen additional residences (#9, #35, #37, #45, #67, #154, #157, #169, #170, #173,
#340, #343, #386, #387, and #388) using municipal water as the primary water source reported
maintaining a well, spring, or pond as an alternate water supply.
ATTACHMENT J-6
J-6.
(Continued)
The presence of groundwater was not noted on the driller’s logs for any of the overburden tests.
Based on general stratigraphic information for the Monongalia County area, expected potential
aquifers in the area to be mined include the Waynesburg coal and the overlying Waynesburg
sandstone. These units appear to have been locally developed at W-2 and W-3 located to the south of
the proposed mining area. General groundwater movement in above-drainage strata is down
gradient to outcrop discharge areas. Groundwater flow in deeper strata is most likely controlled by
stratigraphic dip
Aquifers at greater depth below drainage level may be at least partially dewatered by deep mining
activities in the Pittsburgh and Sewickley coal seams beneath the proposed mining area. According
to structural contour maps available at the West Virginia Geological Survey, the elevation of the
Pittsburgh and Sewickley coals are approximately 400 feet and 300 feet, respectively, below the
Waynesburg coal.
No aquifers that significantly insure water use will be disturbed. The vast majority of local residents
are supplied by municipal water lines. The stress-relief fracture aquifer system will not be disturbed
by the mining operation. No known groundwater sources will be unaffected by the proposed
operation.
Domestic wells W-1, W-2, W-3, and W-5 are within the proposed mining area as a result of the
purchase of the former residential properties associated with these wells.
All four wells appear to be completed in strata below the Waynesburg coal. Prior to mining these
wells will be sealed with grout up to the level of the Waynesburg coal to prevent the migration of
waters associated with the mining operation through the open borehole into underlying aquifers. The
abandonment and sealing of the wells should be performed by a West Virginia licensed well driller.
No impacts to any individual water supplies are anticipated. In the unlikely event that groundwater
impacts to an individual water source attributed to the job do occur and result in unacceptable water
quality and/or quantity, the water source will be replaced in accordance with WVDEP rules and
policies.
WATER QUALITY
Data collected to assemble the PHC indicate that impacts to the immediate receiving streams (Scotts
Run and tributaries) from previous mining have been minimal. The stream exhibited pH values in
excess of 7.50 with low metal concentrations and moderate levels of sulfate and alkalinity.
One observed exception is monitoring point BWQ-C at the mouth of an unnamed tributary of Scotts
Run, which has exhibited periodic elevated concentrations of iron, manganese, and selenium that
appear to originate from seepage out of pre-regulation coal refuse materials, as noted in I-9(G). One
such pre-existing seep (NH-2) has been actively monitored for the original New Hill permit. WVDEP
DMR acknowledged that the seep was a pre-existing condition when the original New Hill surface
mine permit (No. S-2010-01) was granted, and requested that the seep be monitored as an Article 3
groundwater point. The seep lies north of Route 7 in the area between existing Pond No. 1 of the New
Hill permit and proposed Pond No. 1 of the New Hill West application, and enters the unnamed
tributary of Scotts Run above BWQ-C. Drainage from seep NH-2 is consistently acidic, with elevated
levels of iron, manganese, aluminum, and sulfate. The seep will be bonded under the New Hill West
application but not disturbed. Abatement of the seep will ultimately be performed by WVDEP
Special Reclamation.
ATTACHMENT J-6
J-6.
(Continued)
Although NH-2 visibly impacts the unnamed tributary of Scotts Run, drainage from BWQ-C does not
significantly impact Scotts Run due to relatively low flow volume. Such materials are not present at
the proposed permit area and no elevated metal concentrations are anticipated in site drainage.
Areas immediately adjacent to the proposed mining area have been developed by surface mining in
the Waynesburg seam. No known acidic or metal laden discharges are present at adjacent surface
mines in the Waynesburg coal, which have consistently been in compliance with permit discharge
standards without chemical treatment.
Geochemical data were obtained using core samples taken at three drill holes from the land surface
down through the Waynesburg coal pavement within the proposed mining area. The borings (NH1008, NH11-08, and NH13-08) were drilled by Patriot Mining Company to characterize the Waynesburg
and Waynesburg A overburden. The Waynesburg coal, partings, and underlying pavement, and
Waynesburg A coal (encountered only in NH10-08 and NH11-08) and immediately overlying and
underlying strata were all potentially toxic. The lower 6 – 7 feet of the Waynesburg sandstone
immediately overlying the coal in NH11-08 and NH13-08 exhibited CaCO3 deficiencies of 1–22
tons/1000 tons. The only potentially toxic stratum that was not closely associated with a coal seam was
a 2-foot interval of the Waynesburg sandstone at 106.16 feet in NH10-08, with a CaCO3 deficiency of
17.49–31.64 tons/1000 tons. Strata not closely associated with the coal seams exhibited significant
excess CaCO3 equivalent, with many strata containing free carbonates as evidenced by the fizz test. A
more detailed description of the geochemical nature of the overburden strata is presented in
Attachment I-11.
In addition to acid-base accounting, overburden samples at NH-13-08 were tested for selenium as per
WVDEP policy and guidance. Samples were analyzed for total selenium by the 3050B (for Acid
Digestion of Solids) method. Analytical results are indicated in the attached laboratory data. All of
the strata tested exhibited selenium levels that were <1mg/kg. Therefore, no special handling
procedures for materials with elevated selenium levels will be required.
Calculations with the PADEP overburden spreadsheet methods indicate the site overburden,
combined with proposed MEA ash alkaline amendments, will produce excess available NP both with
and without thresholds at equivalence factor of 31.25 and 62.5. Projected ash applications will range
from 1,000 to 10,000 tons/acre. Calculations included the minimal additional alkalinity that will be
contributed by the minimum proposed amendment of 1,000 tons/acre of MEA ash. Available NP
ranged from 3574 to 20,141 tons/acre when the standard equivalence factor of 31.25 was used with
thresholds; available NP values of 5887 to 21,917 tons/acre were obtained when calculating available
NP using this factor without thresholds. The available NP at these core holes is sufficient to achieve a
net NP of 12 tons/1000 tons that is likely to assure alkaline drainage.
Calculations of available NP using the 62.5 equivalence factor at the three core holes ranged from
2523 to 17,605 tons/acre with thresholds and 3613 to 17,853 tons/acre without thresholds.
The lowest excess NP values were observed at NH-13-08; excess NP values at NH-10-08 and NH-11-08
were on the order of 2-5 times higher than those at NH-13-08.
ATTACHMENT J-6
J-6.
(Continued)
The calculations generated by the spreadsheet are presented with the overburden analysis data in
Attachment I-11. The spreadsheet indicates the net alkalinity of the post-mining backfill using an ash
application rate of 1,000 tons/acre should be sufficient to produce and maintain an alkaline
environment in the backfill that will inhibit the oxidation of any remaining sulfur not removed with
the PTS, and neutralize any localized acidity produced within the backfill.
Although the spreadsheet analysis does not indicate the probability of any NP deficiencies, the lower
excess NP values at NH-13-08 using the 1000 ton/acre minimum ash application rate suggest the need
of a higher application rate as an additional factor of safety. Under these circumstances, an
application rate in excess of 1000 tons/acre is recommended.
Natural alkalinity in the site overburden combined with alkaline ash amendments will result in
discharges and/or runoff from the site that should be overwhelmingly alkaline with low metals
concentrations.
In that preliminary land use is a mixture of mostly forestland and pasture, current sediment yield will
probably increase to some degree during active mining, but will decrease upon establishment of
vegetative cover.
Given the site overburden quality and proposed alkaline additions, all drainage issuing from the site
is expected to comply with NPDES discharge standards without any chemical treatment. Water
quality should be alkaline, with relatively low concentrations of iron and manganese.
NPDES discharge standards limit the suspended solids concentrations that can be discharged from
sediment control structures. Compliance with the drainage and sediment control plans and NPDES
standards will ensure that suspended solids from the operation will not impact the receiving stream.
Suspended solids in site discharges may increase temporarily during extremely high flow periods,
when suspended solids are also elevated in the receiving stream. Suspended solids will be low in the
receiving streams and site discharge at low and moderate flow conditions. The proposed operation
will have no adverse effects of suspended solids in groundwater at or near the site.
Drainage from earth disturbances associated with mining in the immediate area has been
characterized by higher concentrations of sulfate and dissolved solids than are present in drainage
from undisturbed areas. This has also been the case where alkaline drainage is present. Drainage
from the proposed operation is expected to have moderate levels of dissolved solids resulting
primarily from the presence of sulfate and alkalinity.
GRAVITY DISCHARGE/OUTCROP SEEPAGE
The proposed operation will involve mining the coal outcrop, with no crop barriers remaining. There
will be no augering of the final highwall proposed prior to backfilling. No springs or seeps were
observed above the Waynesburg coal elevation at the study area. After mining is completed, a layer of
alkaline shale from site overburdens and fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) fly ash will be compacted
against the highwall, which will minimize outcrop seepage to the reclaimed backfill.