Smcra Noi Final

8/14/2019 Smcra Noi Final

1/23

NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND INTENTION TO SUE

PURSUANT TO 30 U.S.C. 1270(a)(1)

To: Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior

United States Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20240

Joseph Pizarchik, Director

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation

and Enforcement

1951 Constitution Ave. N. W.

Washington, D. C. 20240

Allen D. Klein, Regional Director

Western Regional Office

Office of Surface Mining Reclamationand Enforcement

P.O. Box 46667

1999 Broadway, Suite 3320

Denver, CO 80201-6667

Bill Brancard, Director

Mining and Minerals Division

Energy, Minerals and Natural ResourcesDepartment

1220 South St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, NM 87501

San Juan Coal Company

P. O. Box 561

Waterflow, NM 87421

In accordance with 30 U.S.C. 1270(b) and 30 C.F.R. 700.13, Sierra Club notifies each

of you that, on or after the 60th day from the date of this notice, it intends to initiate a citizen suit

against San Juan Coal Company (SJCC) pursuant to Section 520 of the Surface Mining Control

and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), 30 U.S.C. 1270. Sierra Club intends to base the suit

on SJCCs continuing violation of SMCRA and of rules and regulations issued pursuant to SMCRA

that comprise the approved state regulatory program for New Mexico (the New Mexico program),

30 C.F.R. Part 931.

I. THE PROVISIONS OF SMCRA AND THE NEW MEXICO PROGRAM THAT SJCC

HAS VIOLATED AND CONTINUES TO VIOLATE.

SMCRA requires each permittee to minimize disturbances to (1) the prevailing hydrologic

balance at the mine-site and in associated offsite areas and (2) the quality and quantity of water in

surface and ground water systems both during and after surface coal mining operations and during


2/23

-2-

reclamation. 30 U.S.C. 1265(b)(10). SMCRA requires that each permittee achieve these goals by

(i) avoiding acid or other toxic mine drainage, (ii) preventing or removing water from contact with

toxic producing deposits, and (iii) treating drainage to reduce toxic content which adversely affects

downstream water upon being released to water courses. Id.

The New Mexico program implements SMCRAs hydrologic protection requirements

through rules and regulations that require each New Mexico permittee to:

(1) plan and conduct surface coal mining operations to prevent material damage to the

hydrologic balance outside of the permit area, NMAC 19.8.20.2009(A) (emphasis

supplied);

(2) avoid violation of any federal or state water quality statute, regulation, standard, or

effluent limitation, NMAC 19.8.20.2009(C);

(3) minimize water pollution and use treatment facilities where necessary to control

water pollution, NMAC 19.8.20.2009(D);

(4) prevent waters draining off of the regraded area of each mine from (a) exceeding

baseline values of pollutants listed in NMAC 19.8.20.2009(E)(2)(a) or (E)(3)(a),

(b) creating an increase in sediment load into the receiving streams; ( c ) creating any

environmental harm or threat to public health and safety; or (d) degrading, polluting,

or otherwise diminishing the characteristics of existing streams and drainages so as

to cause imminent environmental harm to fish and wildlife habitats, NMAC

19.8.20.2009(E)(2);

(5) ensure that discharges of water from areas disturbed by surface mining activities and

underground mining activities comply with all applicable state and federal


3/23

-3-

water-quality laws and regulations and with the effluent limitations for coal mining

promulgated by the U.S. environmental protection agency set forth in 40 CFR Part

434, NMAC 19.8.20.2010(A)(8);

(6) install, operate, and maintain adequate facilities to treat any water discharged from

the disturbed area so that it complies with all federal and state laws and regulations

and the limitations of NMAC 19.8.20, NMAC 19.8.20.2010(C);

(7) design, construct, and maintain all stream diversions to prevent material damage

outside the permit area and to assure the safety of the public, NMAC

19.8.20.2011(A), 19.8.20.2012(A)(1);

(8) place backfilled materials so as to (a) minimize contamination of ground water

systems with toxic or otherwise harmful mine drainage, (b) minimize adverse effects

of mining on ground water systems outside the permit area, and (c) support approved

postmining land uses, NMAC 19.8.20.2018(A); and

(9) utilize pits, cuts, and other mine excavation or disturbances in such manner as to

prevent or control discharge of toxic or otherwise harmful mine drainage waters into

ground water systems and to prevent adverse impacts on such ground water systems

or on approved postmining land uses, NMAC 19.8.20.2018(B) (emphasis

supplied).

SJCC has violated each of the provisions cited above.


4/23

-4-

II. THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS WHICH CONSTITUTE THE ALLEGED

VIOLATIONS BY SAN JUAN COAL COMPANY.

A. SJCC Has Placed Coal Combustion Waste in Mined Areas in a Manner That

Has Polluted Ground water and Caused Material Damage to the Hydrologic

Balance Outside SJCCs Permit Area.

SJCC has used unlined mining pits, cuts, or other excavations to store coal combustion waste

(CCW), including precipitator ash, bottom ash, waste water sludge, flue gas desulfurization sludge,

and other power plant wastes, in a manner that has failed to minimize contamination of ground water

systems with toxic or otherwise harmful mine drainage, failed to prevent adverse effects of mining

on ground water systems outside the permit area, and failed to support approved postmining land

uses. For example, but not by way of limitation, SJCC used CCW to fill or backfill disturbed areas

in and adjacent to the historic channel of Shumway Arroyo upgradient of Well L in SJCCs ground

water monitoring scheme. See 2009 SJCC Permit Renewal Application, Exhibit 907. B(4)-1 (Map

of Surface & Ground water Monitoring Locations showing, inter alia, the locations of Well GL

and of CCB Pits on SJCCs permit area). Similarly, SJCC or its predecessor used CCW to fill or

backfill disturbed areas adjacent to the location of current ground water monitoring Well D. Well

D is located upgradient of both the Shumway Diversion channel and the lower portion of Westwater

Arroyo, which extends from its confluence with Shumway Diversion to its confluence with the

historic channel of Shumway Arroyo. Id. (showing the locations of Well GD and adjacent CCB

Pits).

At a minimum, SJCCs failures with respect to the ground water protection requirements of

SMCRA and the New Mexico program are evident in data on the quality of ground water drawn

from Well D and Well L. SJCC has established and maintained Wells D and L to detect mining-


5/23

1 Sierra Club has completed its analysis of pollution to date of ground water at Wells D and

L with respect to selenium, boron, chloride, and sulfate. Sierra Club continues to analyze the

available data on concentrations of other pollutants at those locations, including but not limited to

uranium, radium, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, iron, magnesium, phenols, and

sodium. Sierra Club asserts the right to demonstrate in its intended civil action that SJCCs

violations of SMCRA and the New Mexico program also occur due to pollution of ground water at

Wells D or L by any other contaminant for which there exists an applicable New Mexico ground

water standard.

-5-

related hydrologic impacts outside the permit area, including impact from placement of CCW in

areas upgradient of either of those wells. See Permit Application, Section 907.B(4)(i) Ground

water Monitoring Plan at 907-12.

The tables and graphs on the following pages present and summarize available data

concerning concentrations of selenium and boron in Well D over the past 36 years and

concentrations of selenium, chloride, and sulfate in Well L over the past 30 years. The applicable

New Mexico ground water quality standards for these pollutants are: selenium 0.05 mg/l; boron

0.75 mg/l, chloride 250.0 mg/l, and sulfate 600.0 mg/l. See 20.6.2.3103 NMAC.1


6/23

Sample Date Selenium NMED/gwb Boron NMED/gwb

9/14/2009 0.105 0.05 2.00 0.75

3/19/09 8:35 AM 0.05 1.80 0.75

9/17/08 1:02 PM 0.178 0.05 1.80 0.75

3/11/08 8:02 AM 0.034 0.05 2.10 0.75

12/3/07 9:29 AM 0.05 0.759/27/07 12:00 PM 0.091 0.05 2.30 0.75

3/28/07 2:28 PM 0.082 0.05 2.50 0.75

9/29/06 2:28 PM 0.117 0.05 2.80 0.75

6/5/06 2:02 PM 0.05 0.75

3/16/06 9:42 AM 0.145 0.05 2.30 0.75

9/30/05 9:56 AM 0.104 0.05 1.70 0.75

3/8/05 9:51 AM 0.117 0.05 1.90 0.75

12/28/04 3:01 PM 0.133 0.05 2.00 0.75

3/19/04 2:15 PM 0.153 0.05 1.30 0.75

12/15/03 2:15 PM 0.066 0.05 1.30 0.75

7/10/03 10:24 AM 0.100 0.05 1.30 0.75

3/12/03 10:48 AM 0.090 0.05 1.40 0.75

12/16/02 12:00 AM 0.008 0.05 1.50 0.75

9/27/02 12:00 AM 0.094 0.05 0.60 0.75

6/18/02 2:00 AM 0.001 0.05 0.10 0.75

3/20/02 12:00 AM 0.160 0.05 1.10 0.75

12/12/01 12:00 AM 0.200 0.05 1.50 0.75

9/25/01 12:00 AM 0.200 0.05 1.60 0.75

6/26/01 12:00 AM 0.060 0.05 1.40 0.75

3/19/01 12:00 AM 0.130 0.05 1.00 0.75

12/18/00 12:00 AM 0.0100.05

1.50 0.759/26/00 12:00 AM 0.200 0.05 10.00 0.75

6/23/00 12:00 AM 0.005 0.05 1.70 0.75

6/21/00 12:00 AM 0.05 1.20 0.75

3/29/00 12:00 AM 1.00 0.05 1.10 0.75

12/15/99 12:00 AM 0.017 0.05 1.20 0.75

9/28/99 12:00 AM 0.108 0.05 1.44 0.75

3/30/99 12:00 AM 0.060 0.05 1.42 0.75

12/16/98 12:00 AM 0.070 0.05 1.56 0.75

7/8/98 12:00 AM 0.068 0.05 1.03 0.75

3/30/98 12:00 AM 0.005 0.05 1.20 0.75

12/18/97 12:00 AM 0.027 0.05 1.67 0.75

6/26/97 12:00 AM 0.050 0.05 0.01 0.75

6/25/97 12:00 AM 0.019 0.05 1.83 0.75

3/20/97 12:00 AM 0.010 0.05 1.13 0.75

12/31/96 12:00 AM 0.018 0.05 1.10 0.75

9/27/96 12:00 AM 0.052 0.05 1.08 0.75

6/13/96 12:00 AM 0.041 0.05 0.91 0.75

3/12/96 12:00 AM 0.067 0.05 1.27 0.75

12/11/95 12:00 AM 0.062 0.05 1.23 0.75

San Juan Coal Mine Well D Sampling Table

6


7/23



9/6/95 12:00 AM 0.005 0.05 1.03 0.75

6/20/95 1:00 AM 0.020 0.05 0.96 0.75

6/20/95 12:00 AM 0.05 0.75

3/9/95 12:00 AM 0.080 0.05 1.16 0.75

12/8/94 12:00 AM 0.032 0.05 1.90 0.759/12/94 12:00 AM 0.009 0.05 0.97 0.75

6/16/94 12:00 AM 0.038 0.05 0.97 0.75

3/15/94 12:00 AM 0.057 0.05 1.07 0.75

12/15/93 12:00 AM 0.083 0.05 1.34 0.75

9/9/93 12:00 AM 0.05 1.10 0.75

6/17/93 12:00 AM 0.010 0.05 1.16 0.75

3/17/93 12:00 AM 0.076 0.05 1.22 0.75

12/9/92 12:00 AM 0.004 0.05 0.97 0.75

9/15/92 12:00 AM 0.031 0.05 1.26 0.75

6/8/92 12:00 AM 0.048 0.05 1.08 0.75

3/26/92 12:00 AM 0.051 0.05 1.00 0.75

12/16/91 12:00 AM 0.056 0.05 1.22 0.75

9/4/91 12:00 AM 0.046 0.05 1.28 0.75

6/11/91 1:00 AM 0.060 0.05 0.86 0.75

6/11/91 12:00 AM 0.05 0.75

3/27/91 12:00 AM 0.052 0.05 1.18 0.75

12/20/90 12:00 AM 0.003 0.05 1.15 0.75

10/30/90 12:00 AM 0.05 1.06 0.75

6/7/90 12:00 AM 0.003 0.05 1.00 0.75

3/6/90 12:00 AM 0.001 0.05 0.86 0.75

12/5/89 12:00 AM 0.0050.05

0.79 0.759/6/89 12:00 AM 0.005 0.05 0.93 0.75

5/31/89 12:00 AM 0.005 0.05 0.73 0.75

3/13/89 12:00 AM 0.006 0.05 1.01 0.75

7/5/88 12:00 AM 0.009 0.05 0.95 0.75

12/12/87 12:00 AM 0.004 0.05 1.05 0.75

6/19/87 12:00 AM 0.052 0.05 1.20 0.75

1/14/87 12:00 AM 0.004 0.05 1.15 0.75

10/26/86 12:00 AM 0.001 0.05 1.12 0.75

12/2/81 11:44 AM 0.05 1.00 0.75

9/23/81 10:44 AM 0.05 0.70 0.75

6/24/81 9:44 AM 0.05 1.40 0.75

4/1/81 12:00 AM 0.05 1.00 0.75

12/3/80 2:02 PM 0.05 1.70 0.75

9/17/80 2:01 PM 0.05 0.50 0.75

6/15/80 2:57 PM 0.010 0.05 1.00 0.75

11/28/79 12:43 PM 0.05 1.00 0.75

10/3/79 12:43 PM 0.05 1.00 0.75

8/14/79 11:43 AM 0.05 0.02 0.75

4/5/79 11:39 AM 0.010 0.05 1.10 0.75

7


8/23



4/10/75 6:04 PM 0.010 0.05 1.20 0.75

3/10/75 7:04 PM 0.010 0.05 0.80 0.75

1/29/75 8:47 PM 0.010 0.05 0.35 0.75

12/23/74 7:47 PM 0.010 0.05 0.16 0.75

12/10/73 1:47 PM 0.150 0.05 1.50 0.759/6/73 1:47 PM 0.010 0.05 2.30 0.75

7/24/73 1:47 PM 0.010 0.05 0.25 0.75

Selenium value of 1.00 on 3/29/2000 was substituted with a plot value of .5 only to allow the viewer to see the lower concentrations.

The Selenium value of 1.00 is the correct concentration for that date.

The Boron value of 10. on 9/26/2000 was substituted with a plot value of .4 only to allow the viewer to see the lower concentrations.

The Boron value of 10. is the correct concentration for that date.

All data from ENMRD files except 9/14/2009 taken by Four Corners Geosciences

NMED/gwb New Mexico Environment Department Ground Water Bureau

Notes:

8


9/23

0.000.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

C

oncentrationinmg/L

Well D Boron

Boron

NMED/gwb

0.0000.0500.100

0.1500.2000.2500.300

0.3500.4000.450

0.500

Concentrationinmg/L

Well D Selenium

Selenium

NMED/gwb

9


10/23

Well L Contaminant Plotting Table

Sample Date Sulfate NMED/gwb Selenium NMED/gwb Chloride NMED/gwb

9/14/2009 53000 600 0.06 0.05 7400 250

3/19/2009 40000 600 0.13 0.05 6000 250

9/17/2008 42000 600 0.039 0.05 6300 250

7/17/2008 39100 600 0.018 0.05 6670 250

3/11/2008 600 0.05 250

3/11/2008 43000 600 0.016 0.05 5200 250

12/3/2007 600 0.05 250

9/27/2007 48000 600 0.05 0.05 6900 250

3/28/2007 39100 600 0.046 0.05 6000 250

3/28/2007 600 0.05 250

9/29/2006 600 0.05 250

9/28/2006 44000 600 0.068 0.05 5600 250

6/5/2006 600 0.05 250

3/15/2006 47000 600 0.15 0.05 6200 250

9/30/2005 44000 600 0.058 0.05 6350 250

9/30/2005 44000 600 0.058 0.05 6350 250

3/8/2005 43000 600 0.029 0.05 6450 250

12/28/2004 52000 600 0.042 0.05 6500 250

3/18/2004 51000 600 0.06 0.05 6400 2509/29/2003 42500 600 0.001 0.05 5100 250

7/11/2003 47000 600 0.001 0.05 5450 250

9/26/2002 42000 600 0.001 0.05 6260 250

6/18/2002 40000 600 0.002 0.05 6200 250

12/12/2001 39800 600 0.4 0.05 6500 250

9/25/2001 41000 600 0.1 0.05 6300 250

6/28/2001 39000 600 0.2 0.05 6300 250

3/19/2001 41000 600 0.5 0.05 6200 250

12/18/2000 39000 600 0.01 0.05 5850 250

9/26/2000 37000 600 0.2 0.05 5600 250

6/21/2000 42000 600 0.1 0.05 5950 250

3/29/2000 40000 600 1 0.05 5700 250

12/15/1999 41000 600 0.5 0.05 6000 250

9/28/1999 37300 600 0.005 0.05 5600 250

6/23/1999 36300 600 0.005 0.05 5690 250

3/29/1999 38800 600 0.005 0.05 5630 250

12/15/1998 42000 600 0.005 0.05 5600 250

9/16/1998 32700 600 0.005 0.05 4700 250

6/25/1998 33800 600 0.005 0.05 5550 250

3/30/1998 29800 600 0.005 0.05 4750 250

12/18/1997 34300 600 0.005 0.05 5300 250

9/25/1997 39000 600 0.005 0.05 5260 250

6/26/1997 36356 600 0.005 0.05 250

3/20/1997 31600 600 0.005 0.05 4636 250

12/31/1996 33216 600 0.005 0.05 5241 2509/27/1996 33500 600 0.005 0.05 4910 250

6/13/1996 33100 600 0.005 0.05 4850 250

3/12/1996 32800 600 0.005 0.05 6200 250

12/11/1995 27800 600 0.005 0.05 4100 250

9/6/1995 28800 600 0.005 0.05 3690 250

6/20/1995 28400 600 0.005 0.05 4000 250

3/9/1995 30200 600 0.005 0.05 4490 250

12/8/1994 27100 600 0.005 0.05 3710 250

9/12/1994 28800 600 0.005 0.05 3940 250

10


11/23

Well L Contaminant Plotting Table

Sample Date Sulfate NMED/gwb Selenium NMED/gwb Chloride NMED/gwb

6/16/1994 26000 600 0.001 0.05 4040 250

3/16/1994 28000 600 0.001 0.05 3520 250

12/15/1993 28500 600 0.001 0.05 3380 250

9/9/1993 21800 600 0.001 0.05 3540 250

6/17/1993 21400 600 0.01 0.05 3460 250

3/17/1993 24600 600 0.001 0.05 3360 250

12/9/1992 22500 600 0.001 0.05 3400 250

9/15/1992 25200 600 0.001 0.05 3340 250

6/8/1992 23800 600 0.001 0.05 2900 250

3/26/1992 21500 600 0.001 0.05 3100 250

12/16/1991 23000 600 0.001 0.05 2900 250

9/4/1991 24500 600 0.001 0.05 2920 250

6/11/1991 18400 600 0.001 0.05 2650 250

6/11/1991 22570 600 0.05 2920 250

3/27/1991 22900 600 0.001 0.05 2860 250

12/20/1990 24370 600 0.05 2920 250

9/13/1990 24460 600 0.05 2440 250

6/7/1990 23327.9 600 0.05 2762 250

3/6/1990 23430.81 600 0.05 2817 25012/5/1989 22340 600 0.005 0.05 2602 250

9/6/1989 23620 600 0.005 0.05 2701 250

5/31/1989 22707 600 0.005 0.05 2754 250

3/13/1989 22447 600 0.005 0.05 2588 250

6/27/1988 22180 600 0.005 0.05 2620 250

12/12/1987 18800 600 0.001 0.05 6320 250

6/19/1987 16700 600 0.002 0.05 6150 250

1/14/1987 20400 600 0.001 0.05 7050 250

12/2/1981 15600 600 0.05 2600 250

9/23/1981 19670 600 0.05 2480 250

6/24/1981 20500 600 0.05 2540 250

4/1/1981 20878 600 0.05 2620 250

12/3/1980 21200 600 0.05 2800 250

9/17/1980 21200 600 0.05 2600 250

6/5/1980 20900 600 0.05 2700 250

3/6/1980 21139 600 0.01 0.05 1874 250

11/29/1979 25000 600 0.05 3060 250

10/3/1979 22500 600 0.05 3280 250

NOTES:

The value of 1.0 for Chloride on 6/26/1997 appears to be a recording error. All other Chloride values for

well L range from 1874 to 7400 mg/L. The value 1. is not plotted for this date.

All data obtained from ENMRD files except for 9/14/09 taken by Four Corners Geosciences

NMED/gwb New Mexico Environment Department Ground Water Bureau

11


12/23

12

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Concentrationinmg/L

Well L Chloride

Chloride

NMED/gwb


13/23

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Concentrationinmg/L

Selenium

NMED/gwb

Well L Selenium

13


14/23

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

Concentrationinmg/L

Well L Sulfate

Sulfate

NMED/gwb

14


15/23

-15-

The only possible cause of the increasing pollutant concentrations in ground water drawn

from Well L is leaching of pollutants from CCW, followed by transport off the permit area either

by ground water movement, diffusion, or both. Although ground water drawn from Well D may also

be affected by mine spoils and runoff from SJCCs coal storage area, placement of CCW in mined

areas upgradient of Well D has contributed to exceedences of applicable ground water protection

standards at that location. Ground water at Well D flows in a southerly direction through the alluvial

aquifer and mine spoils to Shumway Diversion and the historic channel of Westwater Arroyo.

Polluted ground water from Well D then travels through the alluvial aquifer or as surface water to

the point where Westwater/Shumway Arroyo exits the permit area.

Thus, CCW placement has caused or contributed to material damage to the hydrologic

balance outside the permit area and has otherwise violated the applicable hydrologic protection

regulations cited in the previous section of this notice. CCW deposits at SJCCs mine continue to

do so. Despite the existence of this mine-related degradation of the hydrologic regime, SJCC has

failed to establish or use comprehensive treatment facilities to control the water pollution in

question.

B. SJCCs Operations Have Introduced Additional Water to the Hydrologic

Regime and Created Conditions That Allow the Additional Water to Become

Polluted, Discharge to the Shumway/Westwater Arroyo System, and Cause or

Contribute to Material Damage to the Hydrologic Balance Outside SJCCs

Permit Area.

In conducting surface coal mining and reclamation operations, SJCC has added water to lands

abutting a desert arroyo system. SJCC has done so in a variety of ways, including but not limited

to the watering of coal storage areas and haul roads. The adjacent power plant may also have added


16/23

-16-

additional water to the system through leaks in evaporation ponds, infiltration of water used in

transporting coal from SJCCs stockpiles to the power plant, or other activities.

Prior to the advent of industrial activity in the area, the surrounding desert arroyo system

transmitted water only in direct, immediate response to precipitation events. Since the

commencement of industrial activity, however, SJCCs mine, the adjacent power plant, or both have

created an elevated water table in the vicinity of SJCCs coal stockpile and the power plants eastern

evaporation ponds.

To facilitate mining coal in the vicinity of the historic channel of Shumway Arroyo, SJCC

has designed, constructed, operated, and maintained a diversion channel for that stream (Shumway

Diversion). The diversion channel intercepts the artificially elevated water table in the area of

SJCCs coal storage facility.

As a direct result, flowing . . . [w]ater exists within the Shumway Diversion for at least six

months of the year. 2009 Permit Application, Section 907.A(1) at 907-3; 2004 Permit Application,

Section 907.A(1) at 907-3. Despite repeatedly acknowledging this fact in permit applications over

at least the past five years, SJCC has failed to minimize the resulting disturbances to the prevailing

hydrologic balance at the mine-site and in associated offsite areas. As a result, Shumway Diversion

has caused and continues to cause significant degradation of the quality and quantity of water

downgradient of SJCCs mine.

Put another way, SJCC has designed, constructed, operated, and maintained Shumway

Diversion and adjacent surface coal mining operations in a manner that adds water to the hydrologic

regime but (a) fails to avoid toxic mine drainage, (b) fails to prevent or remove water from contact

with toxic producing deposits, or (c) fails to treat drainage to reduce toxic content which adversely


17/23

-17-

affects downstream water upon being released to water courses. More specifically, SJCC has

designed, constructed, operated, and maintained Shumway Diversion and surface coal mining

operations located adjacent to and downgradient of that diversion in a manner which:

(1) causes or contributes to material damage to the hydrologic balance outside of the

permit area by discharging polluted water from the permit area in Shumway Arroyo

and through the alluvial aquifer at times when, upgradient of the permit area,

Shumway Arroyo and Westwater Arroyo cumulatively either have no flow or have

significantly less flow than they do downgradient of the permit area;

(2) violates applicable federal or state water quality statutes, regulations, standards, or

effluent limitations by discharging polluted water from the permit area through

Shumway Arroyo, Westwater Arroyo, or their alluvial aquifers at times when,

upgradient of the permit area, Shumway Arroyo and Westwater Arroyo cumulatively

either have no flow or have significantly less flow than they do downgradient of the

permit area;

(3) causes or contributes to water pollution by discharging polluted water through

Shumway Arroyo or Westwater Arroyo when, upgradient of the permit area,

Shumway Arroyo and Westwater Arroyo cumulatively either have no flow or have

significantly less flow than they do downgradient of the permit area;

(4) fails to use treatment facilities to control water pollution resulting from the discharge

of polluted water through Shumway Arroyo, Westwater Arroyo, or their alluvial

aquifers when, upgradient of the permit area, Shumway Arroyo and Westwater


18/23

-18-

Arroyo cumulatively either have no flow or have significantly less flow than they do

downgradient of the permit area;

(5) allows waters draining off of the regraded area of SJCCs mine (a) to exceed baseline

values of pollutants listed in NMAC 19.8.20.2009(E)(2)(a) or (E)(3)(a), (b) to

create an increase in sediment load into the receiving streams; (c) to cause or

contribute to environmental harm by polluting water in the downgradient portion of

Shumway Arroyo and thus impairing the use of that water or associated ground water

for human consumption, irrigation, or livestock watering; or (d) to degrade, pollute,

or otherwise diminish the characteristics of water in the downgradient portion of

Shumway Arroyo and in adjacent portions of the San Juan River alluvial aquifer, so

as to cause imminent environmental harm to fish and wildlife habitats;

(6) discharges water from areas disturbed by surface mining activities (including but not

limited to coal storage and placement of CCW), which water violates applicable state

and federal water-quality laws and regulations by continuously, regularly, or

intermittently discharging polluted water from the permit area through Shumway

Arroyo, Westwater Arroyo, or their alluvial aquifers at times when Shumway Arroyo

and Westwater Arroyo cumulatively either have no flow or have significantly less

flow than they do downgradient of the permit area;

(7) fails to provide adequate facilities to treat water discharged from the disturbed area

through Shumway Arroyo or Westwater Arroyo at times when Shumway Arroyo and

Westwater Arroyo cumulatively either have no flow or have significantly less flow

than they do downgradient of the permit area, so as to ensure that such water


19/23

2 Additionally, the results of surface water monitoring by the New Mexico regulatory authority,

SJCC, or both, at surface water monitoring station 006, as reported on the regulatory authoritys

website, establish an instance in which concentration of dissolved selenium exceeded the applicablenumeric water quality standard for total selenium. The regulatory authority, SJCC, or both

frequently report a higher concentration of dissolved selenium than the concentration of total

selenium reported in the same sample. Because the concentration of total selenium in any water

sample is axiomatically either equal to or in excess of the concentration of dissolved selenium, the

posted results clearly involve human error of some sort. Taking the higher of the two reported

concentrations as the concentration of total selenium in the sample, the posted results establish

exceedence of the New Mexico water quality standard for total selenium at station 006 on September

9, 2005. On that date the sampling entity did not report selenium concentrations in excess of the

applicable water quality standard at station 005, upgradient of SJCCs permit.

Sierra Club has completed its analysis of pollution to date of surface water at the road culvert

with respect to selenium, sodium, and total dissolved solids. Sierra Club continues to analyze the

available data on concentrations of other pollutants at pertinent locations, including but not limited

to uranium, radium, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, chromium, iron,

magnesium, and phenols. Sierra Club asserts the right to demonstrate in its intended civil action that

(continued...)

-19-

complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and the limitations of NMAC

19.8.20; and

(8) fails to prevent material damage outside the permit area and assure the safety of the

public, NMAC 19.8.20.2011(A), 19.8.20.2012(A)(1).

At a minimum, SJCCs failure to prevent material damage outside the permit area as the

result of adding water to the hydrologic regime is apparent in the results of water samples that Sierra

Club representatives obtained during their September 14, 2009, site visit at the road culvert

immediately upgradient of the point at which Westwater Arroyo first exits SJCCs permit area.

Those results, which appear on the following page, show that the water sampled at that location

exceeded the applicable New Mexico numeric standard for surface water quality with respect to total

selenium and the applicable narrative standards for odor, taste, and reasonable use with respect to

sodium, chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids.2


20/23

Water Quality Exceedances at Culvert 09142009

Sample ID Date Site Name

RGHunt_14 20090914 -10825.812 3647.578min Culvert

Contaminant mg/L Criteria Documentation

Sodium 1070 see Footnotes 20.6.4.13

injure life, property, public welfare and

use (Narrative Standard)

Total Selenium 0.009 0.005 Wildlife habitat

Chloride 318 see Footnotes 20.6.4.13



Sulfate 2800 see Footnotes 20.6.4.13



TDS 5010 see Footnotes 20.6.4.13K



Footnotes:

National Secondary Drinking Water Standards is 250 mg/L for both Chloride and Sulfate

National Secondary Drinking Water Standards is 500 mg/L for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

National HealthBased Drinking Water Advisories are 20 mg/L for Sodium and 500 mg/L for Sulfate

2006 Edition,Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories, Office of Water, US EPA, Washington, DC, August 2006

Location

20


21/23

2(...continued)

SJCCs violations of SMCRA and the New Mexico program also occur due to pollution of surface

water at the culvert or any surface water monitoring station by any other contaminant for which there

exists an applicable New Mexico surface water quality standard.

-21-

Sierra Club representatives observed the stream of water that they sampled at the culvert

continuing to flow from the culvert to and beyond the boundary of SJCCs permit. There were no

observed conditions or structures between the road culvert and the permit boundary which would

have materially reduced the pollutant concentrations observed in water sampled at the culvert before

that water exited SJCCs permit area.

III. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ALLEGED

VIOLATIONS.

The person responsible for the violations alleged above is San Juan Coal Company, a

corporation. SJCCs address is P. O. Box 561, Waterflow, NM 87421. SJCCs telephone number

is (505) 598-2000.

IV. THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS.

Each of the violations alleged above is a continuing violation. Each of the ground water

violations occurs at the point where transmission of increased concentrations of each enumerated

pollutant, whether by ground water flow, diffusion, or both, crosses SJCCs permit boundary and

at such upgradient point, if any, at which a pollutant concentration first exceeds an applicable

hydrologic protection standard. Each of the surface water violations occurs at the point on the permit

area of SJCCs mine where Shumway Diversion becomes a perennial or intermittent stream, as the

case may be. The violation continues from that point downgradient to the point at which Shumway

Arroyo or Westwater Arroyo first exits the western boundary of SJCCs permit, and from that point


22/23

-22-

at least as far downgradient as the pollution attributable to SJCCs operations causes or contributes

to a violation of applicable water quality standards.

Each violation relating to pollution of ground water by CCW began on the date on which a

pollutant concentration in ground water affected by SJCCs placement of CCW first exceeded an

applicable hydrologic protection standard or caused or contributed to such an exceedence outside

SJCCs permit area. That date or set of dates is unknown to Sierra Club.

Each violation relating to water that SJCCs operations have added to the hydrologic balance

began on the date on which Shumway Arroyo first discharged polluted water from the permit area

after approval and issuance of SJCCs mining permit, other than in direct and immediate response

to a precipitation event. That date is unknown to Sierra Club.

Each violation has recurred constantly, regularly, or intermittently thereafter, whenever

Shumway Arroyo discharges polluted water from the permit area and there either is no flow or

significantly less flow in Shumway Arroyo and Westwater Arroyo upgradient of the permit area.

Sierra Club representatives most recently observed instances of each of the violations alleged above

either on September 14, 2009, during their inspection of SJCCs mine, or during their subsequent

analysis of water quality test results with respect to samples obtained during that inspection.

V. REQUIRED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Sierra Clubs address is 85 Second Street, 2d Floor, San Francisco, California 94105-3441;

its telephone number is (415) 977-5680. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of Sierra


23/23

-23-

Clubs legal counsel are shown below. Sierra Club requests that any person receiving this notice

direct all inquiries to the undersigned legal counsel.

Dated November 19, 2009 SIERRA CLUB

-By Counsel-

Walton D. Morris, Jr.

Morris Law Office, P.C.

1901 Pheasant Lane

Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

Telephone (434) 293-6616

Fax (434) 293-2811

E-mail: [email protected]

Smcra Noi Final

Documents

Transcript of Smcra Noi Final