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AWW Citizen Monitoring Manual

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1. Lax D eS ot LA I La o px Low Revision Date 4 4 08 Effective Date 4 16 08 APPENDIX C CALIBRATION INSTRUCTIONS SITE REPORT CARD LIABILITY RELEASE FORM CALIBRATION INSTRUCTIONS Conductivity Calibration 1 ee Ol S IS p Pour calibration fluid into clear plastic cylinder Unscrew grey pH temperature probe and replace with black attachment Press Cal button Select Conductivity press Enter Select Conductivity not Sp Conductivity or Salinity press Enter Select C uS cm press Enter Immerse probe into beaker fluid above the two calibration holes on upper black part of probe Select Calibration value press Enter Type in 10 000 to set the calibration value to 10 000 uS cm press Enter 10 When calibration reading stabilizes select Accept Calibration press Enter pH Calibration 1 Em Dy t M IS Pour 7 0 pH fluid into clear plastic cylinder a calibrate to 4 0 or 10 0 pH simply use appropriate calibration fluid and set the calibration value accordingly Screw on the metal cover to protect the grey pH temperature probe Turn on handheld device Press Cal button Select ISE1 pH press Enter Immerse probe into beaker fluid above temperature monitor Select Calibration value press Enter in 7 0 to set the calibration value to 7 0 press Enter When calibration reading stabilizes select Accept Calibration press Enter 10
2. Map button to identify nearby landmarks towns streets or public buildings and zoom in on your location using the scale on the left side of the screen or by double clicking your location Once you have zoomed in sufficiently you can double click on your location to automatically generate the latitude longitude and state in the fields above the map You must type in the county location 2 If you know the latitude and longitude of your field sampling location from a GPS device you have taken with you type in the latitude and longitude 3 If you are submitting measurements for a site that you have already submitted before you can click on the existing map marker and copy and paste the latitude and longitude into the required fields using your browser s edit functions Hemember to fill in the county and state information for your observation as well Latitude County Longitude State Reset Map Center ES some arn reran e ue New j Brunswick f Nova l aA y Q N sconsir b Scotia j a J j _ LL Gulf of Imagery 2011 TerraMetrics Map data 2011 Europa Technologies INEGI Terms of Use REPORTING DATA 1 Water Quality Data Submit water quality measurements by typing in the numerical values you have recorded The measurement units are included outside of the box so units do not need to be entered 27 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig
3. Take Action in Your Watershed e Find the hot spots and visit the nearest downstream location that is publicly accessible o Do not trespass on private property o Use public roads and waterways to fully observe the site e Measure conductivity pH temperature and total dissolved solids and take pictures and or video e File an online report card upload data pictures and or video e Keep copies of photographs for your records in case the local authority loses them j Follow up e Continue monitoring the site to track ongoing problems and find new concerns e Be aware of new mine permit applications and permit renewals e Follow the legal action of Appalachian Voices and other groups against coal mine permit violations 111 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal Appalachian Voices Contact Information Boone North Carolina Washington DG Charlottesville Virginia 191 Howard St 122 C St NW Suite 240 408 E Market Suite 201C Boone NC 28607 Washington DC 20001 Charlottesville VA 22902 828 262 1500 202 266 0479 434 293 6373 Main Office Credits and Acknowledgments Written by Erin Savage M E Sc Appalachian Voices Kara Dodson Appalachian Voices Donna Lisenby Appalachian Voices Thank you to the following people and organizations for submission materials comments and editing Eric Chance Kristin Tracz Meg Holden Maeve Gould Jilian Randel Benji Burrell Jeff Deal Parker Stevens Susan Congelosi an
4. Repeat steps 1 9 for 4 0 and 10 0 pH calibration 11 After calibrating for all three pH values press the Cal button to finish WATER QUALITY MONITORING SITE REPORT CARD Where Receiving Stream if applicable Nearest Road Bridge or Intersection Nearest Town Latitude Longitude County State When Time Date Weather Description Hain in last 24 hours Measurements Temperature F Conductivity uS cm TDS mg L pH Additional Notes Appalachian Water Watch Liability Release Form As an Appalachian Water Watch volunteer will comply with all safety protocols outlined in the Citizen Monitoring Manual and training session During all monitoring activities including but not exclusive to field water testing agree to practice safe measures and not pose any physical or legal risks to myself or those around me While testing in flowing or standing water agree not to wade in waters more than knee deep or under flood conditions To reduce any physical harm from working in the field understand that proper shoes and clothing should be worn agree to indemnify and not hold accountable Appalachian Voices and the community partner organizations of Appalachian Water Watch for all personal physical and legal harms that may occur while volunteering with the program agree not to trespass on private property at all times Signature Printed Name Date
5. AMD Acid Mine Drainage CSMO Coal Surface Mining Operation CWA Clean Water Act DEP Department of Environmental Protection Kentucky DEQ Department of Environmental Quality Virginia DMLR Division of Mine Land Reclamation Virginia DMME Department of Mines Minerals and Energy Virginia DMR Discharge Monitoring Report DMRE Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement sometimes still referred to as Division of Surface Mine Reclamation and Enforcement DSMRE Kentucky DNR Department of Natural Resources Kentucky DOW Division of Water within the Department of Environmental Protection Kentucky EPA Environmental Protection Agency Federal KPDES Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NOI Notice of Intent NON Notice of Noncompliance NOV Notice of Violation SMCRA Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act TDS Total Dissolved Solids TSS Total Suspended Solids VPDES Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System GLOSSARY Acid Mine Drainage Discharge with an acidic pH value from a coal mine The discharge is usually acidic from the presence of sulfate salts Conductivity The measurement of the ability of water to conduct electricity The ability to conduct electricity indicates the presence of certain substances ina water sample such as salts or heavy metals Discharge Point Source Disch
6. Coal 2 Date and Time The page will automatically fill in the current date and time of your page submission correct this to reflect the date and time that you took the measurements in the field 3 Weather Write a brief description of the weather during the time your measurements were taken and also include information on recent rainfall 4 Other Observations The last box allows you to include any other observations you would like to report Please indicate any blatant Clean Water Act violations or alarming data values When you are finished filling in each field click on Log Observation to finalize your report To view reports already submitted by you or other volunteers click on the Report Cards link under Citizen Testing All data submitted by you and other volunteers is viewable either through the interactive map or the data table located below To delete or edit any old the map on the Report Cards page To open reports contact aww specific reports either find the location on the LEY admin appvoices org map or scroll through the data table UPLOADING PICTURES AND VIDEOS To upload a picture you must first log a site report card using the above steps Ideally your photos will be accompanied by water quality monitoring data taken on the same day however we know that you may come across the opportunity to photograph important findings without also being able to take water quality measur
7. Repeal Obamacare Vote Here Now www newsmax com Pine Branches Get Pine Branches Find Pine Branches www ask com Example Locating a Virginia mine using Google Maps in Satellite mode Once you have located the mining operation on the Google Map zoom in or out using the scale on the left hand side and move around the mapping area by single clicking and dragging on the map While in Satellite mode the landscape topography is visible according to the shading of valleys and side slopes To see a topographic map without the picture quality of Satellite mode click the button to activate Map mode circled in red above Hover over the oatellite button to select the Terrain viewing option This allows you to view the contour lines measured elevations and waterways streams rivers ponds lakes in the same area you found using Satellite mode The same map above is on the following page The Roaring Fork River is circled in blue and the area of an active mine is circled in orange The elevation of the mine is indicated as 2 600 feet to 3 000 feet The downhill Pine Branch Road and Roaring Fork River are 2 000 feet to 2 200 feet in elevation By using the terrain feature in Map mode you can easily identify waterways that are downhill or downstream from mining operations Downhill and downstream waterways are ideal monitoring areas Read on to otep 2 page 13 to finalize an exact monitoring location and ma
8. enter while the instrument is displaying the stabilized readings Log One Sample is already highlighted at the top of the screen You can specify a site name or folder name to save the data under You can create a new site or folder name through this menu too Temperature should be reported in degrees Fahrenheit F Conductivity should be reported in microseimens per centimeter uS cm TDS should be reported in milligrams per liter mg L pH should be reported as pH not mV pH If the instrument is set to display a measurement with the wrong set of units or one of the measurements is not displayed on the screen at all you can add necessary measurements and change the units displayed by pressing the Probe button on the device marked with a probe icon This will bring up the sensor menu Highlight Display using the down arrow and push enter Highlight the measurement that needs to be added or for which the units need to be changed either Temperature Conductivity or ISE1 pH To change the units for TDS first select Conductivity then select TDS Lastly select the appropriate units to be displayed Your device should now display all four measurements with correct units on the main screen 27 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal Appalachian Voices Riverkeeper Team taking field notes Probe Calibration File Screen back light Power Use these buttons to turn the monitor on turn o
9. for discharges of acid or ferruginous mine drainage from existing source or new discharger coal preparation plants and coal preparation plant associated areas Page A2 has the effluent limitations and monitoring requirements for discharges of acid or ferruginous mine drainage from new source coal preparation plants and plant associated areas You will notice that the limits and requirements on both sheets are the same The only difference is the description of the source of the discharge This general permit is what you will see for most coal mines in Kentucky The basic elements of a Kentucky general permit e Fact Sheet Contains an overview of the permit requirements as well as justifications for chosen limits and methodologies e Cover Sheet Includes the discharger s name and address the receiving waterway name and the dates during which the permit is effective e Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements Includes which parameters must be monitored limits for some parameters and requirements for monitoring frequency There are many specific sets of limitations and requirements for different categories of discharge which are described at the top of each sheet e Other Requirements Includes additional information such as the procedure for reclassifying discharge type alternative effluent standards special monitoring during large rain events and ecological assessments requirements e Schedule of Comp
10. iron or manganese If you see violations for an entry that includes precipitation of at least 0 2 inches ignore these violations as rain can cause many different effects on pH TDS and TSS When you review DMRs you should look for instances where the measurements exceed the limits stated on the Effluent Limitations sheets In general these limits are usually the following pH less than 6 or pH greater than 9 monthly average iron greater than 3 0 daily iron greater than 6 0 monthly average manganese greater than 2 0 daily manganese greater than 4 0 TSS monthly average greater than 35 daily TSS greater than 70 If not indicated measurements are usually in milligrams per liter mg L You will have to calculate the monthly average values yourself as they are not calculated on the spreadsheets COMPANY ID 001 MONITORING SAMPLES 36 MpNo WtDate WtTime WtCategory WtFlow WtType WtDepth WtPh Wtlron WtManganese WtTss WtSs WtPrec WtApp WtTemp WtAcid WtAlka WtConMic WtTds WtAg TblLbCode PeNo 0 0006925 9 25 09 16 43 0006925 10 7 09 11 58 25 0006925 10 22 09 17 00 20 0006925 10 29 09 13 58 20 0006925 11 4 09 17 11 30 0006925 11 17 09 16 10 0 0006925 12 3 09 11 39 5 0006925 12 14 09 11 23 60 0006925 1 5 10 10 33 1 25 0006925 1 20 10 16 15 1 100 0006925 1 21 10 15 35 1 200 0006925 2 1 10 12 03 1 125 0006925 2 10 10 15 05 1 100 0006925 3 2 10 11 49 1 30 0006925 3 8 10 08 30 1 30 0006925 3 10 10 12 29 1 40 0006925 3 15 10 09 20 1
11. legal action against non compliant coal companies bringing national attention to the devastation that surface mining can perpetuate within Central Appalachia Power in numbers the expanding work structure of Appalachian Water Watch C Volunteers 0 Y O f IY Y A O NP Y lH Appalachian Voices Trainer APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal The Clean Water Act SECTION 402 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM NPDES DELEGATED PROGRAMS UNDERSTANDING COAL INDUSTRY PERMITS GENERAL PERMITS INDIVIDUAL PERMITS TAKING ACTION WITHIN THE NPDES SYSTEM MONITORING WATER QUALITY AND PERMIT COMPLIANCE REVIEWING DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS DMRs AND PERMITS The Clean Water Act CWA is the federal law used to control water pollution throughout the country Its main goal is to restore and maintain the chemical physical and biological integrity of the Nation s waters There is on going debate over the CWA definition of the Nation s waters but it is generally agreed that navigable and interstate streams rivers and lakes as well as tributaries and associated wetlands are included in the definition The CWA states it is the national goal that the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters be eliminated by 1985 Clearly this did not happen Nevertheless the CWA remains an invaluable tool in controlling pollution from coal mining The CWA gives the federal Envir
12. measurement of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current For our purposes conductivity will be measured in microsiemens per centimeter symbolized as uS cm The conductivity of water is affected by the presence of dissolved substances in the water Conductivity is not a pollutant but serves as an indicator of the presence of pollutants Natural Appalachian stream water has a base level of conductivity This base level remains fairly constant assuming there are no additional pollutants The EPA has determined that values below 300 us cm protect aquatic life and values above 500 uS cm should not be exceeded in the watersheds of Central Appalachia If you find conductivity measurements that are greater than 500 uS cm the reported value will indicate to Appalachian Voices that a problem area may exist and needs to be further investigated and reported Continued monitoring of this area will further establish this baseline and allow you to note changes that occur if factors such as mine activity and rainfall lead to new pollutant discharges 16 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal i B 100 200 300 400 500 gt 500 Q uS cm pH is the measure of the hydrogen ion activity of the water sample pH value of 7 indicates a neutral water sample while a pH less than 7 indicates an acidic sample and a pH greater than 7 indicates an alkaline or basic sample The criterion for freshwate
13. them or removing the probe from the water If no conductivity reading is registering on the device then that usually indicates that the probe is not submerged past the conductivity electrodes Submerge the probe without hitting the stream bottom or kicking up any sediment Two Holes for Conductivity Electrodes Sample in pools of water below a pipe not in the pipe flow to ensure the probe is immersed Cc c Temperature Sensor pH Sensor Bulb Note the probe pictured above is shown without the metal cover to better show the sensor locations Do NOT take measurements without the metal cover in place 21 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal 5 Record your measurements Write down your measurements before removing the probe from the water Even if you are recording measurements in the monitoring device a handwritten copy of your data prevents losing data if the device malfunctions or the batteries die Also write down the date time your sampling location the weather conditions and any rainfall that has occurred in the past 24 hours Ideally you should not sample within 24 hours following rainfall UNLESS you observe unusual water characteristics and need to document them We have provided sample site report card sheets to help you keep track of your data in Appendix C Rinse the entire probe between sample locations with tap water To log a measurement in the handheld device just press
14. used in the coal washing process Total Dissolved Solids The total measurement of all organic and inorganic substances dissolved in water Unlike sediments or suspended solids dissolved solids do not settle out of a water sample Watershed An area of land where all surface and underground water drains to the same place APPENDIX KENTUCKY DMR REVIEW TOOLS KENTUCKY OPEN RECORDS FORMS EXAMPLE DMR EXAMPLE GENERAL PERMIT To request DMRs and NPDES permits please refer to the below table for contact Information and which forms to use A general permit can be identified by the NPDES permit number it will begin KY G An individual permit will not include the G You can also review DMRs in the agency office free of charge All of the following contact information and request forms can be found and downloaded at http eec ky gov Pages OpenRecords aspx Document KY Agency Form to Mail Request Direct Request to Receiving Use to the Request Discharge Division of Kentucky DMRE Davie Ransdell Monitoring Mine Open 2 Hudson rms ky gov 502 Report Reclamation Records Hollow 565 2320 OR Enforcement Act Frankfort KY Shawn Fritz DMRE 40601 shawn fritz ky gov 502 564 2340 Coal Mine Division of Kentucky DMRE Davie Ransdell General Mine Open 2 Hudson rms ky gov 502 Permit Reclamation Records Hollow 565 2320 OR Enforcement Act Frankfort KY Shawn Fritz DMRE 40601 shawn fritz ky go
15. you are a citizen of the state APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal from which you are requesting the documents and that you submit a written request here are forms for these requests for both Kentucky and Virginia found In Appendices and B respectively DMRs can be printed or sent electronically to the requesting citizen or agency If you are requesting printed DMRs be sure to ask about the cost of copies and remember to mention that you are requesting documents through a non profit organization Black and white copies are often around 10 cents a page but larger documents and color copies may have additional fees There may be a service fee involved if you ask agency personnel to locate documents for you Electronic copies are usually available and can be sent ona CD Many DMRs are submitted electronically in an Excel or text file by the coal company to the state agency and can be transferred to you in the original electronic format Another option is to review documents in the agency office This is often the most efficient and least expensive option If requesting DMRs is becoming financially difficult please contact Appalachian Voices to find cheaper ways to obtain these reports For a list of agency contact information for Kentucky please see Appendix A For a list of agency contact information for Virginia please see Appendix B Familiarize yourself with the Kentucky or Virginia DMR formats by checking Appendix A KY or
16. 08 Mylar 10 00 Color maps 10 00 TAPES Audio cassettes 2 00 60 minutes VCR Tapes 53 00 VHS 120VCD s 2 00 DYD 5 00 A US Postal mailing charge will be added according to weight to any copies that are to be mailed 7 Checks and money orders must be written to KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER Payment must be received prior to release of any copied material 8 Methods For Sending Request Mail Department for Natural Resources Division of Mine Permits ATTN Records Management Section Section 2 Hudson Hollow Frankfort KY 40601 4511 FAX 502 564 6764 ATTN Records Management Section E Mul rmsi ky gov my T p mp F J RE IER 1 W v i LU k d k d AND PERMIT SUSIBER S LISTED BELOW COMPANY MAME PERMIT INFORMATION DESCRIPTION COMMENTS NO ural Resources Division af Mine Permits Administrative Support Section Use Only Far Departn ent of ar Date Completed Disposition Viewed Copied pages maps audio tapes video tapes Mailed Date Picked Up Date Total Amount Payment Cash Check 5 Money Order REQUEST TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS KRS CH 61 REQUEST DATE T Name of State Agency Public files in Regional Offices are not necessarily complete Complete public files may be examined at the appropriate central office 1n Frankfort Ky 1 request to inspect the following document s z Number of
17. 55 0006925 4 5 10 09 10 1 35 0006925 4 12 10 08 20 1 20 0006925 4 19 10 09 15 1 30 0006925 5 17 10 12 48 1 250 0006925 6 14 10 09 16 1 75 0006925 6 21 10 09 04 1 25 0006925 6 25 10 08 30 1 25 0006925 7 6 10 10 10 1 25 0006925 7 13 10 16 05 1 20 0006925 8 2 10 14 28 1 15 0006925 8 16 10 15 45 1 10 0006925 9 2 10 12 27 1 20 0006925 9 16 10 11 55 1 10 0006925 10 5 10 12 39 1 20 0006925 10 21 10 12 37 1 5 0006925 11 1 10 12 08 1 50 0006925 11 9 10 11 38 1 25 0006925 12 7 10 12 30 1 50 0006925 12 15 10 12 25 1 30 AVERAGE 4 23 10 44 58 BASELINE SAMPLES 0 INSPECTOR SAMPLES 1 O1 0 3 0 2 0 2 WtDate WtTime WtCategory WtFlow WtType WtDepth WtPh Wtlron WtManganese WtTss 0006925 1 28 10 13 45 AVERAGE 1 28 10 112 112 00 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 5 2 18 0 6 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 46 200 18 00 214 232 204 188 110 140 166 218 102 126 170 132 150 238 188 114 178 262 206 230 218 272 314 288 236 260 196 21 1 IX IX 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 1102008 WtSs WtPrec WtApp WtTemp WtAcid WtAlka WtConMic WtTds WtAg TblLbCode PeNo 91 1102008 Example DMR Data WtF
18. 7 0 and 10 0 pH solution for pH calibration 1 bottle of 10 000 uS cm solution for conductivity calibration 3 calibration cylinders Professional Plus instrument to the left and cable with probe attached to the right The end of the cable attaches to the bottom of the Professional Plus body 19 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal INSTRUCTIONS 1 Preparation with the trainer When picking up the Pro Plus sampling kit from the trainer in your region make sure to tell the trainer where you are going to test Check weather reports to ensure you are not testing during a flood warning thunderstorm or other dangerous weather conditions Ask if the organization has a first aid kit to lend Bring a pad of paper and pens to record your results and a bottle of tap water to rinse the probe after each testing location The trainer can also set up the file and site names on the handheld device before you leave the office ensuring your data is saved in an easy to find file Volunteer ID cards should be available Lastly make sure that the probe has the metal case and grey protective cover on the probe end and the pH solution is removed 2 Find your sampling location Choose a sampling location that is safe for you If you can get directly down to the water without being on private property or putting yourself in danger do so The closer to a discharge site you can sample while remaining downstream of the site the better Roads are pub
19. A Poad Dutioqiuola 5 Sealy diva amp SPL ao oly os5b t DUE 0 al Up SUCHEJ Aug J BDIEBE IOEXS PUP Juan 1L uos 20 ag JE a p j n qe azidaune Jo Jac aAnnaa DORR as ej soper LUPUS Sim sint Jey Spon HOMan v A x JB GD Aruj 9 Jtag au Saber Ed let yO a njeubis WOO cep SUS Jp poni spprpoaipul aso GGeI pO FOE uc pug ey ues Jet uum POLLO Apuca IR JO Apjpugd Japun Apa dE quic J Im Sette e e o ULT tt tte Sead 10 aJ rs peor adus sqjun stk wie Decem m m n n x LL paepugqs Hd ars gol ajdwes Ee PIE PUES ET 6 E0369 JU LU SB Apu gp LOC bo EODED x xx ah ot oh shee oe ste eo m e m n n x ded se Ajipiay ors gol HOC MM ok pk LS POLLO Z s I CSET s s hi usn Ett iAr2npun ars pol HAWES EXAMPLE GENERAL PERMIT FROM A KENTUCKY COAL MINE The following pages some of the most useful excerpts from a Kentucky general permit Page A1 has the effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
20. APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal CITIZEN MONITORING MANUAL Protecting Our Local Waterways TABLE OF CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL lii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES AND MISSION 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW cians 2 95 2729 ceo gu q assia 1 PROJECT OBJECTIVE S 2 35 42 3 4 E s SR CR eee e e m an x 1 PROJECT BENEFITS ste ih d Du wo tay ed DUIS dh su lod Eod ten bapa 2 CHAPTER TWO THE CLEAN WATER ACT 3 SECTION 402 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATIONSYSTEM NPDES 3 DELEGATED PROGRAM Swi n ded t Mn ee oe eed u aswaa ie bee pae 4 UNDERSTANDING COAL INDUSTRY NPES PERMITS 5 GENERAL PERMITS 145 2 920 a wet wars an C uwa RU a 5 INDIVIDUAL PERMIT S2 ri m ds DR Een as 6 TAKING ACTION WITHIN THE NPDES SYSTEM MONITORING WATER QUALITY AND PERMIT COMPLIANCE REVIEWING DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS AND PERMITS CHAPTER THREE TAKING ACTION 10 PART ONE HOW TO IDENTIFY HOT SPOTS GATHER INFORMATION TESTING LOCATION 10 STEP 1 IDENTIFY WHERE COAL MINING AFFECTS WATERWAYS 10 INTERNET MAPPING IN YOUR COMMUNITY 10 PERMITTED DISCHARGE LOCATION
21. Appendix B VA example DM Rs APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal J Taking Action PART ONE HOW TO IDENTIFY HOT SPOTS GATHER INFORMATION TESTING LOCATION STEP 1 IDENTIFY WHERE COAL MINING AFFECTS WATERWAYS INTERNET MAPPING IN YOUR COMMUNITY PERMITTED DISCHARGE LOCATIONS STEP 2 WHERE YOU CAN TEST DEFINITION OF STATE AND FEDERAL WATERS STEP 3 WHEN TO TEST WEATHER TIMING CONSIDERATIONS GATHER INFORMATION TESTING LOCATION Choosing an appropriate site location is the most important step when testing and reporting potential water quality issues Appalachian Water Watch focuses primarily on large scale pollution hot spots These are locations where coal mining operations can harm ecosystem functions wildlife plants and or human use of waterways When choosing a monitoring location ask yourself the following questions step 1 Is the waterway affected by nearby coal mining operations or discharge outfalls Step 2 Can legally and safely access this waterway otep 3 When is the best time to test the water STEP 1 IDENTIFY WHERE COAL MINING AFFECTS WATERWAYS Hot spots include streams or rivers that experience heavy coal mining pollution and are devoid of healthy aquatic life and plants In some cases mining operations have a history of water quality violations that can be found in the news or online If you live near a coal mine that has violated either state or federal water laws then the nearby water
22. CORRECTING PERMIT VIOLATIONS Violations of NPDES permits can be enforced in three different ways 1 State or federal agency enforcement actions or administrative penalties 2 Criminal prosecution 3 Citizen lawsuit Permit enforcement actions can be triggered in a wide variety of circumstances such as inspection results review of submitted discharge monitoring reports or from complaints filed by citizens and current or former employees CIVIL ENFORCEMENT The state has the primary civil enforcement responsibility when it comes to permit violations In the case of a violation agencies decide if and how to pursue enforcement action on at least three factors the violator s culpability or intention the extent of environmental harm caused by the violation and the economic benefit the violator gained through its failure to comply with the law When a state agency documents a violation it is supposed to issue a notice of noncompliance NON or notice of violation NOV to the violator The most common civil enforcement action is the issuance of a civil penalty The Clean Water Act charges a penalty of up to 32 500 per violation per day In addition to imposing penalties an enforcement authority may also e Require immediate actions to correct the violation e Require documentation of future compliance e Order facility operators to cease operations until problems are fully addressed e Revoke the discharger s permit e Refuse to renew a p
23. ES permits are individual permits GENERAL PERMITS General permits are developed for multiple enterprises that have the same type of discharge and occur within the same geographic area This means that not every discharger is specifically examined or permitted for a unique activity and location General permits are commonly used for coal mining sites or related coal processing facilities within Kentucky If the owners of a coal facility believe their enterprise qualifies under an existing general permit category they can apply to be covered by that permit They generally do so through an application called a Notice of Intent NOI The amount of information required by the NOI varies but very few are longer than two pages and require APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal little detail about the activity An individual permit can be required based on the decision of the state agency or because of a citizen petition see INDIVIDUAL PERMITS Reasons for the use of an individual permit include the discharger is out of compliance better technology is available the receiving waterway is no longer protected by the original permit or the discharger is a significant polluter The general permit is developed and renewed every five years The permit describes the activities permitted the potential impacts of these activities and specifies when an activity does not qualify for the general permit For example if coal mine discharge is likely to
24. Maps application Identify on Google Maps any streams creeks or rivers downhill or downstream from the coal mining operation Plan how you will access the waterway of interest make sure that a here are roads accessing the stream creek or river b You can safely test the water either from a bridge or public road c If you test within the waterway that you take no physical or legal risks d You do not trespass when testing the stream Plan when to test make sure that a It has not rained within 24 hours b You test immediately after any major news or pollution events related to the waterway or mining operation c You can complete testing within 1 day including travel time Record any landmarks near the testing site for later documentation Safety protocol for responding to spills 1 2 pL Your safety is more important than any water sample Call your local AWW trainer and the Riverkeeper Team at the Appalachian Voices if you become aware of a spill if you wish to remain anonymous and do not want to document the spill the Riverkeeper Team may be able to send others to complete documentation Only if it is safe travel to the waterway impacted by the spill Take pictures video from a safe place elevated ground upwind of any air pollution Conduct testing from a safe place with protective clothing non flood waters wear waterproof gloves shoes and clothes a Immediately wash instrument heavy metals acids toxins c
25. RNMENT DO ITS JOB STOPPING AND CORRECTING PERMIT VIOLATIONS CIVIVENFORCEMENT seen PARES CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ee GHI ZEN EAWSUL yu ERU LUDERE ae eie edes i ACRONYMS GLOSSARY APPENDIX A KENTUCKY DMR REVIEW TOOLS KENTUCKY OPEN RECORDS FORMS EXAMPLE DMR EXAMPLE GENERAL PERMIT APPENDIX B VIRGINIA DMR REVIEW TOOLS VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FORM EXAMPLE DMR EXAMPLE INDIVIDUAL PERMT APPENDIX C SITE REPORT CARD CALIBRATION INSTRUCTIONS 11 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL The best way to get started is to gather friends and family and take the AWW training class provided by a community partner organization You will join other like minded and caring individuals who are willing to protect the irreplaceable biodiversity of Appalachian streams and the mountain communities 4 Take the AWW Training e Learn how the law applies to Appalachian watersheds and how to review permits for violations e Review coal mine discharge monitoring reports DMRs to identify violations inconsistencies and other problems e Identify areas where water monitoring is needed e Get equipped with a water testing toolkit e Learn how to put the results online and show the world what coal does to waterways and communities in Appalachia e Require government accountability to the people
26. S 12 STEF 2 WHERE YOU CAN TEST 3 san payaa sqa eee usa 13 DEFINITION OF STATE AND FEDERAL WATERS 14 STEP 3 WHEN TO TEST WEATHER TIMING CONSIDERATIONS 14 CHAPTER FOUR TAKING IT TO THE WATERSHED 16 PART TWO HOW TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY HOW TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY eI 16 CONDUCTIVITY Ro a EROR Oe EE EE Ev ca utaq 16 EMT 17 TEMPERATURE oho P RUD Uie e edt c e 17 TOLAEJBISSOLVED SOLIDS 23 53 5 385 2 0 13 0 458 18 HOW COAL MINING DISCHARGE CAN AFFECT MEASUREMENTS 18 TAKING FIELD MEASUREMENT S 45 2 2 47 carr c eie EOD ED e DR e ete 19 INSTRUCTIONS det di S todo esed UAE eee du eod 20 STORAGE AND CARING FOR THE INSTRUMENT BETWEEN SAMPLING Uia RAE CE EET TILES TERT 23 POLAROID JUSTICE cive der ita md Rae KR dede ERA a ESO Oe ERAS 25 RECORDING THE DATA a x xy uto nde IEEE Po PE Ro PE es 25 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal CHAPTER FIVE MAKING IT PUBLIC ONLINE REPORTING PART THREE EXPOSING HOW COAL AFFECTS APPALACHIAN WATERWAYS FILING AN ONLINE SITE REPORT CARD 2 LOGGING THE MONITORING LOCATION REPORTING DATA sa 3 13 33 SR REO FRA ES ER ne eee 64 2 bee PARTIE UPLOADING PICTURES AND VIDEOS lessen CHAPTER SIX GETTING THE GOVE
27. Stream Code and Name indicates the receiving waterway APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal Limit provides the reference code with which to look up the specific limits and requirements on the Effluent Limits sheets Stat indicates the status of the pond A active ND no discharge NC not constructed Any pond that has an active status should have a sheet of DMR data To determine the reporting requirements and limits for that particular pond look at the limit code on the Fact Sheet Then reference the Effluent Limitations sheets to find the requirements and limits that correspond to the code and therefore that particular discharge There are two different Effluent Limitations sheets They can be differentiated by two characteristics The fourth column contains the reference code found on the Fact Sheets o The 21 indicates effluent limits for an unimpaired waterway o The 30 indicates effluent limits for an impaired waterway The sheet for impaired waterways includes a column for TDS which must be reported Most outfalls will have either 21 13 or 30 13 as the limit code These codes apply to new acidic ponds on mines that have not yet been reclaimed The X indicates which measurements and limits are required The last column contains the Minimum Precipitation for Exemption This column indicates that when at least 0 2 inches or more rain have fallen the mine is not required to report either
28. Trespass evidence When you have completed testing the approximate latitude and longitude of your testing site can be uploaded to the Appalachian Water Watch website under Citizen Testing Reports see Chapter 5 On the day of testing make sure to record any landmarks or roads near the site of testing so that you can easily identify and map it online Site Report Card Appendix C STEP 3 WHEN TO TEST WEATHER TIMING CONSIDERATIONS Now that you have identified a waterway that has safe legal access and has clear potential to be harmed by coal mining discharge the last step is to pick a testing date Plan your travel time for equipment retrieval site visit and equipment return within one day The one day limit is due to the testing equipment sensitivity to drying out and frequency of use by other volunteers Do not test water within 24 hours of rain or snow One exception is if you notice unusual discharge or other unusual characteristics in a waterway following a large rainstorm In this case water testing can be done but carefully document and report the rain event as well Do test after a major pollution disaster such as a slurry impoundment break regardless of weather Again do not take any physical or legal risks when choosing the test date 14 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal Review of location identification 1 2 5 Find your community nearby coal mine or permitted DMR outfall using the Google
29. affect fish when they are migrating or spawning the permit could limit the timing and duration of the outflow The permit will also describe the information needed from every applicant and the compliance requirements General permits are subject to public notice and review only during the initial permit development and if there is a five year renewal There is limited public and governmental review of each the NOI applications during the five year period Voicing concerns during the public review every five years is very important given that an unlimited number of coal industry permittees can be included under each general permit Information on the permittees covered by each general permit is public and should be available from your permitting agency or can be requested using the Freedom of Information Act FOIA which is discussed below INDIVIDUAL PERMITS Individual permits are site specific and usually more detailed than general permits The pollutant limits may be based on the category of discharge or the water quality of the receiving waterway According to the CWA major industrial dischargers must apply for individual permits States may differ in how they define major industrial dischargers but their definitions must be acceptable to the EPA In Kentucky individual permits may be issued to coal mines under special circumstances Individual permits are becoming more common in Kentucky Virginia has never developed a general permit for coal
30. amp eD sqI ONIHOLINON SHOLLYLIALI NO2HYVHOSGIG BOLLSIHAXLOVHVHO DeIII2sds se 389070 TWIed By AQ eq TITEUS seBbieqostp yong jrured WHWoOSs uj4 ur PeqTiosep se eoinos qurod TTE PezZTACUINE eejjTured agg jruied Sty jo uie ayy io asepa puoq I eseEngg gbnoxqg3 BuUTISse pue jJrT u r d Jo agep aqq uo BnurTuurbaq aya Butang SERIE DajEr2OssE Juerd DoT Ieredeid eoo pue sqjuEe d uorjeigedeid Teo 1I abiIEFEUDSEID MSU IO eoo43nos BUTISTXS PEUITETD snourbniioj io DTIPE jo sebaeqgosrg jo uorjdprirosed OSOSE DN 0000T 02AN U ON jrursd T I I BTQeE2TTddy JON sueeu Y N UOTIETARIGQGE FUL s I Fij3jno uoz suePoaijsoj sEA siojEM PuTAT8D581 qg 07 qurod eT qrsse22E9 uoT3E OT BUTMOT TOL 807 Je uexEj eq T TEUS periroeds squeueagzinbezr DuTIO4J3TUuOU BY YJAM eougryduoo UT uswxgj serdues SIUNOWE SOFT UEYJ Tayo UT u eus IO uEQI STOQTSTA io SpTTos BuTIeoTI jo ou eq Teus elu SINO FE JO POTAM jTun PISPUETS JEU iO R JETJOSDLII um zjs DurATeoeoea Jo Hd BU esne2o JOU TEUS s s bB5iEUDSESTID ijo sed j eseugry erdues qeab Aq uyquoW z peiuio
31. ample Fact Sheet Page 1 DMLR TMBR 08 MPID 0006925 0006926 0006927 MPID 0006922 0006923 0006924 0007318 MPID 0006928 0006929 0006930 0006931 MPID 0006921 Outfall Number 001 002 003 Outfall SF 6 SF 10 SF 2 SF 3 DIVISION OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION PAGE 3 06 02 11 MONITORING POINT DETAIL SUPPLEMENT RECORD 0002132 PERMIT 1102008 III NPDES DISCHARGE SITES Required Stream Facility State Plane N State Plane E Code Name Quad POND 1 3586465 0000 10278895 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP POND 2 3584425 0000 10279013 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP POND 3 3584067 0000 10278928 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP IV GROUNDWATER MONITORING SITES Required Facility State Plane N State Plane E Elev Type Quad CLINT 3586871 0000 10275980 0000 1850 SPRING FLAT GAP FILL1 3586778 0000 10277791 0000 1660 UNDERDRAIN FLAT GAP FILL2 3586322 0000 10277943 0000 1690 UNDERDRAIN DUTY SOUTH FORK 3586434 0000 10279069 0000 1580 WELL FLAT GAP V IN STREAM MONITORING SITES Required Stream Facility State Plane N State Plane E Code Name Quad UPSTREAM 3583262 0000 10278725 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP DOWNSTREAM 3589348 0000 10279489 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP DOWNSTREAM 3586474 0000 10279029 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP DOWNSTREAM 3586297 0000 10279299 0000 158 SOUTH FORK PO FLAT GAP VI RAINFALL MONITORING SITES Required State Plane N State Plane E 3586465 0000 10278895 0000 Facil
32. an destroy it Call trainer or Appalachian Voices quickly to report your test results Upload data pictures video to the AWW website Once facts are known call news media and appropriate regulatory agencies Continue to coordinate with your local AWW trainer and the Appalachian Voices Hiverkeeper Team 15 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal Taking It to the Watershed PART TWO HOW TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY HOW TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY CONDUCTIVITY pH TEMPERATURE TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS TDS HOW COAL MINING DISCHARGE CAN AFFECT MEASUREMENTS TAKING FIELD MEASUREMENTS INSTRUCTIONS STORAGE AND CARING FOR THE INSTRUMENT BETWEEN SAMPLING TRIPS POLAROID JUST ICE RECORDING THE DATA HOW TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY This chapter will explain which measurements you will monitor and why they are important indicators of watershed health Using the monitoring equipment provided to your local organization by Appalachian Voices you will measure and record conductivity pH temperature and total dissolved solids TDS at sites likely impacted by mining discharge Unlike other industries pollutant discharge from coal mines is often affected by rainfall Therefore mine runoff can vary depending on daily and seasonal weather conditions and must be monitored frequently By monitoring as volunteers we can ensure that mine operators are providing accurate reports and can identify where violations occur CONDUCTIVITY Conductivity is a
33. arge A discrete identifiable source of wastewater released into public waterways Usually in the case of coal mines this discharge is released through a pipe referred to as an outfall Heavy Metals Chemical elements that are classified as metals and have a high density These metals are often toxic such as lead or mercury Navigable waters A legal definition to determine control over a waterway The definition has been the subject of frequent legal debate Generally lakes rivers and small streams are considered navigable waters These waters are considered public property and are under the jurisdiction of the federal government Outfall The pipe from a coal mine sediment pond or other large water holding site that releases wastewater from the pond into the public waterway typically downhill of the pond pH A measurement indicating the acidity or alkalinity of a water sample or other liquid It is the concentration of hydrogen ions Sediment Pond A pond used to hold wastewater and allow sediment to settle out of the water before the water is discharged downstream In the case of coal mines these ponds are usually constructed by building earthen dams within an existing stream leaving the coal mine olurry Pond A natural or artificial pond used to allow solids such as coal dust to settle out of water used in the coal washing process before the water is discharged into public waterways Ponds usually also contain chemicals
34. as KPDES permits as well as discharge monitoring reports DMRs follows this flow chart Environmental Protection Agency Delegation of power to collect amp review coal industry general NPDES KY Dept of Delegation of power to Natural issue coal industry NPDES permits amp review individual permits mp KY Division of Mine Reclamation KY Dept of amp Enforcement Resources Environmental Protection APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal To find out more about requesting NPDES permits and DMRs in Kentucky see Appendix A In Virginia the delegation of NPDES permits sometimes called VPDES permits as well as DMRs follows this flow chart Delegation of power to issue collect and review coal industry Delegation of power NPDES permits to review and and DMRs enforce industry NPDES permits Energy Environmental Protection Agency Dept of Mines Minerals and Division of Dept of Mine Land Environmental Reclamation Quality To find out more about requesting NPDES permits and DMRs in Virginia see Appendix B UNDERST ANDING COAL INDUSTRY NPDES PERMITS There are two types of NPDES permits general permits and individual permits Each type has different requirements and different public review opportunities e n Kentucky most surface mining NPDES permits are general permits but in some special cases individual permits are used e n Virginia all surface mine NPD
35. been submitted Similarly you may find repeating patterns that you would not expect to find in the natural environment For example pH measurements may slowly increase through one set of three months then decrease sharply during the first month of the next quarter then slowly rise again This is not a natural phenomenon and may indicate false data Please see Appendix A for examples of DMRs with pollution violations If you test downstream from a nearby coal mining outfall and compile the data over several months or more you can obtain DMRs from the same time period and waterway to compare with your data Remember that your data and the data on DMRs will differ depending on when and where the measurements were taken but general comparisons can still be useful to identify major discrepancies If you find unusual data within a set of DMRs report your findings to the local AWW trainer Be sure to provide the trainer with copies of the DMRs or at the very least the relevant data values and appropriate identifying information including the mine name company and permit The trainer can help to verify your findings and report suspected problems to Appalachian Voices so that appropriate enforcement steps can be taken Obtaining DMHs for Review Most states have established a process for requesting public information In Kentucky use the Kentucky Open Records Act In Virginia use the Virginia Freedom of Information Act These acts require that
36. ch channel tunnel conduit well or APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal container In the Appalachian coalfields a point source can be an outlet from a slurry pond valley fill or processing plant pipe The NPDES has greatly reduced the impact of many existing discharges but it certainly has not eliminated point source water pollution In fact while most pollution discharges have come under greater control since the act was passed with a few approaching zero impact very few have actually been phased out Moreover thousands upon thousands of new discharges including many with significant impacts have been permitted This is especially true in the coal producing regions of West Virginia Kentucky Virginia and Tennessee The NPDES is most effective when citizens e Keep an eye on Clean Water Act goals e Understand how the NPDES and other CWA tools work together e Monitor watershed activities Pipe discharge from a surface coal mine e Play an active role in their ongoing Implementation Inthe absence of an ever vigilant public however the NPDES can produce results that do not support the CWA goals to protect public waterways DELEGATED PROGRAMS The EPA delegated primary NPDES program responsibility in most states to a state pollution control agency This is the case in Kentucky West Virginia Tennessee and Virginia In Kentucky the delegation of coal related NPDES permits sometimes referred to
37. citizen monitoring and pressure for coal company accountability the existing local state and federal policies will be implemented more effectively and new policies will be created for the improved protection of Appalachian waterways PROJECT OBJECTIVES The purpose of this citizen monitoring program is to educate and engage local volunteers to Understand and enforce Clean Water Act permitting and enforcement in their state Identify areas of contamination concern within their local watersheds Monitor mining hot spots by testing local water quality to identify possible Clean Water Act permit violations Make the information they collect regarding local watershed health publicly available Understand how their work is used to increase both coal company and government agency accountability APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal PROJECT BENEFITS This project s potential benefits range from local impacts to federal influences As a volunteer you will become more connected with the local waterways your drinking water supply the surrounding ecosystem and your community Protecting watersheds benefits the water quality aquatic communities and the surrounding biodiversity Independent citizen monitoring and review of pollutant discharge permits and reports puts pressure on state agencies to monitor review and enforce pollutant regulations Furthermore in the most extreme cases data collected may be used to pursue
38. copies of each document requested 10 a page __ 3 Enclosed Check L Money Order Cash LJ 4 Signalure Company Address Phone 5 Is requested information from a database or geographic information system Yes U No LJ 6 For commercial use Yes LJ LJ 7 If the answer to questions 5 amp 6 is yes the commercial purpose for which the requested information shall be used toc hereby certify thar the information set forth in item 7 is true and correct to the best of my knowledge Signature DISPOSITION 8 The following disposition was made of the above request Signature of Custodian Amount Received Agency Date DEP 0049 EXANPLE DMR FROM A KENTUCKY COAL MINE The following two pages are an actual DMR submitted to the Kentucky DMRE by Frasure Creek Mining in 2011 It is an example of what you will receive if you request DMRs The electronic format for the DMRs was instituted in 2010 Prior to 2010 handwritten forms were used The DMR contains useful data including Mine name Mine company Permit numbers Pond number Outfall number Date of submission Measured parameters white boxes Parameter limits grey boxes We have highlighted the measured parameters that exceed the stated permit limit on this example DMR Those measurements are considered violations of the permit and must be addressed by the mining company The measurements that exceed the stated limits include Total Suspended Solids T
39. ctivity electrodes They can be cleaned regularly with the small brush in the 24 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal cleaning kit A mild detergent can be used if deposits have formed on the electrodes The temperature probe the small metal rod near the bottom of the sensor should also be kept free of buildup using the small brush The pH bulb at the end of the probe can be cleaned with a soft cloth If necessary a dishwashing liquid can also be used Be sure to rinse the bulb with fresh water after cleaning with soap POLAROID JUSTICE When monitoring carry a camera with you to document any visual indicators of pollutant discharge Use a camera provided by your host organization your own digital camera or even your cell phone Photographs provide some of the most compelling documentation of coal mining s effects on Appalachia If you become aware of a major pollution event for example a slurry pond spill be sure to document the event and contact Appalachian Voices or your host organization You can report the event to Appalachian Voices anonymously if you wish and we can attempt to find another person to take additional photographs to submit Be sure to be able to provide as much detailed information on the nature of the event and the location as possible If you come across anything that appears out of the ordinary and can be documented by photo or video take the footage and submit it These photos can be made public th
40. d the rest of the Appalachian Voices Staff Thank you to Gayle Killam at the River Network for information provided through The Clean Water Act Owner s Manual Pe gt can WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE Appalachian Voices is a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance MEMBER APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal 1 Introduction Objectives and Mission PROJECT OVERVIEW PROJECT OBJECTIVES PROJECT BENEFITS PROJECT OVERVIEW The Appalachian Water Watch program is sponsored by Appalachian Voices which is responsible for training community partners both organizations and Individuals on how to use the manual and providing the supporting equipment These trainers are then able to instruct volunteers on manual and equipment use Appalachian Water Watch was created to protect the regions waterways from damage caused by the coal industry and to empower citizens to monitor permits and waterways and to enforce clean water laws Citizen monitoring provides an important first step in identifying possible water contamination and the sources of contamination Coal mining operations can damage Appalachian waterways by discharging acid mine drainage heavy metals other toxic chemicals and sediment The regulations meant to protect these waterways are not consistently or effectively enforced Because of this government agencies and citizens are often unaware of the pollutant types or amounts discharged from coal mines We hope that with
41. e to include the N and W This interactive map will show the satellite geographic picture of the location Important the specific location is indicated by a green arrow the lettered red marker indicates a nearby residence business or known point of interest 12 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal Google MapSC 37 23 23 N 83 08 24 W Get Directions My Maps 743 Balls Fork Rd Ary KY 41712 Directions Search nearby Save to map morev Example Google Maps search for DMR outfall of latitude 37 23 23 N and longitude 83 08 24 W indicated by the green arrow Red balloon maker with letter A marks a nearby mailing address on Rt 1087 and Balls Fork Rd The uphill clearing on the left is a surface coal mining site You can zoom in or out to find waterways that are downhill or downstream from the outfall Refer to the above instructions about Map mode Satellite mode and how to identify downhill and downstream waterways from coal mines The map will also show any state roads that you can use to access the nearby waterways affected by the outfall discharge STEP 2 WHERE YOU CAN TEST You will most likely not be able to test immediately below a coal mine or next to a targeted outfall However testing downstream or While driving to the downhill of a pollution source is extremely effective and test location keep a reliable Make sure you are on public land a public road lookout for polluted or
42. e causing entity In 2010 Appalachian Voices investigated the Discharge Monitoring Reports submitted by several coal mining companies in Eastern Kentucky After months of intense analysis the Watauga Riverkeeper team part of Appalachian Voices found that the coal companies had been copying and pasting DMR water quality data between reports This continued for several quarters over a 2 year period amounting to over 20 000 violations of the Clean Water Act Appalachian Voices partnered with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Kentucky Riverkeeper The Waterkeeper Alliance and PACE lawyers to bring a citizen lawsuit against the coal companies violations of the Clean Water Act This coalition of organizations represented their members who live in the watersheds that might be impacted from the false DMRs The legal case has not concluded yet however the coalition of organizations has successfully filed the citizen lawsuit in a Kentucky court and is suing for remediation to the impacted watersheds by the coal companies and increased oversight by the Kentucky Division of Water Major Clean Water Act violations can be brought to court by a citizen through a representative organization so long as he or she is a member if that organization Civil actions like the case brought by Appalachian Voices and its partners that can restore the integrity of our public waterways and communities in spite of minor or severe coal mining pollution 30 ACRONYMS
43. ed WANDS eugj ur peqriosep se s DIEUDSTD eoinos quod TTE OF pezraoqgjne ST seed aqq styl JO wield eu io puoq esegugg burjse jruied s ug3 Jo BATIDeTIe sya uo buruurbeq poraed ygq SEIE DejEeroosseE Juerd uorqjeaedeaud eo pue 4 uor3qeuxedeaud Boo DITIOS m u WOT DEUTEID Buru snoujbniioj io prog jo sebigmgosrg brIEQD5T Jo uorjdraosedg ONIHOLINOM ONW SHOILWVILIHI I LNAD IAAX OSOSE ON QOOO0FODAN jrIurisd Z I ebed I APPENDIX B VIRGINIA DMR REVIEW TOOLS VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FORM EXAMPLE DMR EXAMPLE INDIVIDUAL PERMT To request DMRs and NPDES permits please refer to the below table for contact Information The Virginia Freedom of Information Act can only be used by Virginia residents however non residents can usual obtain data through a simple written emailed request You can also review DMRs in the DMLR office free of charge Document VA Agency Form to Use Mail Request to Extra Contact Info Receiving the Request Discharge Division of VA Freedom VA DMLR Ph 276 523 8100 Monitoring Mine Land of Information 3405 Mountain Email dmlrinfo Report Reclamation Act form Empire Rd dmme virginia gov included Big Stone Gap VA 24219 4634 Coal Mine Division of VA Freedom VA DMLR Ph 276 523 8100 Individual Mine of Infor
44. ements on that day If this is the case log a new site report card for the appropriate location day and time but leave the water quality measurement fields blank Once you have filled in all the appropriate fields in the site report card page click Log Observations You will then be taken to the next page where you can upload a photo or a video If you need to upload a photo or video from a particular day after you have already logged your observations for the site report card you can go back to any of your entries through the Report Cards link under the Citizen Testing tab Clicking View Here next to your entry will take you back to the page where you can upload a photo or video You can also upload multiple photos or videos this way Please upload photos and videos that correspond with the date of testing In the Photographs or Videos entry box which both appear below your data entry map and measurement values give your submission a title and brief description in the appropriate boxes Use the Browse button to locate your photo or video on your computer or external device camera video camera etc then click Upload My Photo Video The photos videos are viewable on the Report Card page 28 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal Getting the Government to Do Its Job STOPPING AND CORRECTING PERMIT VIOLATIIONS CIVIL ENFORCEMENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION CITIZEN SUITS STOPPING AND
45. ent out with volunteers 4 Place the yellow round sponge soaked in water in the bottom of the grey cover first this will maintain a moist environment within the grey cover then place the grey cover over the probe and metal cover The rest of the probe temperature sensor and conductivity electrodes requires no special storage conditions Important Do NOT leave the instrument in hot cars This will cause the moisture on the probe to evaporate and the pH sensor to fail If the pH sensor dries out a new one must be purchased They are very expensive Pick up the instrument from the trainer at the beginning of the day and return it by the end of the day so it can be properly stored Calibrating the Instrument The trainer that is responsible for probe care and storage will handle calibrating the instrument regularly Conductivity and pH need to be calibrated but temperature and TDS do not Accuracy of the temperature reading can be verified with a second thermometer and a water bath We recommend that the instruments be calibrated at least once a month more often if possible and any time you suspect the instrument to be giving inaccurate readings You can check the last time calibration occurred and which calibrations were done by pressing the File button and selecting View GLP Calibration instructions can be found in Appendix C Cleaning The two holes near the top of the sensor nearest the cable house the condu
46. ermit CRIMINAL PROSECUTION The CWA and state water quality laws also contain criminal penalties for certain violations Criminal prosecution is reserved for severe violations but is becoming more common throughout the country Criminal violations are prosecuted by 20 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal United States Attorneys State Attorneys General or local District Attorneys in the county in which the violation occurred In determining whether to prosecute criminally most investigators and prosecutors determine if the violation was committed intentionally a Knowing violation or negligently and whether the violation resulted in damage to the environment However a violation need not be intentional to be subject to criminal prosecution nor must the extent of environmental damage necessarily be proven The most common criminal cases involve discharging without permits bypassing pollution control equipment or falsifying discharge monitoring reports submitted to the state or the EPA Corporations as well as individuals may be criminally prosecuted Criminal penalties may include substantial monetary fines as well as significant terms of imprisonment for individuals found guilty CITIZEN LAWSUIT The Clean Water Act grants private citizens the right to take independent enforcement actions for permit violations Any person or entity that is or could be adversely affected by a permit violation may bring suit against th
47. gister on the Appalachian Water Watch site You should complete registration at the AWW training session If you do not register at the training or have other problems with registration contact your trainer or email aww admin appvoices org Make sure that your trainer has your full name phone number and email address recorded at the training so there is documentation that you completed the training Once you have visited a monitoring location and obtained a set of measurements you can report them to Appalachian Voices and make them publically available through the Appalachian Water Watch website www appalachianwaterwatch org To file a report card go to the Citizen Testing tab and click on Submit Your Observations You will then be able to login with your username and the password When you have logged in you will see the Submit your Observations page with fields for each of the reporting parameters which are v Total Dissolved Solids TDS v Location v pH Y Date and time v Temperature v Weather including recent rainfall v Conductivity v Any other pertinent observations 26 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal LOGGING THE MONITORING LOCATION Please enter the latitude and longitude of your monitoring location in decimal form ex 37 49058 82 40394 and not in degrees minutes seconds 1 If you do not know the latitude and longitude you can find your location by using the interactive map on the webpage Use the
48. he data you collect provides valuable information about contaminated waterways and coal company permit noncompliance The regulatory state agency responsible for NPDES permits collects and reviews discharge monitoring reports DMR submitted by the coal company Most of the water monitoring that is reported in DMRs is conducted by the discharging coal industry State and federal officials make spot checks for NPDES permit limit violations often in response to public concerns or questions The NPDES self monitoring system DMRs is like you recording every time you broke the speed limit then submitting your violations to the police In the real world coal companies have falsified data not completed DMRs or submitted violations on reports without the state agency noticing and thus enforcing the law Failure to report properly and on time is a permit violation The state agency compiles DMR information and must make it available to the EPA and the public When violations are evident enforcement actions are in order however enforcement may not always occur due to missed violations or tardy reviews By increasing public monitoring we can identify concerns about specific discharge areas and increase state enforcement of discharge requirements REVIEWING DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS DMRs DMRs are part of the public record in each state therefore they are available for your review DMRs are useless unless the data within them is accura
49. ileName WtColor 1957309 1957409 A 1957409 1957409 1957409 1957409 1957409 1957409 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957110 1957210 1957210 1957210 1957210 1957210 1957210 1957210 1957310 1957310 1957310 1957310 1957310 1957310 1957410 1957410 1957410 1957410 1957410 1957410 WtFileName WtColor 50110 tx IR RES EXIT DMLR TMBR 08 DIVISION OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION PAGE 1 REE RES 06 02 11 MONITORING POINT DETAIL SUPPLEMENT RECORD 0002132 PERMIT 1102008 Application Approval Date 04 11 08 Application No 1004546 Former NPDES No Former CSMO No CSMO No 1102008 NPDES No 0082008 I APPLICANT INFORMATION Name PARAMONT COAL COMPANY VIRGINIA LLC Facility SOUTH FORK SURFACE MINE Address 5703 CRUTCHFIELD DRIVE Location 1 9 MILES SW OF POUND ON SOUTH FORK City NORTON State Plane North 3586000 0000 State V Zip 24273 State Plane East 10278000 0000 Telephone 276 679 7020 Total Acres 253 18 Operator RONALD B HALL Inspector COOMER KENNETH Type of Mining County Quadrangle Surface Area WISE FLAT GAP Receiving Stream Code Watershed Wtr Basin SOUTH FORK RIVER 158 RUSSELL FORK POUND RIVE RF34 BIG SANDY II CONTRACT LABORATORY SERVICES Laboratory Services will be performed by Laboratory Name ENV MONITORING INC EMI Address P O BOX 1190 City NORTON State VA Zip 24273 Phone 276 679 6544 Ex
50. ity POND 1 Example Fact Sheet Page 2 Sec Added Deleted Limit Stat 04 11 08 21 13 A 04 11 08 21 13 04 11 08 27 13 NC c Added Deleted Stat 04 11 08 06 09 10 04 11 08 w 04 11 08 w 12 04 09 10 gt gt gt gt A3deda Deleted Stat 04 11 08 04 11 08 w ws 04 11 08 ws 04 11 08 m m m m Added Deleted Stat 04 11 08 A Effluent Limitations Drainage Area Categories Minimum Precipitation Events Permit Number Outfall Source Description Drainage Effluent Flow pH Fe Fe Numbers Area Category DAC 6 9 3 0 3 5 Max 6 0 Max 7 0 Existing Acid Prep Plant 1 21 05 Existing Acid Pre Reclamation 1 21 05 SS Minimum Precipitation Max For Exemption 0 5 ML L ___ Coma _ ___ om NN ___ _ ___ om NN ___ ome ___ _ ___ oas _ ___ Come _ ___ _ ee NEN NN NNNM EL E EE a j wa mmm NEM mE NEN E um 0 2 Inches 0 2 Inches Precipitation Exemptions provide for the alternate monitoring requirements of flow pH and SS for each limitation code once the minimum precipitation amount and the applicable requirements of 40 CFR 434 are met All discharges except mine drainage are exempt from all requirements except flow and pH for events greater than the 10 year 24 hour storm Sampling and analysis must be perf
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52. ke sure that the waterway is legally and safely accessible Both the Map and Satellite modes will show the state roads that you can use to access the nearby waterways affected by coal mining activities 11 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal amp Print EJ Send es Link Satel lita To 2 I uw m Example Same Virginia mine location shown in the map mode of Google Maps This allows you to view contour lines and more easily locate water ways PERMITTED DISCHARGE LOCATIONS You can obtain DMRs from specific mines by requesting them from the state agencies detailed in Chapter 2 and Appendices A and B When choosing a DMR for citizen testing check the coal company testing dates on the report to ensure that the outfall is still in use The latitude and longitude of the permitted discharge outfall can be found on the DMR If this is missing use the internet mapping option above to locate the specific mine location Kentucky DMRs may indicate receiving waters for the permitted outfall Virginia receiving waters can be found onthe NPDES permit fact sheets Since these streams and rivers are directly indicated on the permit they are prime hot spots for testing Next you can use www maps google com to find the DMR outfall on an interactive map Enter the latitude and longitude in the search bar according to the format shown in the picture on the following page circled in red Make sur
53. liance States that the permittee must achieve compliance with the permit upon issuance and exceptions to this requirement e Monitoring and Reporting Contains specifics for monitoring locations documentation of those locations when monitoring should occur and when reporting must occur e Definitions Defines terms used throughout the report including definitions of different types of discharge different coal mine areas and facilities and different precipitation events e Additional Requirements Defines additional information that must be provided by permittee and additional permitting that may be necessary e Operations Automatically Excluded from General Permit Coverage Lists what activities cannot be covered under the general permit e Best Management Practices Explains the permittee s plan to prevent or minimize pollutant discharge STQEITTddy JON w N UOTIETASIQgE FUL SI IEI3no SWESTISSISEA TO SISTEM BY ITM BUTXTU io of 07 J3urod SLQTSSea00e UOTjEOOT burMOT TOI aqq 39 uae TTEUE PanpqE pD rIrpads sqQueueairnbeor DuTrTIO3Tuo By uj aeougeryrduoo u uexgj soa Tdmes gS23BI UEYJ Tey 0 UT STQTSTA IO sprros IO ou eq PIIL SINOU JO jTun PIEPUEIS O T JEU aromu BIENINTS ueaijs PuTAT D 81 By Jo Hd BY esne
54. lic right of ways so there is no danger of trespassing You can lower the probe into the water holding it by the cable from a bridge Remember to be vigilant of traffic 3 Prepare the probe The metal cover is very important it protects the pH bulb from damage while testing or calibrating Grey protective cover for probe Metal protective cover for probe remove before sampling must remain on probe during sampling Attach the end of the cable to the bottom of the Professional Plus body Remove the probe from its grey protective cover The probe should be moist upon removal It is critical to always keep the bulb at the end of the probe moist otherwise it will stop working Make sure the cylindrical metal cover is 20 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal screwed in place this protects the fragile pH sensor from breaking The grey cover fits over the metal cover when you are not sampling in order to keep the pH bulb from drying out When you are done taking a measurement the damp probe should be rinsed with tap water from a bottle you carry with you and placed back into the grey protective cover until you are ready to sample again 4 Take your measurements Turn the device on using the green power button With the metal Cover in place submerge the probe into the water so that it is fully submerged past the two black holes at the top of the probe nearest the cable Allow the readings to Stabilize before recording
55. ll record temperature in degrees Fahrenheit F 17 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS TDS Total dissolved solids TDS is the measure of all dissolved substances ina water sample These substances include anything that can t be filtered through a sieve what can be filtered is referred to as total suspended solids Like conductivity TDS itself is not necessarily a pollutant but can indicate the presence of pollutants Too much sediment in the water can smother fish gills or clog aquatic habitats Watersheds have naturally occurring dissolved solids but mine runoff can carry toxic sediments and solids Increases from a normal stream TDS amounts may indicate the addition of pollutants from a nearby mine You will record TDS in milligrams per liter mg L The EPA does not currently have guidelines for TDS measurements in Central Appalachia The monitoring instruments calculate TDS based on the conductivity ratings so we have created the scale below based on the EPA conductivity standard Please monitor your local watersheds for large changes in TDS eo a s tp pp j 100 200 300 400 300 000 r00 TDS mg L HOW COAL MINING DISCHARGE CAN AFFECT MEASUREMENTS Coal mines can discharge sulfate and bicarbonate salts which increase both conductivity and TDS The oxidation of pyrite which is found in coal and rock waste produces sulfate This sulfate breaks down releases hydrogen ions and resul
56. mation 3405 Mountain Email dmlrinfo Permit Reclamation Act form Empire Rd dmme virginia gov included Big Stone Gap VA 24219 4634 OME e ot e Mines Minerals Request for Records Under Virginia Freedom of Information Act Please print clearly in ink or type the information needed to submit a request for records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act FOIA Name Date Organization Please describe as specifically as possible the type of information you are requesting For what specific county or site is the information needed If applicable I understand that the requested permit application 1s currently under review and has not yet been approved Please return to Signature Address Telephone FOR OFFICE USE ONLY COMPLETED BY Date DMME IR I Revised May 2007 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal EXAMPLE DMR DATA FROM A VIRGINIA COAL MINE In order to review DMRs you need three pieces of information e DMR Data e NPDES Permit Fact Sheets e Effluent Limitations Sheets There are examples of each of these sheets on the pages following this explanation The included DMR data spreadsheet is a compilation of 3 years of data submitted by Paramont Coal Company for the South Fork Surface Mine The Company ID field indicates the outfall number is O01 The pond name or number is assigned by the coal company The outfall number can also be found on the Fact Sheet The data is submitted t
57. mine discharge so only individual permits are used in Virginia The individual NPDES permit and permit application are often part of a much larger Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act SMCRA permit for Virginia mines which can make these documents difficult to locate for review Follow your initial request with additional emails to create written records of your requests Persistence is crucial The permits begin with several pages called Fact Sheets These pages contain Important information including the mine name mine location NPDES permit number the waterways receiving the discharge and names or numbers corresponding to the discharging ponds The permit will also usually have several pages of standard provisions at the end that are often used repeatedly with each new permit When reviewing permits dont skip this language This section of the permit can include crucial requirements APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal TAKING ACTION WITHIN THE NPDES SYSTEM The Clean Water Act provides for public comment and involvement in the NPDES permitting process As a participant in water quality protection with Appalachian Water Watch you can monitor permit compliance and existing DMRs This is often the most effective way to catch a coal company violating the law MONITORING WATER QUALITY AND PERMIT COMPLIANCE Reviewing permit compliance is a major objective of the citizen monitoring program with Appalachian Water Watch T
58. n the screen back light and navigate the on screen display STORAGE AND CARING FOR THE INSTRUMENT BETWEEN SAMPLING TRIPS Storing the pH Sensor VERY IMPORTANT Important The pH bulb should never be allowed to dry out Keep the end of the probe with the pH sensor bulb stored in the small bottle of pH 4 0 buffer solution for long term storage Before lending the instrument to a volunteer remove the end of the probe from the buffer solution and attach the metal cover and grey plastic sleeve over the probe using the instructions on the following page Small bottle filled with pH 4 buffer solution for pH bulb storage 225 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal PROBE PREPARATION FOR SAMPLING 1 Remove the end of the probe from the pH buffer bottle it is stored in by unscrewing the top of the bottle and keeping the top on the probe Be careful not to spill the buffer solution as you will want to place the probe back in the solution when the instrument is returned to you at the end of the day There is an extra bottle cap in of the pockets of the carrying case you can use to seal the bottle and keep it at home while the Instrument goes out for sampling 2 Slide off the black o ring and bottle top from the probe Be careful not to lose the o ring from the hole in top of the storage cap 3 Important Place the metal probe cover found in the carrying case over the probe and screw in place before sending the instrum
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60. o the DMLR each quarter and compiled into spreadsheets You can view this data by either requesting that the DMLR send an Excel spreadsheet of DMR data from the specific mine you are interested in or you can view this data on the customer computer in the DMLR office The Coal Surface Mining Operation CSMO permit number found on the large signs outside coal mine entrance roads is the best number to use when requesting information from the DMLR The spreadsheet may look a little daunting at first but is actually fairly straightforward The columns of information you will want to review are those parameters that are required under the NPDES permit These include Flow iron Tss not tSs pH Manganese e ds The DMR data spreadsheet does not include permit limits as these can vary depending on the type of pond and the watershed in which it is located This is why you need the Fact Sheet and the Effluent Limitations sheets We have included the two most useful pages from the Fact Sheet for the South Fork Surface Mine Page 1 includes the company name mine name mine location receiving waterways NPDES number and CSMO permit number Page 3 contains a section title Ill NPDES Discharge Sites This list contains each of the outfalls for sediment ponds included under the NPDES permit for this mine Under this section the following useful information is included Outfall Number Facility indicates the pond name Location
61. onmental Protection Agency EPA the authority to establish and enforce regulations in order to achieve the goals of the CWA In turn the EPA often delegates enforcement responsibilities to state agencies Citizens can be an important part of enforcing the CWA SECTION 402 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT NATIONAL POLLUT ANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM NPDES The CWA provides control for water pollution through authorization of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPDES This regulates point source discharges of pollution into the Nation s waters Discharge is a technical term for the released water from an unnatural source The NPDES program requires all point source discharges such as outfalls from coal mines or chemical plants to have a pollution permit This basic principle is the foundation of water pollution prevention and control in the United States Generally anyone who releases pollutants from a point source without a Clean Water Act permit is breaking the law however it is legal to discharge pollutants if you have a valid permit and comply with its terms Citizen involvement is important in all phases of the permit process You don t have to be a lawyer to make a difference but understanding the system s basics is a valuable skill The system defines point source pollution as any discernible confined and discrete conveyance of pollutants to a waterway The definition of discrete conveyance can mean any pipe dit
62. ormed if a discharge even one occurs during any given monitoring period Unless otherwise noted all samples shall be collected at least seven 7 days apart Revision Date 4 4 08 Effective Date 4 16 08 Effluent Limitations Drainage Area Categories Minimum Precipitation Events Permit Number Outfall Source Description Drainage Effluent Flow pH Fe Fe 55 TDS Minimum Precipitation Numbers Area Category DAC Lusit N L 6 9 Avg 3 0 Avg 3 5 Avg 2 0 Max For Exemption Max6 0 Max70 40 0 5 ML L MGIL Existing Acid Prep Plant 1 30 05 i i 0 2 Inches Existing Acid Pre Reclamation 1 30 05 mr e um was New Alkaline Commingled 1 30 14 0 2 Inches New or Existing Reclamation Area 5 30 19 Not Applicable Precipitation Exemptions provide for the alternate monitoring requirements of flow pH and SS for each limitation code once the minimum precipitation amount and the applicable requirements of 40 CFR 434 are met All discharges except mine drainage are exempt from all requirements except flow and pH for events greater than the 10 year 24 hour storm Sampling and analysis must be performed if a discharge even one occurs during any given monitoring period Unless otherwise noted all samples shall be collected at least seven 7 days apart ekekeke terekre T EEE keer L3 Po E LE 14 L4 1 14 x Jt px ee es NEN
63. otal Recoverable Iron Total Recoverable Manganese and pH Measurements are given for both the maximum measurement recorded during the month and the average value over the course of the month Exceedances can occur in the monthly average daily maximum or both In the case of pH measurements values must fall between 6 0 SU and 9 0 SU any measurement above or below that range is considered a violation When you review DMRs you should look for instances where the measurements exceed the stated limit You can also check DMRs for missing data Sometimes the outfall will be listed as No Flow with a Y for yes in the adjacent box which indicates no water was flowing at the time of sampling so no measurements were taken This does not indicate a violation Lastly you can compare multiple DMRs from the same pond and outfall for repeated data In some cases Appalachian Voices has found instances where a mine company has reported repeated measurements from one yearly quarter to the next for example data from January 2010 has been identical to the data submitted for the first month of the following quarter April 2010 Bu I Sun a5oupbunppy of aie aie ae ake ake ake om EPAL a qeJaAo230 121 siz Eg EW spios 1 papuadsns 2701 OQ9E0 O 0D9ED O Suns Pal ajduies 10 AUENG JINIWEEJ Lu p JET
64. r pH is 6 0 9 0 Changes in pH can have many associated negative effects more acidic water can increase the release of dissolved metals in the water many substances become Acid mine drainage or more toxic with changes in pH and many forms of extremely acidic streams aquatic life are unable to live in water that varies greatly are typically a bright from a neutral pH Besides affecting aquatic life acidic neon orange color water can damage man made structures such as bridges another testing hot spot pipes and wells and may contaminate drinking water supplies If you find pH measurements that are greater than 9 0 or less than 6 0 the reported value will indicate to Appalachian Voices that a problem area exists and needs to be further investigated and reported pH measurements between 6 0 9 0 indicate the baseline pH conditions for that stream Continued monitoring of this area will further allow you to note changes that may occur as factors such as mine activity and rainfall release new pollutant discharges TEMPERATURE Water temperature is an important factor because it directly affects aquatic life and the chemical characteristics of a waterway Changes in temperature can affect the solubility of solids including heavy metals and can make some compounds more toxic Temperature also affects the solubility of gases such as dissolved oxygen an important factor in stream suitability for fish and other aquatic life You wi
65. rough the Appalachian Water Watch website RECORDING THE DATA Obtaining water quality measurements is an important initial step in protecting your watersheds but you must also make these measurements public Appalachian Water Watch provides an easy way for you to make your data publicly available so this data can be used for ensuring safe clean water in your community Read on to Chapter 5 Making It Public Online Reporting to learn how to report your water quality data photos and videos 25 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal Making It Public Online Reporting PART THREE EXPOSING HOW COAL AFFECTS APPALACHIAN WATERWAYS FILING AN ONLINE SITE REPORT CARD LOGGING THE MONITORING LOCATION REPORTING DATA UPLOADING PICTURES AND VIDEOS Using the Appalachian Water Watch website you can make your data photos and videos available to anyone around the world Publicizing the negative effects of poor coal mining practices is an important step in changing the laws that regulate those practices Furthermore data posted on the website alerts Appalachian Voices of where problems occur and provides valuable data to compare to company supplied DMRs If you cannot access the internet please contact the community partner organization to help you upload your findings FILING AN ONLINE SITE REPORT CARD Before you can submit observations you must register as a site user Only volunteers who take the training will be allowed to re
66. te and values that exceed permit limits are found and acted upon Often DMRs are collected but not reviewed by state agencies Therefore citizen review of DMRs can be an effective way to bust big polluters for Clean Water Act violations APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal When reviewing DMRs look for Multiple limit violations Repeated data values between different months Unusual patterns you would not expect to see in the natural environment Large discrepancies between water quality monitoring data you have collected and the data reported in DMRs Coal companies are required to report values that exceed permit limits and take appropriate steps to correct the problem Sometimes limit violations are repeatedly reported and not corrected because no one notices the reported violation In Kentucky permit limits are listed on the DMR in Virginia the permit limits are indicated on Effluent Limitations sheets In Kentucky DMRs are submitted quarterly so each report contains three months of data In Virginia reports are usually submitted quarterly but the DMLR will provide all requested data in a single spreadsheet not divided by quarters sometimes you may find that data from one quarter or month repeats in a future quarter or month This may indicate that the company has forgotten to fill in updated data for the current month or that fraudulent data has been submitted either way the finding indicates that inaccurate data has
67. ts in acid mine drainage AMD AMD can lower the pH of freshwater potentially making the water too acidic for aquatic life and for human consumption Common heavy metals from mine discharge include manganese iron mercury and lead which are all toxic to aquatic life at high levels Donna and Kara testing road side acid mine drainage from a Kentucky surface mine site using the YSI Pro Plus probe The pH measured 3 2 a toxic environment for aquatic life and human use 18 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal TAKING FIELD MEASUREMENTS Appalachian Voices will provide community organizations throughout Central Appalachia with a YSI Professional Plus Pro Plus instrument to monitor water quality The Pro Plus measures pH temperature and conductivity and calculates TDS based on temperature and conductivity A trainer within the organization should be in charge of the instrument the manual and the calibration solutions If you are testing in an area that you do not know well or are unsure of the testing conditions bring another volunteer Working in teams of two people or more can decrease testing time and make sampling much more safe Equipment List YSI Profession Plus 6051030 x cable 1001 pH probe Cable spool User Manual Laminated Quick Start Guide Cleaning kit grease for o ring lubrication brush for cleaning etc Small bottle of pH 4 solution for sensor storage Carrying case 3 bottles of 4 0
68. v 502 564 2340 Coal Mine Division of Kentucky DOW Morgan Elliston Individual Water Open 200 Fair Oaks dowopenrecords Permit Records Ln 4 Floor ky gov Act Frankfort KY 502 564 3410 DOW 40601 It may be worth contacting the DMRE for individual permits and DMRs from the permits as well You can also review permits and DMRs in person at the regional offices Middlesboro Madisonville Pikeville 1804 East Cumberland Ave 625 Hospital Dr 121 Mays Branch Rd Middlesboro KY Madisonville KY Pikeville KY 40965 1229 42431 1683 41501 9331 Phone 606 248 6166 Phone 207 824 7536 Phone 606 433 7726 London Prestonsburg State Office Building 3 Floor 3140 South Lake Dr Suite 6 London KY 40741 9011 Prestonsburg KY 41653 1410 Phone 606 330 2090 Phone 606 889 1746 COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY REQUEST TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS DATE COMPANY ADDRESS TELEPHONE NO Signature of Custodian SIGNATURE PROCEDURES 1 Complete all information requested on form 2 Is requested information a From a database or geographic information system YES NO b For Commercial use YES J NO O 3 Ifthe answer to question 2b is YES the commercial purpose for which the requested information shall be used 15 4 All files MUST be returned to file room personnel by 4 15 on day of inspection 5 Copying charges ure as follows IO cents per page b MAPS Engineering Bond paper 33
69. ways can be considered hot spots Also waterways that are downhill or downstream of outfalls indicated in Discharge Monitoring Reports DMRs are reliable test locations This is due to their physical connection to coal mining operations and the current operational status of the coal mine To review DMRs and how to obtain and monitor them see Chapter 2 Sometimes the best way to fina a testing site is by word of INTERNET MAPPING IN YOUR COMMUNITY mouth Internet mapping is by S no means the best or only way The Google Maps interactive mapping to find a monitoring location application is a great tool to find testing sites downhill or downstream from a mine site Go to www maps google com Make sure the application is in Satellite mode see photo on the following page You can search for your home town or home address if you live near a mining operation or for the specific mine address The 10 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Busting Big Coal address or location you enter in the search bar will be marked by a red lettered balloon on the map circled in yellow below Google Maps Pine Branch Mine Rd Wise County VA gt Search Maps Get Directions My Maps lt Print Send es Link d We Found Branch Mine Current Phone Address Age amp More Instant amp Accurate Branch Mine www intelius com Pine Branch Mine Rd 1 VA 24216 Directions Search nearby Save to map morev d Wise County M Wise county Should Congress
70. within a public waterway when testing ensuring you are streams or pools of not trespassing on the coal company s property or other water near the mine private property unless the landowner has given explicit permission After identifying a stream creek or river that clearly receives water from the coal mine or DMR outfall check that it is safe to access before testing in the field 13 APPALACHIAN WATER WATCH Dusting Dig Coal DEFINITION OF STATE AND FEDERAL WATERS Citizen testing is most effective when implemented in waterways that are defined by the state and the federal Clean Water Act Navigable waters are federally protected under the Clean Water Act and include temporary permanent or standing waterways that form geographic features U S citizens are legally allowed to travel within and test any U S navigable water as long as the citizen is not trespassing Traveling within a waterway and then accessing private land onshore is considered trespassing Testing from a bridge Volunteers are legally allowed to access a stream or river via public bridges state or federal roads and travel up or downstream to test the water The Appalachian Water Watch program highly encourages volunteers to choose testing locations that are safe and easily accessible Do not test in locations that pose any physical or legal risks Data obtained illegally for example by trespassing cannot be used as legal Do Not

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