ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

EPA-R03-OW-2009-0985 

Technical Support Document 

Proposed Determination to Prohibit, Restrict, or Deny the Specification, or the Use 

for Specification, of an Area as a Disposal Site; Spruce No. 1 Surface Mine, Logan 

County, West Virginia 

The following information was relied upon, in addition to other information identified in 

the List of References, to compile and support the Environmental Protection Agency 

Region III's (EPA) Proposed Determination on the Spruce No. 1 Surface Mine, Logan 

County, West Virginia.

Aquatic Life

Macroinvertebrates 

Macroinvertebrates are diverse in the Spruce No. 1 project area as evidenced by the 

following tables. In 1999-2000, EPA collected eighty-five (85) distinct 

macroinvertebrate genera in riffle complexes of Pigeonroost Branch and Oldhouse 

Branch but only 56 genera in the nearby Dal-Tex site. An even larger disparity was 

found between the number of more sensitive EPT (mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies) 

where the Spruce project area had 42 EPT genera and Dal-Tex only had 12 genera (Table 

1). 

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) are a diverse, important and sensitive component of the 

macroinvertebrate assemblage. Table 2 indicates the number of mayfly genera known to 

occur in the streams on the proposed project area. These data are from combined reports 

in the Spruce No. 1 EIS, EPA database, and the WVDEP database. The data show that 

Oldhouse, Pigeonroost, and Seng Camp collectively yielded 21 genera of mayflies. The 

frequency of occurrence of these mayfly genera across 20 WV mine sites where 

conductivity is > 500 μS/cm is presented for comparison, in order to predict the effect of 

mining on these aquatic organisms. These comparisons show that the frequency of 

occurrence of these taxa at mined sites is low or zero. For example, Ameletus, which has 

been collected in Oldhouse and Pigeonroost, was collected at only 10% of the mined 

sites. 

As many as 9 genera have been collected in Oldhouse Branch in any one season-specific 

sample, with an average of 7 genera across multiple samples. This former observation 

ranks in the 95th percentile of all samples taken in from the Central Appalachian 

ecoregion (937 samples) by WVDEP. That means that less than 5% of all other streams 

in this ecoregion have had higher mayfly taxa richness than Oldhouse Branch. 

Stoneflies (Plecoptera) also represent an important group of aquatic insects in the 

structure and functioning of stream ecosystems. Table 3 shows data compiled from EPA, 

WVDEP, and the permittee’s consulting firms which show that Oldhouse, Pigeonroost, 

and Seng Camp collectively yielded 16 genera of stoneflies. Oldhouse and Pigeonroost 

1
combined had 11 genera. 

A single collection in Oldhouse (Spring 2000) had 9 genera of stoneflies which ranks 

greater than the 98th percentile of all Central Appalachian streams sampled by WVDEP 

(937 samples). This means that only 2% of stream samples in this ecoregion had more 

stonefly genera than Oldhouse within a single sampling event. Frequency of occurrence 

of particular stonefly genera across 20 similar mine sites is also presented for 

comparison. Again, these comparisons show that many of the genera comprising this 

stonefly community will likely be extirpated from the streams after mining. 

 

2
Table 1. EPA data from 1999-2000 comparing macroinvertebrate taxa from Spruce No. 

1 project and adjacent Dal-Tex mine. 

 

Oldhouse+Pigeonroost Beech+Left Fork Beech

Order Family Genus Spruce No. 1 Dal-Tex Mine

Oligochaeta Oligochaet

Nematoda

a

Nematoda

Oligochaeta X X Nematoda

Proseriat ela Plagiostom ae X ao

Tricladida

id

Planariidae

Hydrolimax X Planariidae X Basommatophora

Basommatophora

Lymnaeidae

Physidae

Lymnaeidae

Basommatophora

X Physella

Planorbida X e

Dryopid

Helisoma X

Coleoptera

Coleoptera

ae

Elmidae

Helichus

Coleoptera Elmidae

X Dubiraphia

Coleoptera Elmidae

X Macronychus

Coleoptera Elmidae

X Microcylloepus

Coleoptera Elmidae

X Optioservus

Coleoptera

X X Oulimnius

Coleopter

X X Psephenidae

Psephenida

Ectopria

a

Decapo

e

Cambaridae

X Psephenus X X da Cambarus

Diptera

Diptera

X Ceratopogonidae

Ceratopogonidae

Atrichopogon

Diptera Ceratopogonid e

X Bezzia/Palpomyia X X

a X X Diptera Chironomidae Acricotopus X

Diptera Chironomidae Chaetocladius X X

Diptera Chironomidae Corynoneura X X Diptera Chironomidae Cricotopus X X Diptera Chironomidae Diamesa X X

Diptera Chironomidae Eukiefferiella X X Diptera Chironomidae Metriocnemus X

Diptera Chironomidae Micropsectra X X

Diptera Chironomidae Microtendipes X Diptera Chironomidae Orthocladius X X Diptera Chironomidae Parachaetocladius X

Diptera Chironomidae Parametriocnemus X X Diptera Chironomidae Paraphaenocladius X Diptera Chironomidae Paratanytarsus X

Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum X X Diptera Chironomidae Rheotanytarsus X X Diptera Chironomidae Smittia X Diptera Chironomidae Stempellinella X Diptera Chironomidae Stenochironomus X Diptera Chironomidae Stilocladius X Diptera Chironomidae Sympotthastia X Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus X Diptera Chironomidae Thienemanniella X Diptera Chironomidae Thienemannimyia X X

Diptera Chironomidae Tvetenia X X Diptera Chironomidae Zavrelimyia X Diptera Empididae Chelifera/Metachela X X Diptera Empididae Clinocera X Diptera Empididae Hemerodromia X Diptera Simuliidae Prosimulium X

Diptera Simuliidae Simulium X X Diptera Tabanidae Tabanidae X Diptera Tipulidae Antocha X

Diptera Tipulidae Cryptolabis X

Diptera Tipulidae Dicranota X Diptera Tipulidae Hexatoma X

Diptera Tipulidae Limnophila X Diptera Tipulidae Limonia X X Diptera Tipulidae Pseudolimnophila X

Diptera Tipulidae Tipula X X Ephemeroptera Ameletidae Ameletus X Ephemeroptera Baetidae Acentrella X

Ephemeroptera Baetidae Baetis X X Ephemeroptera Baetiscidae Baetisca X Ephemeroptera Ephemerellidae Drunella X Ephemeroptera Ephemerellidae Ephemerella X

Ephemeroptera Ephemerellidae Eurylophella X Ephemeroptera Ephemeridae Ephemera X Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Cinygmula X Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Epeorus X Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Stenacron X Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Maccaffertium X Ephemeroptera Isonychiidae Isonychia X X Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Paraleptophlebia X Megaloptera Corydalidae Corydalus X

Megaloptera Corydalidae Nigronia X X Odonata Aeshnidae Boyeria X Odonata Gomphidae Lanthus X X Plecoptera Capniidae Capniidae X Plecoptera Chloroperlidae Haploperla X Plecoptera Leuctridae Leuctra X

Plecoptera Nemouridae Amphinemura X X

Plecoptera Nemouridae Ostrocerca X Plecoptera Nemouridae Prostoia X

Plecoptera Peltoperlidae Peltoperla X

Plecoptera Perlidae Acroneuria X Plecoptera Perlodidae Isoperla X Plecoptera Perlodidae Remenus X

Plecoptera Perlodidae Yugus X Plecoptera Pteronarcyidae Pteronarcys X

Plecoptera Taeniopterygidae Taenionema X Plecoptera Taeniopterygidae Taeniopteryx X X Trichoptera Glossosomatidae Agapetus X Trichoptera Glossosomatidae Glossosoma X

Trichoptera Goeridae Goera X

Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Ceratopsyche X Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche X X

Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Diplectrona X X

Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche X X Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Hydroptila X Trichoptera Limnephilidae Pycnopsyche/Hydatophylax X Trichoptera Philopotamidae Chimarra X X Trichoptera Philopotamidae Dolophilodes X

Trichoptera Polycentropodidae Polycentropus X

Trichoptera Psychomyiidae Psychomyia X X Trichoptera Rhyacophilidae Rhyacophila X X Trichoptera Uenoidae Neophylax X

Tricladida Planariidae Planariidae X

Total Distinct Taxa 85 56

Total EPT Genera 42 12

Dasyhelea

3
Table 2. Presence/absence of mayfly genera in the permit area. 

Family Genus Oldhouse Pigeonroost Seng Camp

Frequency of Occurrence @ 

uS/cm*

 >500 

Ameletidae

Baetidae

Baetidae

Baetidae

Baetidae

Baetiscidae

Caenidae

Ephemerellidae

Ephemerellidae

Ephemerellidae

Ephemerellidae

Ephemerellidae

Ephemeridae

Heptageniidae

Heptageniidae

Heptageniidae

Heptageniidae

Heptageniidae

Isonychiidae

Leptophlebiidae

Leptophlebiidae

Ameletus

Acentrella

Baetis

Diphetor

Procloeon

Baetisca

Caenis

Attanella

Dannella

Drunella

Ephemerella

Eurylophella

Ephemera

Cinygmula

Epeorus

Heptagenia

Maccaffertium

Stenacron

Isonychia

Choroterpes

Paraleptophlebia

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

10%

15%

35%

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

0%

15%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

Note: Siphlonurus and Pseudocloeon reported by Sturm Env. are likely erroneous identifications. These genera

have been excluded from this list. * Based on samples from 20 MTM/VF sites Pond et al. (2008)

0%

NA

NA

Table 3. Presence/absence of stonefly genera in the permit area. 

Order Family Genus Oldhouse Pigeonroost Seng Camp

Frequency of Occurrence @ 

>500 uS/cm*

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Plecoptera

Capniidae

Chloroperlidae

Chloroperlidae

Chloroperlidae

Leuctridae

Nemouridae

Nemouridae

Nemouridae

Peltoperlidae

Perlidae

Perlodidae

Perlodidae

Perlodidae

Pteronarcyidae

Taeniopterygidae

Taeniopterygidae

Allocapnia

Alloperla

Haploperla

Sweltsa

Leuctra

Amphinemura

Ostrocerca

Paranemoura

Peltoperla

Acroneuria

Isoperla

Remenus

Yugus

Pteronarcys

Taenionema

Taeniopteryx

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

0%

10%

0%

20%

80%

0%

NA

10%

10%

25%

5%

0%

5%

0%

5%

Note: Podmosta, Paraleuctra, Megaleuctra, and Beloneuria reported by 

identifications. These genera been excluded from this list.

* Based on samples from 20 MTM/VF sites Pond et al. (2008)

Sturm Env. are likely erroneous

0%

EPA conservatively excluded two mayfly genera from Table 2 which were identified by 

the permittee’s consultant. Siphlonurus is exceedingly rare in this ecoregion and can be 

confused with Ameletus, a much more common inhabitant. EPA believes the 

identification may have been in error. Also, older taxonomic sources placed 

Pseudocloeon as Acentrella (formerly of the genus Baetis), and was eventually placed in 

the genus Labiobaetis. This genus does not frequent headwater streams like those in 

Oldhouse, Pigeonroost, and Seng Camp. EPA believes that it is most probable that 

4
previous records of Pseudocloeon are in fact, Acentrella. 

EPA conservatively excluded four stonefly genera from Table 3 which were identified by 

the permittee’s consultant. Podmosta is primarily a western U.S. genus, with only one 

species that occurs in eastern Canada. EPA believes this identification is in error. Also, 

Megaleuctra (while this would be an important, rare sighting) occurs in the eastern part 

of the state and is not recorded from this ecoregion. Similarly, Beloneuria is not known 

to occur in this ecoregion, but can be confused with the more common Acroneuria in 

early life stages. While Paraleuctra can occur in the study area, this genus is most often 

captured as adults while nymphs are exceedingly rare in benthic samples. We 

conservatively excluded this genus from the list of stonefly genera found within the 

Spruce No. 1 project area. 

Furthermore, Tables 2 and 3 may understate the diversity and quality of the mayfly and 

stonefly population in Oldhouse Branch, Pigeonroost Branch and Seng Camp Creek since 

the collection methods were not intended to provide a complete inventory of taxa. 

5
Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 

States routinely use macroinvertebrate assemblage data to assess their narrative water 

quality standards and to determine support of aquatic life uses. WVDEP uses a familylevel multi metric index called the WV Stream Condition Index or WVSCI. 

The WVSCI uses six (6) component metrics to summarize and analyze family-level 

macroinvertebrate taxa lists. The six metrics are total number of EPT (Ephemeroptera, 

Plecoptera and Trichoptera or maflies, stoneflies and caddisflies) taxa, total number of 

taxa, % of organisms that are EPT, % of organisms that are Chironomidae (midges), the 

% of organisms in the top two dominant taxa, and the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index. All 

metrics are computed at the family-level with a 200 fixed count subsample. The metrics 

are scored against Best Standard Values (BSVs) for the entire dataset, as a % of the BSV 

and normalized to a score of 100. The average of all six metrics makes up the final 

WVSCI score. Simply put, the lower the score, the more degraded the macroinvertebrate 

assemblage. Index scores > 68 indicate full support of the aquatic life use. 

For more information on the WVSCI, go to http://www.wvdep.org/Docs/536_WVIndex.pdf. 

EPA sampled several streams within the Spruce Fork watershed for the Mountaintop 

Mining/Valley Fill Programmatic Environmental Impact Study (MTM/VF PEIS) (Green 

et al. 2000; Bryant et al. 2002). These data indicate that the unmined streams within and 

near the project area, including White Oak Branch, Oldhouse Branch and Pigeonroost 

Branch, were high quality streams that fully support the aquatic life use, based on the 

benthic macroinvertebrate (Table 4) and water quality (Table 5) data. The streams 

located in the historically MTM/VF mined areas located nearby (Rockhouse Branch, 

Beech Creek, and the Left Fork of Beech Creek) were impaired. These data indicate that 

the aquatic life in streams on the project area (i.e., Oldhouse Branch and Pigeonroost 

Branch) will likely be degraded to the conditions exhibited in the Beech Creek and 

Rockhouse sub-watersheds after they are mined. 

6
Table 4. WVSCI scores for streams on and near the proposed project area. (USEPA 

MTM PEIS Study Green et al. 2000). WVSCI scores > 68 indicate full support of the 

aquatic life use. 

Stream 

Classification 

Stream Name Spring 

1999 

Summer 

1999 

Fall 

1999 

Winter 

2000 

Spring 

2000 

 

UNMINED White Oak 

Branch 

87 ** ** 67.8 90.2 

UNMINED Oldhouse 

Branch 

94.9 78.6 ** 91.4 90.2 

MINED* Pigeonroost 

Branch 

86.5 80.8 88.8 94.2 82.6 

FILLED Rockhouse 

Creek 

48.2 54.7 69.4 50.6 51.6 

FILLED Beech Creek 55.9 48.6 58.3 48.7 48.6 

FILLED Left Fork of 

Beech Creek 

56.4 59.8 ** ** 37.6 

 

* Pigeonroost Branch has some limited mining (no valley fills) in the headwaters region 

of the watershed. 

** Low Flow Conditions - Unable to Collect a Representative Sample 

Table 5 indicates average values for selected water quality parameters for the streams on 

the proposed project area and for the nearby mined streams. The data indicate water 

quality degradation at the mined sites compared to the unmined sites. The PEIS study 

found that the changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages and WVSCI scores were 

strongly correlated to water quality changes. Again, these data suggest that the water 

quality on the proposed mine area will likely be degraded in a similar fashion, and will 

likely result in impairment of the aquatic life use in the mined tributaries. 

7
Table 5. Average water quality at streams on and near the proposed project area: 

August 2000 to February 2001 (USEPA MTM PEIS Study Bryant et al. 2002)

Site Description Alkalinity Calcium Sulfate Tot. Dissolved 

Category (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/l) Solids (mg/L) 

White Oak Branch 34.7 11.8 21.6 78.7

Oldhouse Branch 21.7 9.6 18.1 55.7

Rockhouse Creek 255 108.1 415.8 848.7

Beech Creek 172.8 84.9 350.7 679.3

Left Fork Beech 

Creek 

501.8 269 1110.7 2071.7

Range of Increase 5x to 23x 7x to28x 16x to 61x 8x to 37x 

(Mined / Unmined) 

Table 6 shows WVSCI scores for macroinvertebrate data collected by WVDEP in fall of 

1997 and the summer of 2002 at a subset of sites in the Spruce Fork, Pond Fork and Little 

Coal watersheds. 

The WVDEP data indicate that streams on the nearby Dal-Tex operation do not fully 

support the aquatic life use, based on the WVSCI scores. Note that the WVDEP data 

indicate lower WVSCI scores for Pigeonroost Branch than the scores in the earlier EPA 

dataset. Overall, these WVDEP data support the EPA data and the finding that the 

aquatic life use is impaired in nearby mined streams and on the mainstem of Spruce Fork, 

Pond Fork and the Little Coal River. This impairment represents an unacceptable 

adverse impact. This impact is due to mining in the tributaries draining the Dal-Tex 

mine. The impacts in the mainstem of Spruce Fork, Pond Fork, and the Little Coal are 

likely due to a combination of stressors, including mining and residential stressors. 

8
Table 6. WVSCI scores for selected sites on Spruce Fork, Pond Fork and Little Coal River 

Stream Name (mile point) WVSCI Fully Supports Aquatic Life Use 

Tribs to Spruce Fork draining Spruce #1 

Seng Camp Creek (at mouth) 73.8 X 

Pigeonroost Creek (mile 0.8) 62.9

Oldhouse Branch (at mouth) NA

White Oak Branch (mile 0.5) 86.5 X 

Tribs to Spruce Fork draining nearby mined areas 

Rockhouse Creek (mile 0.8) 52.9

Beech Creek (at mouth) 58.8

Left Fork Beech Creek 23.4

Trace Branch NA

Spruce Fork mainstem sites 

Spruce Fork (mile 0.3) 73.1 X 

Spruce Fork (mile 4.6) 72.5 X 

Spruce Fork (mile 6) 61.4

Spruce Fork (mile 11.4) 65.0

Spruce Fork (mile 14.4) 69.5 X 

Spruce Fork (mile 17.2) 67.9

Spruce Fork (mile 18.1) 67.1

Spruce Fork (mile 18.5) 53.8

Spruce Fork (mile 18.6) NA

Spruce Fork (mile 23.7) 69.0 X 

Pond Fork mainstem sites 

Pond Fork (mile 0.3) 68.1 X 

Pond Fork (mile 0.4) 73.1 X 

Pond Fork (mile 4.9) 64.3

Pond Fork (mile 6.3) 64.7

Pond Fork mile 9.0) 66.8

Pond Fork (mile 12.6) NA

Pond Fork (mile 15.8) 64.1

Pond Fork (mile 21.6) 61.3

Pond Fork (mile 24.4) 59.1

Pond Fork (mile 26.6) 72.2 X 

Pond Fork (mile 32.3) 57.5

Little Coal mainstem sites 

Little Coal River (mile 0.2) NA

Little Coal River (mile 3.6) 73.9 X 

Little Coal River (mile 4.7) NA

Little Coal River (mile 10.2) NA

Little Coal River (mile 16.5) NA

Little Coal River (mile 17) 65.2

Little Coal River (mile 17.2) 64.5

Little Coal River (mile 17.8) NA

Little Coal River (mile 21.7) 66.8

Little Coal River (mile 25.2) NA

 

9
 

Fish 

Available fish assemblage data collected in the mainstem of Spruce Fork, downstream of 

Pigeonroost Branch, downstream of Seng Camp, and upstream of the confluence with 

Spruce Laurel Fork, indicate a diverse fish assemblage. While fish appear to be less 

sensitive to elevated TDS and conductivity than the macroinvertebrate assemblage, it is 

important to ensure that the current fish assemblage is protected. 

Note that WVDEP is currently conducting several studies on the sublethal effects of 

selenium (Se) on fish. The fish assemblage data may not reflect all the impacts of Se to 

the fish population since these data may not reflect larval deformities and other sublethal 

reproductive endpoints associated with Se toxicity. The preliminary results of the 

WVDEP studies are discussed in the Spruce No. 1 Proposed Determination. 

Table 7. List of fish species collected and their disturbance tolerance rating in Spruce 

Fork near the Spruce No. 1 Project. Both downstream of Pigeonroost and upstream of 

Spruce Laurel Fork sites were sampled by Penn State University as part of the PEIS1 in 

2000. The downstream of Seng Camp site was sampled by WVDNR in 2007. Note that 

these two sets of collections involved different sampling techniques. 

Common Name Family Species Tolerance

Downstream 

of 

Pigeonroost

Downstream 

of Seng Camp

Upstream of 

Spruce Laurel 

Fork

rock bass

central stoneroller

mottled sculpin

spotfin shiner

greenside darter

rainbow darter

johnny darter

variegate darter

banded darter

bigeye chub

northern hog sucker

least brook lamprey

American brook lamprey

green sunfish

bluegill

striped shiner

smallmouth bass

golden redhorse

silverjaw minnow

silver shiner

rosyface shiner

sand shiner

mimic shiner

bluntnose minnow

western blacknose dace

creek chub

Centrarchidae

Cyprinidae

Cottidae

Cyprinidae

Percidae

Percidae

Percidae

Percidae

Percidae

Cyprinidae

Catostomidae

Petromyzontidae

Petromyzontidae

Centrarchidae

Centrarchidae

Cyprinidae

Centrarchidae

Catostomidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Cyprinidae

Ambloplites rupestris

Campostoma anomalum

Cottus bairdii

Cyprinella spiloptera

Etheostoma blennioides

Etheostoma caeruleum

Etheostoma nigrum

Etheostoma variatum

Etheostoma zonale

Hybopsis amblops

Hypentelium nigricans

Lampetra aepyptera

Lampetra appendix

Lepomis cyanellus

Lepomis macrochirus

Luxilus chrysocephalus

Micropterus dolomieu

Moxostoma erythrurum

Notropis buccatus

Notropis photogenis

Notropis rubellus

Notropis stramineus

Notropis volucellus

Pimephales notatus

Rhinichthys obtusus

Semotilus atromaculatus

M

M

I

M

M

M

M

I

I

I

M

M

M

T

M

M

M

M

M

I

I

M

I

T

T

T

2

86

79

2

74

1

20

1

1

47

9

4

19

10

86

12

12

23

1

358

55

12

344

54

9

73

278

71

4

6

1

80

32

24

81

133

214

44

142

61

5

15

8

14

6

14

218

22

40

2

19

12

8

66

1

1

I=Intolerant; M=Moderate Tolerance; T=Tolerant

1

15

9

1

46

4

 

1 Interagency Mountaintop Mining/Valley Fills in Appalachia Programmatic EIS (PEIS) 

finalized in October 2005 (PEIS). The PEIS is available at 

www.epa.gov/Region3/mtntop/eis2005.htm. 

10
Water Quality 

Impairments based on the 303(d) listings 

Using the 2008 West Virginia Impaired by Pollutant GIS data, percent and total stream 

impairments were calculated for the Coal River Sub-basin (HUC 8) and sub-watersheds 

(HUC 12) that comprise the sub-basin. These stream impairments represent segments 

that are on the 303(d) list, have a TMDL or need a TMDL, or are a Category 4(c) type 

and include all years for which data is available. In Table 8, approximately 33% of the 

streams in the Coal River Sub-basin are considered impaired. The percent of impaired 

streams per sub-watershed in the Coal River Sub-basin range from 21% to 45%. 

Specifically, the Headwaters Spruce Fork sub-watershed, where Spruce No. 1 is to be 

located, has approximately 34% of the streams impaired. The streams in Headwaters 

Spruce Fork sub-watershed are impaired for biology, fecal, iron, and selenium (see Table 

9). Please note that the total stream miles calculated by impairment in Table 9 may 

include the same or portions of the same stream length if the stream has multiple 

impairments. Furthermore, the 2008 West Virginia Integrated Water Quality Monitoring 

and Assessment Report lists the causes for the most recent 303(d) listings as mining or 

unknown and Category 4(c) as coal mining. For more details, see

http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/WATERSHED/IR/Pages/default.aspx 

Table 8. Impaired Streams in the Coal River Sub-basin 

Subwatershed Name HUC_12 Impaired Miles Stream Miles (NHD 1:24k) Percent Impaired

Headwaters Clear Fork 050500090101 30.51 107.68 28.33

Outlet Clear Fork 050500090102 27.27 73.05 37.33

Stephens Lake 050500090201 25.19 63.17 39.88

Upper Marsh Fork 050500090202 61.61 186.41 33.05

Middle Marsh Fork 050500090203 41.31 116.53 35.45

Lower Marsh Fork 050500090204 29.60 87.59 33.79

Spruce Laurel Fork 050500090301 24.51 77.03 31.82

Headwaters Spruce Fork 050500090302 39.55 116.19 34.04

Outlet Spruce Fork 050500090303 47.61 92.53 51.45

Upper Pond Fork 050500090401 17.83 63.25 28.20

West Fork 050500090402 33.32 99.87 33.36

Middle Pond Fork 050500090403 19.39 57.30 33.84

Lower Pond Fork 050500090404 25.49 85.94 29.66

Big Horse Creek 050500090501 21.76 88.02 24.72

Upper Little Coal River 050500090502 53.99 173.17 31.18

Lower Little Coal River 050500090503 22.63 64.32 35.19

White Oak Creek 050500090601 13.00 52.54 24.75

Laurel Creek 050500090602 42.20 128.04 32.96

Joes Creek-Big Coal River 050500090603 46.18 133.71 34.54

Drawdy Creek-Big Coal River 050500090604 36.99 103.23 35.83

Brier Creek 050500090605 8.96 36.31 24.67

Fork Creek-Big Coal River 050500090606 18.90 88.84 21.28

Smith Creek-Coal River 050500090607 38.97 85.04 45.82

Browns Creek-Coal River 050500090608 16.44 52.51 31.30

Subbasin Name HUC_8 

Coal 05050009 743.21 2232.27 33.29

11
Table 9 

Subwatershed HUC12 Al Bio Fecal

Impairments (miles of streams)*

Fe LowFlow Mn pH Se Total

Headwaters Clear Fork 050500090101 16.4 15.7 30.5 62.6

Outlet Clear Fork 050500090102 11.7 10.1 17.9 22.8 2.4 3.3 68.1

Stephens Lake 050500090201 10.2 9.2 23.9 43.3

Upper Marsh Fork 050500090202 1.1 20.6 47.1 44.0 1.1 113.8

Middle Marsh Fork 050500090203 2.7 5.7 24.8 34.7 2.7 70.6

Lower Marsh Fork 050500090204 1.8 11.3 29.6 4.9 47.7

Spruce Laurel Fork 050500090301 6.3 8.2 16.1 30.5

Headwaters Spruce Fork 050500090302 5.3 14.6 39.5 6.7 66.2

Outlet Spruce Fork 050500090303 2.7 5.9 44.9 28.4 2.7 84.5

Upper Pond Fork 050500090401 15.9 2.7 13.2 31.8

West Fork 050500090402 1.8 15.2 3.8 24.4 17.5 0.2 63.0

Middle Pond Fork 050500090403 5.5 11.9 18.6 6.7 42.6

Lower Pond Fork 050500090404 6.1 25.5 31.6

Big Horse Creek 050500090501 12.0 20.7 21.8 54.5

Upper Little Coal River 050500090502 29.1 49.0 5.7 2.2 86.0

Lower Little Coal River 050500090503 4.0 16.6 2.1 22.6

White Oak Creek 050500090601 13.0 1.8 11.2 26.0

Laurel Creek 050500090602 2.4 16.1 20.6 42.1 2.4 83.7

Joes Creek-Big Coal River 050500090603 5.0 5.6 29.6 26.7 5.0 5.6 77.6

Drawdy Creek-Big Coal River 050500090604 11.4 34.2 19.3 64.9

Brier Creek 050500090605 9.0 9.0 17.9

Fork Creek-Big Coal River 050500090606 0.0 11.5 7.4 18.9

Smith Creek-Coal River 050500090607 11.7 39.0 50.6

Browns Creek-Coal River 050500090608 5.7 16.4 22.2

Totals 27.4 223.4 456.5 481.3 33.6 4.9 20.3 33.7 1,281.1

*streams may have more than one impairment resulting in higher total calculations

12
TDS/Conductivity 

EPA and most state agencies do not have numeric water quality criteria for total 

dissolved solids or ion mixtures in order to protect aquatic life. A few states have 

numeric criteria for single component ions such as sulfate. WVDEP does not have any 

numeric water quality criteria for conductivity or the component ions in alkaline mine 

drainage, but WVDEP has developed guidelines for some water quality parameters for 

use in the TMDL stressor identification program. For example, in the Coal River TMDL 

WVDEP eliminated conductivity as a potential stressor if the maximum measurement in 

a waterbody was < 300 μS/cm. In more recent TMDLs, WVDEP indicates that sulfate 

levels > 202 mg/l or conductivity levels > 767 μS/cm indicate that these parameters are 

likely stressors causing or contributing to biological impairment. It is important to note, 

however, that WVDEP does not identify all waters with elevated conductivity and sulfate 

as impaired for ionic toxicity. 

For example, for certain waters in the Coal River watershed (James Branch, Ellis Creek, 

Rockhouse Creek, Toney Fork, Buffalo Fork, Left Fork/Beech Creek, and Seng Creek), 

WVDEP concluded that the stressor identification process determined ionic toxicity as 

the primary stressor. (Rockhouse Creek and the Left Fork of Beech Creek drain the 

Mingo Logan Dal-Tex operation.) Other waters in the vicinity of the project also had 

comparable elevated levels of conductivity and sulfate, but were not identified by 

WVDEP as impaired for ionic toxicity See Table 10 below for examples. Table 10 also 

shows the conductivity and sulfate levels of the streams draining the proposed project 

area, which have good to excellent water quality. 

EPA has found that conductivity levels > 500μS/cm has been strongly associated with 

high probability of impairment to native biota (Pond et al. 2008). As discussed in the 

Proposed Determination, EPA is also concerned about the spread of golden algae, which 

can produce a toxin that is highly toxic to aquatic life. The lower TDS limits for the 

growth of golden algae appears to be ~500 mg/l TDS, or ~700μS/cm conductivity for the 

ion mixtures typical of alkaline mine drainage. The waters draining the nearby Dal-Tex 

Mine operation have conductivity levels greater than these values. Many of the sampling 

sites on the mainstem of Spruce Fork, Pond Fork and the Little Coal River also have 

conductivity levels exceeding these endpoints. 

13
Table 10. Conductivity and sulfate values for selected sites on Spruce Fork, Pond Fork 

and the Little Coal River (WVDEP data 1997-2003). 

Stream Name (mile point) Avg. Conductivity (μcm) Avg. Sulfate (mg/l)

Tribs where WVDEP identified ionic toxicity as primary stressor 

James Branch (at mouth) 705 NA

Ellis Creek (at mouth) 1068 427

Rockhouse Creek (mile 0.8) 1027 407

Toney Fork (at mouth) 1050 466

Buffalo Fork (at mouth) 1226 580

Left Fork Beech Creek (at mouth) 2426 1019

Seng Creek (at mouth) 794 328

Average 1185 538

Tribs to Spruce Fork draining Spruce #1 

Seng Camp Creek (at mouth) 189 61

Pigeonroost Creek (mile 0.8) 199 99

Oldhouse Branch (at mouth) 90 28

White Oak Branch (mile 0.5) 118 24

Tribs to Spruce Fork draining nearby mined areas 

Rockhouse Creek (mile 0.8 – same site as above) 1027 407

Beech Creek (at mouth) 1432 557

Left Fork Beech Creek (at mouth – same site as above) 2426 1019

Trace Branch (at mouth) 972 569

Spruce Fork mainstem sites 

Spruce Fork (mile 0.3) 641 187

Spruce Fork (mile 4.6) 667 175

Spruce Fork (mile 6) 846 NA

Spruce Fork (mile 11.4) 718 206

Spruce Fork (mile 14.4) 815 260

Spruce Fork (mile 17.2) 883 170

Spruce Fork (mile 18.1) 503 121

Spruce Fork (mile 18.5) 913 170

Spruce Fork (mile 18.6) 824 168

Spruce Fork (mile 23.7) 393 117

Pond Fork mainstem sites 

Pond Fork (mile 0.3) 813 187

Pond Fork (mile 0.4) 1016 NA

Pond Fork (mile 4.9) 1028 260

Pond Fork (mile 6.3) 915 205

Pond Fork mile 9.0) 1037 240

Pond Fork (mile 12.6) 827 NA

Pond Fork (mile 15.8) 858 220

Pond Fork (mile 21.6) 785 202

Pond Fork (mile 24.4) 1114 860

Pond Fork (mile 26.6) 816 256

14
Pond Fork (mile 32.3) 806 321

Little Coal mainstem sites 

Little Coal River (mile 0.2) 660 NA

Little Coal River (mile 3.6) 1030 280

Little Coal River (mile 4.7) 676 NA

Little Coal River (mile 10.2) 679 NA

Little Coal River (mile 16.5) 756 NA

Little Coal River (mile 17) 1111 280

Little Coal River (mile 17.2) 1165 NA

Little Coal River (mile 17.8) 685 NA

Little Coal River (mile 21.7) 725 NA

Little Coal River (mile 25.2) 767 NA

 

* Only one measurement available for these sites. Representative of baseflow conditions. 

NA - no WVDEP data available for that site 

15
Selenium

In West Virginia, coals that contain the highest selenium concentrations are found in a 

region of south central West Virginia where the Allegheny and Upper Kanawha 

Formations of the Middle Pennsylvanian are mined (WVGES 2002). WVDEP reports 

that some of the highest coal selenium concentrations are found in the central portion of 

the Coal River watershed where significant active mining and selenium impaired streams 

are located, in the immediate vicinity of the Spruce No. 1 project. 

WVDEP and EPA have sampled selenium in the vicinity of the Spruce No. 1 project 

area. Table 11 provides a summary of selenium averages and ranges for streams draining 

the nearby Dal-Tex operation and for those draining the Spruce No. 1 project area. 

Streams draining the nearby Dal-Tex operation have selenium concentrations exceeding 

the 5 ug/l selenium criterion. Selenium concentrations have not decreased over the period 

of record in Beech Creek. 

Table 11. Selenium Concentrations (ug/l) Near Spruce No. 1 Project Area 

 Source and time period of data 

Stream Name Subbasin PEIS (2000-2001) WVDEP (2002-2003) WVDEP (2005-2007) 

Se (avg) Se (range) Se (avg) Se (range) Se (avg) Se (range) 

Average and Range of Se in Tribs to Spruce Fork that drain Spruce No. 1 project area 

White Oak Branch Spruce Fork <3 ND <5 ND NS 

Oldhouse Branch Spruce Fork <3 ND <5 ND NS 

Pigeonroost Branch Spruce Fork <3 ND <5 ND NS 

Seng Camp Creek Spruce Fork NS <5 ND NS 

 

Average and Range of Se in Tribs to Spruce Fork draining Dal-Tex Operation 

Beech Creek Spruce Fork 7.5 5.6-9.5 6 5.0-9.0 12.3 6.0-22.0 

Left Fork of Beech Creek Spruce Fork 22.7 15.3-31.1 22 5.0-53.0 NS 

Trace Branch Spruce Fork NS NS 7 5.0-10.0 NS 

Rockhouse Branch Spruce Fork 5.3 3.8-8.0 < 5 ND < 5 ND NS 

ND: Se not detected. Detection limit shown. 

NS: Not sampled. Stream was not sampled for the study shown. 

16
Selenium concentrations in exceedance of the 5 ug/l Se criterion have been detected in 

several other mined streams throughout the Coal River Sub-basin (Table 12). For most 

of these streams, the WVDEP data indicate only one (1) sample exceeding the selenium 

criterion. Selenium concentrations have exceeded the Se criterion at least three times in 

six (6) other mined streams in the Coal River Sub-basin. These streams are farther from 

the project area than those listed in the table above. These include White Oak Creek (a 

tributary to the Coal River), the left Fork of White Oak Creek, Seng Creek (another 

tributary to the Coal River); and Casey Creek, James Creek, and Beaver Pond Branch, all 

tributaries to Pond Fork. 

Table 12. Other streams in the Coal River sub-basin where selenium concentrations have 

exceeded the 5 ug/l criterion. Data Source: WVDEP monitoring data from 2002-2003. 

Range of 

Values > 5 

Stream Name Next Higher Watershed Avg of Values > 5ug/l ug/l 

White Oak Branch Spruce Laurel Fork 7 1 sample

Spruce Lick Big Horse Creek 7 1 sample

Bragg Fork Big Horse Creek 6 1 sample

Whites Trace Branch Spruce Fork 10 1 sample

Robinson Creek Pond Fork 15 1 sample

Bull Creek Pond Fork 6 1 sample

West Fork/Pond Fork Pond Fork 6 1 sample

James Creek West Fork/Pond Fork 8 6.0-11.0

Casey Creek Pond Fork 6 6.0-6.0

Beaver Pond Branch Pond Fork 10 7.0-22.0

Jarrell Branch Pond Fork 6 1 sample

Left Fork/Joes Creek Joes Creek 6 1 sample

White Oak Creek (mile 3.9) Coal River 9 6.0-20.0

Left Fork/White Oak Creek Coal River 9 6.0-20.0

Little Elk Creek Coal River 6 1 sample

Seng Creek (mile 3.9) Coal River 14 8.0-45.0

Brushy Fork Marsh Fork 6 1 sample

Sandlick Creek Marsh Fork 10 1 sample

Right Fork/Sandlick Creek Sandlick Creek 10 10.0-10.0

Harper Branch Sandlick Creek 10 1 sample

Dingess Branch Marsh Fork 10 1 sample

Clear Fork Coal River 6 1 sample

Rockhouse Creek Clear Fork 7 6.0-8.0

Toney Fork Clear Fork 10 1 sample

Buffalo Fork/Toney Fork Clear Fork 8 6.0-10.0

Streams in Bold text are those streams where WVDEP has confirmed exceedances with more than 

two samples. 

17
The NPDES permit issued for the Spruce No. 1 project includes water quality based 

effluent limitations for selenium in only four of the 25 authorized outfalls. The permittee 

has commenced operations in the Seng Camp Creek area pursuant to an agreement with 

plaintiffs in litigation. 

Recent NPDES discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) for the Right Fork of Seng Camp 

Creek demonstrate exceedances of West Virginia’s numeric water quality criterion for 

selenium at Outfalls 017 and 028. Outfall 017 was sampled twice for the third quarter of 

2009. One of those samples indicated a selenium concentration of 19 ug/l. 

Table 13 provides recent DMR data for Outfall 028. The NPDES permit for the Spruce 

No. 1 project does not contain effluent limits for selenium at this outfall, but requires 

only that the permittee monitor for selenium and report the results. The data from outfall 

28 also document exceedances of the 5 ug/l Se criterion, indicating that the proposed 

project has the potential to cause or contribute to exceedances of the Se water quality 

standard. 

Table 13. Recent DMR Data from Outfall 028 of the Spruce No. 1 operation 

permit_id inspectable_unit_code chemical_report_date chemical_short_desc min avg max

WV1017021 028 12/31/2008 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 5.70 5.70 5.70

WV1017021 028 1/31/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 9.80 9.80 9.80

WV1017021 028 2/28/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 3.90 3.90 3.90

WV1017021 028 3/31/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 0.60 1.00 1.40

WV1017021 028 4/30/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 1.70 1.70 1.70

WV1017021 028 5/31/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 2.50 2.50 2.50

WV1017021 028 6/30/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 3.20 3.30 3.40

WV1017021 028 8/31/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 1.25 3.48 5.70

WV1017021 028 9/30/2009 00:00:00 Selenium, Total Recoverable 4.60 6.05 7.50

18
Trends in Water Quality

Trends Since 2002: WVDEP EQUIS Trends stations on Spruce Fork and Pond 

Fork 

WVDEP maintains some water quality trend data at several sites statewide on its online 

GIS web server (http://gisonline.wvdep.org/equis/equis.html ). These data span the 

period of 2003 to 2008 and provide some limited information on trends. Unfortunately, 

these data do not represent the period prior to large-scale surface mining in the 

watersheds. 

There are two sites located on Spruce Fork; one near the mouth of Spruce Fork (TS078) 

and one just upstream of Beech Creek (and hence upstream of most of the drainage from 

Dal-Tex Mine) near Sharples, WV (TS058). The upstream site on Spruce Fork (TS058) 

is downstream of the Spruce No.1 project area. There are also two sites located on Pond 

Fork, one near the mouth (TS079) and one farther upstream in Barrett, WV (TS057). 

The following figures represent trends in conductivity using all the available data points 

and trends in flow-weighted annual means for conductivity. The conductivity readings 

represent the concentrations that biota would be exposed to, and hence are the values that 

would be compared to any thresholds or aquatic life advisory levels. The flow-weighted 

annual means for conductivity are an attempt to factor in differences in flow from year to 

year at each site. A red line indicating a threshold of 500 μS/cm conductivity has been 

added to each graph for reference. EPA has found that conductivity values > 500 μS/cm 

are associated with a high probability of impairment of the aquatic life use. 

Individual conductivity values are variable within individual years and over the period of 

record. Despite this seasonal variability, the data indicate increasing trends in both 

conductivity and flow-weighted conductivity at all four monitoring sites. 

These data support the general trends seen in the WVDEP Watershed 

Assessment Program data. Levels are elevated in both Spruce Fork and in Pond Fork and 

the levels are higher in Pond Fork than in Spruce Fork. 

At the downstream Spruce Fork site (TS078), 59% of the samples (40 of 68) had 

conductivity > 500 μS/cm over the period of record (Table 14). At the upstream Spruce 

Fork site (TS058), 38% of the samples (26 of 68) had conductivity > 500 μS/cm. These 

data support the finding that the water quality in the headwaters of Spruce Fork is of 

better quality and is providing a source of cleaner water to downstream reaches of Spruce 

Fork and farther downstream to the Little Coal River. At the downstream Spruce Fork 

site, the flow-weighted annual averages were > 500 μS/cm from 2004 to 2008. At the 

upstream Spruce Fork site, only one flow-weighted annual average was > 500 μS/cm 

(2007), but the trend is increasing. 

At the downstream Pond Fork site (TS079), 86% of the samples (57 of 66) had a 

conductivity > 500 μS/cm over the period of record. At the upstream Pond Fork site 

19
(TS057), 85% of the samples (58 of 68) had conductivity > 500 μS/cm. At both the 

downstream and upstream Pond Fork sites, every flow-weighted annual average was 

> 500 μS/cm from 2003 to 2008. 

Table 14. Conductivity Concentrations and Trends for the period 2003-2008

Stream Location Site # % samples > 

500 μS/cm 

Trend in 

conductivity 

Spruce Fork near mouth TS078 59 Increasing 

Spruce Fork upstream of 

Beech Creek 

TS058 38 Increasing 

Pond Fork near mouth TS079 86 Increasing 

Pond Fork in Barrett, WV TS057 85 Increasing 

20
Figure 1 

Spruce Fork near mouth (TS078)

1400

Con

1200

ductivity (μ

1000

800

S/cm)

600

400

200

0

9/1/2002 1/14/2004 5/28/2005 10/10/2006 2/22/2008 7/6/2009

Date

Figure 2 

Spruce Fork near mouth (TS078)

700.00

)

600.00

mc/

500.00

Sμ (yt 400.00 ivinduct300.00

y = 17.23x - 34013

200.00 R2 o

 = 0.1647

C

100.00

0.00

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Flow Weighted Conductivity Linear (Flow Weighted Conductivity)

21
Figure 3

Spruce Fork upstream of Beech Creek (TS058)

1200

)

1000

mc/oh

800

m (μtyiv

600

itcudn

400

oC

200

0

9/1/2002 1/14/2004 5/28/2005 10/10/2006 2/22/2008 7/6/2009

Date

Figure 4 

Spruce Fork upstream of Beech Creek (TS058)

600.00

)

500.00

cm/S400.00 (μytvi300.00 ticud200.00 no

y = 22.618x - 44951

C

R2

 = 0.4241 100.00

0.00

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Flow Weighted Conductivity Linear (Flow Weighted Conductivity)

22
Figure 5 

Pond Fork near mouth(TS079)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

9/1/2002 1/14/2004 5/28/2005 10/10/2006 2/22/2008 7/6/2009

Date

Conductivity (μS/cm)

Figure 6

Pond Fork near mouth (TS079)

1200.00

)

1000.00

mc/S

800.00

μ (ytiv

600.00

itonduc

400.00 y = 24.608x - 48508

C

R2

 = 0.1421 200.00

0.00

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Flow Weighted Conductivity Linear (Flow Weighted Conductivity)

23
Figure 7

Pond Fork Barrett, WV(TS057)

1400

1200

)mc1000 /Sμ (y

800

tivituc

600

ndoC

400

200

0

9/1/2002 1/14/2004 5/28/2005 10/10/2006 2/22/2008 7/6/2009

Date

Figure 8

Pond Fork Barrett, WV (TS057)

900.00

800.00

)cm

700.00

S/

600.00

μ (yt

500.00

ivitonduc

400.00

300.00

C

200.00

100.00

0.00

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Flow Weighted Conductivity Linear (Flow Weighted Conductivity)

24
Longer Term Trends: WVDEP Ambient Monitoring Site on Coal River 

The WVDEP maintains a set of ambient monitoring sites around the state with a longer 

period of record in order to monitor water quality of West Virginia's streams over time. 

The Ambient Water Quality Network consists primarily of single sites on the main stem 

streams of 32 major watersheds, near the mouths of the watersheds. The sites in the 

network are visited every three months, usually in January, April, July and October. 

The site closest to the Spruce No.1 project area is located on the Coal River at Tornado, 

WV, approximately 31 miles north of the proposed project area. This is the closest long 

term trend site downstream of the proposed project area and has limited direct relevance 

to the headwaters of Spruce Fork, where the proposed project is located. This site does, 

however, reflect water quality changes in the entire Coal River basin. Graphs are 

available from the WVDEP website, but not the raw data. These graphs display data 

from 1999 to 2007. The following graphs were downloaded from the WVDEP website: 

http://www.wvdep.org/Item.cfm?ssid=11&SS1ID=713 .) 

The site on the Coal River was sampled 35 times between January 1999 and April 2007. 

The conductivity was > 500 μS/cm during 22 of the 35 sampling events (63% of the 

time). The conductivity follows a strong seasonal pattern with the highest values 

recorded during the low flow months (July and October). Sulfate concentrations follow a 

similar seasonal pattern. Sulfate concentrations were > 202 mg/l during 13 of the 37 

monitoring events (35% of the time). There is no obvious trend in either conductivity or 

sulfate over the period of record available. 

WVDEP has some trend data for selenium at the Coal River ambient water quality site. 

The detection limit for selenium has changed over time, so it is difficult to evaluate trends 

with this dataset. Selenium was detected during the last 10 sampling events (October 

2005 to June 2007), but has never exceeded the 5 ug/l criterion. The highest value (4 

ug/l) was observed during the most recent sampling event. 

25
Figure 9 

26
Figure 10 

27
Figure 11

28
Toxicity Testing of Streams Dominated by Alkaline Mine Drainage 

Several studies have documented significant and strong correlations between degraded 

instream resident biota and high specific conductivity or total dissolved solids 

concentrations downstream of mining (Green et al. 2000, Howard et al. 2001, Fulk et al. 

2003, Kennedy et al. 2003, and Pond et al. 2008). Several component ions of alkaline 

mine drainage (magnesium, sulfate, bicarbonate, potassium) are known to be toxic to 

aquatic life and models have been developed to predict the acute lethal toxicity of 

mixtures of ions to surrogate aquatic organisms (Mount et al. 1997). 

EPA research based on these ion toxicity models indicates that ion concentrations in 

alkaline mine drainage in the Central Appalachians commonly reach levels that could 

cause acute lethal toxicity to surrogate Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) organisms such 

as Ceriodaphnia dubia. There are no models available to predict chronic sublethal 

toxicity of ion concentrations. However, the water quality degradation and elevated 

conductivity caused by surface mining activities represent a chronic exposure level and 

chronic sublethal endpoints such as reproduction are thought to be the more relevant and 

sensitive endpoints that need to be protected. Generally, chronic sublethal effects occur 

at 2-3 times lower concentrations of ions than do acute lethal effects (Kennedy et al, 

2003, Kennedy et al. 2005). 

EPA toxicity testing data indicate that these alkaline mining effluents can cause 

significant chronic sublethal toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia, as measured by decreased 

reproduction, usually when the conductivity of the mixture is greater than 1500 μS/cm 

(EPA unpublished data 2007-2009). Table 15 summarizes these data. LC50 values are 

the instream waste concentrations that would be lethal to 50% of the test organisms. 

IC25 values are the instream waste concentrations that would cause a 25% decrease in 

reproduction, compared to control organisms, which is an unacceptable sublethal effect. 

Any LC50 or IC25 values < 100 indicate potential instream toxicity and harm to biota. 

For many of these streams, the mining discharge becomes the origin of the stream post 

mining, so there is little or no dilution available downstream until the next intervening 

unmined tributary. Therefore, any toxicity in ambient samples should be considered 

evidence of potential instream harm to resident biota, because the instream waste 

concentration is often near 100%. 

29
Table 15. Comparison of LC50 and IC 25 for reproduction values for all stream samples 

Stream Name Spec. Cond. LC50 IC25 

100% 

sample a Survival Reproduction 

 

Boardtree Branch 2582 28 14.8 

Winding Shoals 2147 >100 31.6 

Sugartree Branch 1383 >100 86.3 

Upper Dempsey Branch 2143 >100 25.1 

Grant Branch 939 >100 >100 

Little Muncy Branch 1086 >100 >100 

UNT to Cow Creek 1040 >100 >100 

Jack's Run 1792 >100 31.8 

Bee Run 2347 24 14.4 

UNT 1 to Leatherwood 2115 >100 28.7 

UNT 2 to Leatherwood 2372 >100 25.5 

Venters Branch (2008) 2467 >100 4.8 

Venters Branch (2009) 2270 >100 4.0 

UNT Mudlick Branch 2223 >100 11.3 

Jones Branch 2353 >100 11.1 

Lick Branch 1444 >100 25.9 

Laurel Fork 2697 >100 1.9 

Long Fork 2638 >100 1.8 

Knob Bottom Fork 2545 >100 7.6 

Ballard Fork Pond 1446 >100 48.4 

UNT to Straight Creek 1907 >100 4.5 

 

a Specific conductivity is mean of 100% ambient sample treatment as measured in laboratory during 

testing. 

30
Maps

The following maps show the area of the proposed project in relation to the Dal Tex 

surface mining operation and in relation to other mining projects that are part of the 

Enhanced Coordination Process for review. 

The first map shows the Dal Tex operation which is directly to the northwest of the 

proposed project area, across the mainstem of Spruce Fork. EPA believes the water 

quality and biological condition of the streams draining this operation are likely to be 

representative of the post-mining conditions of streams on the Spruce No. 1 project area. 

Data from streams draining Dal Tex have been provided as examples throughout this 

technical support document. The underlying aerial photograph does indicate some other 

mined areas that appear as light grey barren areas. 

The second map shows the Spruce No. 1 project area in relation to other pending permits 

that are part of the USEPA and US Army Corps of Engineers Enhanced Coordination 

Process. Note that this map does not show all existing mined lands or all mining permits 

in the Coal River sub-basin. However, the aerial photograph does indicate some mined 

areas that appear as light grey barren areas. 

31
32
33