Opinion ID: 1208095
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Water quality concerns

Text: DNR's decision to extend the permits discussed water quality: The biggest concern expressed in the objections to this project and in the public hearing concerned water quality. This issue is hard to get a handle on due to the fact that there is no baseline data prior to mining, and the water quality work done to date has been geared towards turbidity and sediment. The USF & WS has a draft report out on the impacts of placer mining on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The conclusion states that no evidence was found that mining activities have adversely impacted the Tuluksak River's water quality or fish population.[ [26] ] However, the report goes on to say that river sediment in and below mining operations appear to be accumulating heavy metals. It is hypothesized that alterations in specific water quality parameters, such as PH, could release the heavy metals and trace elements found in sediment to the Tuluksak River. The report does not demonstrate that water quality has been affected by the mining to date, but speculates that the Fog River and Otter Creek significantly influence the lower Tuluksak River's chemical characteristics. Neither of these streams have been mined in the past. The report suggested that the current studies be continued with additional, and more extensive monitoring, on a regular schedule. BLM, in their Environmental Assessment (EA) states that, No impact to the water quality of the Tuluksak River watershed is expected from the mining operation, because there are no planned diversions of surface water or direct discharges of processed water to the Tuluksak River. All surface and ground water intercepted in the mining areas will be collected and recycled into the operational water supply or treated to state and federal standards before discharge. The wash plant used in this mining operation has consistently met state and federal water quality standards during the last six years of operation, according to DEC and BLM. Monitoring by the federal and state agencies has not identified any contaminants in the Tuluksak River system, which might be attributed to the mining or its support activities (BLM's EA). DNR relied on the reports of various agencies in concluding that the Tuluksak River meets state water quality standards. DNR provided conditions regarding water quality on the permit extensions: Per AS 46.030.050, [sic] Any discharge to state waters made subsequent to these water appropriations shall comply with the Alaska Water Quality Standards. This may require the installation and maintenance of settling ponds or similar systems to reduce turbidity and settleable solids in the discharges. ... . All operations will be conducted to prevent degradation of natural water courses or systems. Processed water will be recycled and any overflow will be treated to state and federal standards before discharge. All surface waters within the state of operations will be subject to treatment before discharge. Although DNR could have been more specific in the conditions it imposed regarding water quality, [27] TNCC fails to demonstrate that DNR did not comply with state water quality standards. Thus, DNR did not abuse its discretion.