STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

WORKSHOP SESSION – LAHONTAN REGIONAL BOARD

MAY 3, 2000

ITEM: 6

SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE STANDARD AGREEMENTS (EXCEEDING $200,000) TO PROVIDE TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE AT LEVIATHAN MINE, ALPINE COUNTY

DISUCUSSION: Leviathan Mine is an inactive sulfur mine on property presently owned by the

State of California and under the jurisdiction of the State Water Resources Control Board

(SWRCB). The mine is located in Alpine County, approximately five miles east of Markleeville,

California.

Degradation of water quality in Leviathan, Aspen, and Bryant creeks occurs as a

result of the discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) from Leviathan Mine (the Site). AMD from

the Site can be characterized as a dilute sulfuric solution containing dissolved metals, including:

arsenic, copper, nickel, aluminum, and iron.

The State acquired the site in 1984 in order to secure funding for and to implement a pollution abatement project. In 1985, and with available funding, the LRWQCB completed a pollution abatement system at the site. The pollution abatement system captures and diverts water as a means to prevent the generation of AMD and erosion. In addition, the abatement system captures and evaporates AMD from underground mine workings in a series of lined evaporation ponds. The 1985 abatement project reduced the volume of AMD generated and discharged from the site and the sediment load to receiving waters; h however, the project did not completely eliminate the discharge of AMD from the site.

The evaporation ponds were intended to reduce the volume of AMD discharged to Leviathan Creek (via evaporation), and to prevent the discharge of AMD until the flow in receiving waters (Leviathan Creek) was expected to provide the greatest attenuation. Discharge of AMD from the pond system routinely occurs during the spring months when pond inflow exceeds the storage and evaporative capacities of the pond system.

Since completion of the 1985 abatement project, the LRWQCB has pursued projects to address remaining problems at the site, including pond overflows. Additionally, the LRWQCB has maintained the 1985 abatement system to ensure that it performs as designed. In 1995, the SWRCB approved a 5-year workplan for Leviathan Mine prepared by the LRWQCB. The 5-year workplan contains plans to address remaining problems at the site, including pond overflows. Funding for the 5-year workplan became available in the fall of 1998. These funds were first put to use during the 1999 construction season (May 1999 – October 1999). During the 1999 construction season, with available funding, the LRWQCB successfully implemented a treatability study to evaluate a particular method of neutralizing AD (biphasic neutralization). The treatability study was successful in that it: (1) demonstrated that biphasic neutralization could be used to treat pond water (AMD), (2) resulted in the removal and treatment of approximately 4.5 million gallons of AMD, and (3) significantly reduced the potential for pond overflows in 2000.

The intent of the contracts contemplated by this resolution is to re-implement pond water treatment during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 construction seasons, as a means to prevent pond overflows in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The LRWQCB is required to obtain SWRCB authorization to enter into contracts that exceed $200,000. By means of the proposed resolution, the LRWQCB is requesting SWRCB authorization to execute standard agreements (exceeding $200,000) in order to re-implement pond water treatment at Leviathan Mine during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 construction seasons.

The available funding for such contracts is $1,950,000 ($650,000 per year for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002).

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB adopt a proposed resolution that will authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute standard agreements (exceeding $200,000) to re-implement pond water treatment at Leviathan Mine during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 construction seasons.

RWQCB IMPACT: LRWWQCB staff shall manage the contracts for the proposed projects.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the proposed resolution

DRAFT April 24, 2000

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 2000 - ___

AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A STSANDARD AGREEMENT (EXCEEDING $200,000) TO PROVIDE TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRSAINAGE (AMD) AT LEVIATHAN MINE, ALPINE COUNTY

WHEREAS:

1. Leviathan Mine is an inactive sulfur mine on property presently owned by the State of California and under the jurisdiction of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The mine is located in Alpine County, approximately five miles east of Markleeville, California.

2. Degradation of water quality in Leviathan, Aspen and Bryant Creeks occurs as a result of the discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) from Leviathan Mine. The AMD from Leviathan Mine can be characterized as a dilute sulfuric solution containing dissolved metals, including: arsenic, copper, nickel, aluminum and iron.

3. In 1984, the SWRCB acquired ownership of the mine. The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) completed the Leviathan Mine Pollution Abatement Project in 1985. The pollution abatement system captures and diverts surface runoff to reduced percolation into site soils, thereby reducing the volume of AMD generated on site. In addition, the abatement system captures and evaporates AMD from underground mine workings in a series of lined evaporation ponds.

4. Even with the completion of the 1985 abatement project, AMD continues to discharge from the mine site. Discharge of AMD from the pond system routinely occurs in the spring when pond inflow exceeds the storage and evaporative capacities of the pond system.

5. The LRWQCB continues to evaluate and implement various means to treat AMD. During the 1999 construction season, the LRWQCB successfully implemented a treatability study to evaluate a particular method of neutralizing AMD (biphasic neutralization). The treatability study was successful in that it demonstrated that biphasic neutralization could be used to treat pond water (AMD) and resulted in the removal and treatment of approximately 4.5 million gallons of pond water.

6. The LRWQCB is required to obtain SWRCB authorization to enter into contracts that exceed $200,000.

7. The LRWQCB is requesting SWRCB authorization to execute standard agreements (exceeding $200,000) to reimplement pond water treatment at Leviathan Mine during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 construction seasons as a means to prevent pond overflows in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

8. The available funding for re-implemention of pond water treatment is $1,950,000 ($650,000 per year for state fiscal years (Fys) 2000, 2001 and 2002). The estimated contract amount for reimplementing pond water treatment in Fys 2000, 2001 and 2002 is $1,950,000.

9. Execution of agreements to reimplement pond water treatment at Leviathan shall be contingent upon the LRWQCB receiving the necessary appropriations for such activities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB authorizes the Executive Director, or his designee, to execute standards agreements (exceeding $200,000) to reimplement pond water treatment at Leviathan Mine during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 construction (contingent upon the LRWQCB receiving the necessary appropriations for such activities for expenditure during state Fys 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on May 18, 2000.

_______________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board