Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10D-.21

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 880-X-10D-.21 - Hydrologic Balance: Underground Mine Entry And Access Discharges

(1) Surface entries and accesses to underground workings including adits and slopes, shall be located, designed, constructed, and utilized to prevent or control gravity discharge of water from the mine.

(2) Gravity discharge of water from an under ground mine, other than a drift mine subject to Paragraph (3) of this Rule may be allowed by the State Regulatory Authority, if it is demonstrated that --

(a)

1. The discharge, without treatment, satisfies the water effluent limitations of Rule 880-X-10D-.13 and all applicable State and Federal water quality standards; and

2. That discharge will result in changes in the prevailing hydrologic balance that are minimal and approved postmining land uses will not be adversely affected; or

(b)

1. The discharge is conveyed to a treatment facility in the permit area in accordance with Rule 880-X-10D-.13(1);

2. All water from the underground mine discharged from the treatment facility meets the effluent limitations of Rule 880-X-10D-.13 and all other applicable State and Federal laws and regulations; and

3. Consistent maintenance of the treatment facility will occur throughout the anticipated period of gravity discharge.

(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Rule, for a drift mine first used after the implementation of the Act and located in acid-producing or iron-producing coal seams, surface entries and accesses shall be located in such a manner as to prevent any gravity discharge from the mine.

Author:

Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10D-.21

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 89, 90, 91, 97.