Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10D-.22

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

Section 880-X-10D-.22 - Hydrologic Balance: Surface And Ground Water Monitoring

(1) Ground water.

(a) When underground mining activities may affect groundwater systems which serve as aquifers which significantly ensure the hydrologic balance of water use either on or off permit area, ground water levels and ground water quality shall be periodically monitored. Monitoring shall include measurements and chemical analyses from a sufficient number of wells and/or springs to adequately reflect changes in ground water quantity and quality resulting from those activities. Monitoring shall be adequate to plan for modification of the underground mining activities if necessary to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance and shall be conducted in a manner approved by the State Regulatory Authority.

(b) Monitoring data shall be reported to the State Regulatory Authority on a schedule as determined by the State Regulatory Authority.

(c) As specified and approved by the State Regulatory Authority, the person who conducts the underground mining activities shall conduct additional hydrologic test, including drilling and aquifer tests, and the results shall be submitted to the State Regulatory Authority to demonstrate compliance with Rule 880-X-10D-.21 and this Rule.

(2) Surface water.

(a) Surface water monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the monitoring program submitted under Rule 880-X-8H-.06(2)(c). The State Regulatory Authority shall determine the nature of data, frequency of collection, and reporting requirements. Monitoring shall --

1. Be adequate to measure accurately and record water quality and quantity of the discharges from the permit area;

2. In all cases in which analytical results of the sample collections indicate the occurrence of noncompliance with a permit condition or applicable standard, the person who conducts the underground mining activities shall notify the State Regulatory Authority within five days in accordance with NPDES procedures utilized by AWIC.

3. Result in quarterly reports to the State Regulatory Authority, to include analytical results from each sample taken during the quarter. Any sample results which indicate a permit violation will be reported immediately to the State Regulatory Authority. In those cases where the discharge for which water monitoring reports are required is also subject to regulation by NPDES permit issued under the Clean Water Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 - 1378) and where such permit includes provisions for equivalent reporting requirements and requires filing of the water monitoring reports within 90 days or less of sample collection, the following alternative procedure shall be used. The person who conducts the underground mining activities shall submit to the State Regulatory Authority on the same time schedule as required by the NPDES permit or within 90 days following sample collection, whichever is earlier either --

(i) A copy of the completed reporting form filed to meet NPDES permit requirements; or

(ii) A letter identifying the State or Federal government official with whom the reporting form was filed to meet NPDES permit requirements and the date of filing.

(b) Surface water flow and quality, including discharges to surface waters from the permit area, and receiving waters, shall continue to be monitored after both the cessation of use of underground mine workings and after surface disturbed areas have been regraded and stabilized according to this Rule. Data from this monitoring may be used to demonstrate that the quality and quantity of runoff without treatment is consistent with the requirement of this Rule to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to attain the approved postmining land use. These data may also provide a basis for approval by the State Regulatory Authority for removal of water quality of flow control systems.

(c) Equipment, structures, and other devices necessary to measure and sample accurately the quality and quantity surface water discharges from the surface disturbed area and from underground mine workings shall be properly installed, maintained, and operated and shall be removed when no longer required.

Author:

Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10D-.22

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