Md. Code Regs. 26.20.20.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 21, October 18, 2024

Section 26.20.20.05 - Surface Water Monitoring

A. Surface water monitoring shall be conducted according to the surface water monitoring plan approved under COMAR 26.20.02.13 a S.

B. Monitoring of Surface Water.

(1) The frequency of monitoring surface water at the approved monitoring location or locations shall be once every calendar quarter unless more frequent monitoring is required by the Bureau.

(2) The samples for consecutive quarters shall be collected at a minimum of 60-day intervals.

(3) Surface water monitoring data shall be submitted to the Bureau within 28 days of the end of the quarter.

C. At a minimum, the following parameters shall be monitored at each monitoring location:

(1) Specific conductance corrected to 25°C or total dissolved solids in milligrams per liter;

(2) Total suspended solids in milligrams per liter;

(3) Acidity and alkalinity;

(4) pH in standard units;

(5) Total iron in milligrams per liter;

(6) Total manganese in milligrams per liter;

(7) Sulfates;

(8) Flows; and

(9) Other parameters required by the Bureau.

D. Monitoring of Discharges in Accordance with NPDES Permits.

(1) Discharges from the permit area shall be monitored in accordance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

(2) The person who conducts the surface mine activities shall submit to the Bureau, on the same time schedule as required by the NPDES permit, either a copy of the completed reporting form filed to meet NPDES permit requirements or a letter identifying the State government official with whom the reporting form was filed to meet NPDES permit requirements and the date of the filing.

(3) In all cases in which the analytical results of the sample collections indicate that noncompliance with a permit condition or applicable standard has occurred, the person conducting the surface mining activities shall notify the Bureau immediately, and immediately take the actions provided for in COMAR 26.20.02.13 a N, O, and P and 26.20.05.03 a C.

E. Surface water monitoring shall proceed through mining and continue during reclamation until bond release. The Bureau may modify the monitoring requirements, including the parameters covered and the sampling frequency, if the operator demonstrates that the:

(1) Operation has minimized disturbance to the hydrologic balance in the permit area and adjacent areas and prevented material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area;

(2) Water quality and quantity are suitable to support approved postmining land uses;

(3) Postmining water quantity and quality is not adversely impacting identified water users and is not expected to adversely impact identified water users; and

(4) Water supply of any adversely impacted water users has been replaced.

F. The Bureau may modify the surface water monitoring requirements, including the parameters covered and sampling frequency, if the operator demonstrates that the monitoring is no longer necessary to achieve the purpose of the monitoring plan.

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

Md. Code Regs. 26.20.20.05

Regulations .05 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.23 a A_K, respectively. Recodification occurred in April, 1993. For a history of these regulations before April, 1993, see "Administrative History of COMAR 08.13.09 before April, 1993" which follows COMAR 26.20.01.
Regulations .05 amended effective October 23, 1995 (22:21 Md. R. 1614)