Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 89.60 - Discharges to underground minesWater from the surface or from an underground mine may not be diverted or discharged into other underground mine workings, unless the operator demonstrates to the Department that the discharge will:
(1) Abate water pollution or otherwise eliminate public hazards resulting from underground mining activities.(2) Be discharged as a controlled flow.(3) Be limited to: (i) Coal processing wastes.(ii) Underground mine development wastes.(iii) Fly ash from a coal-fired facility.(iv) Sludge from a mine drainage treatment facility.(v) Flue gas desulfurization sludge.(vi) Inert materials used for stabilizing underground mines.(vii) Other wastes as may be approved by the Department.(4) Continue as a controlled and identifiable flow and is ultimately treated by an existing treatment facility, or will otherwise meet all State and Federal water quality standards and effluent limitations.(5) In any event, the discharge from underground mines to surface waters will not cause, result in or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards or effluent limitations.(6) Minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance.(7) Meet with the approval of the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Office of Deep Mine Safety of the Department. The provisions of this §89.60 adopted July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 88.493 (relating to minimum environmental protection performance standards); and 25 Pa. Code § 89.173 (relating to performance standards).