Md. Code Regs. 26.20.13.06

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024

Section 26.20.13.06 - Hydrologic Balance: Water Quality Standards and Effluent Limitations

A. All surface drainage from the disturbed area, including disturbed areas that have been graded, seeded, or planted, shall be passed through a sedimentation pond, a series of sedimentation ponds, or a treatment facility before leaving the permit area. Any discharge of water from underground workings to surface waters which does not meet the effluent limitations of the Regulatory Program shall also be passed through a sedimentation pond, a series of sedimentation ponds, or a treatment facility before leaving the permit area.

B. Sedimentation ponds and treatment facilities for surface drainage from the disturbed area shall be maintained until the disturbed area has been restored and the vegetation requirements are met and the quality of the untreated drainage from the disturbed area meets the applicable State and federal water quality standards requirements for the receiving stream. Sedimentation ponds and treatment facilities for discharges from underground workings shall be maintained until either the discharge continuously meets the effluent limitations of the Regulatory Program or until the discharge has permanently ceased.

C. The Bureau may grant exemptions from these requirements only in accordance with the following:

(1) The person who conducts the underground mining activities shall demonstrate that sedimentation ponds and treatment facilities are not necessary for the drainage to be exempted to meet the effluent limitations of the Regulatory Program.

(2) For drainage from areas affected by surface operations and facilities, an exemption may be authorized only if the disturbed surface drainage area within the total disturbed surface area is small and there is no mixture of surface drainage with a discharge from underground mine workings. For drainage from underground mine workings, exemption may be authorized only if there is no mixture of that drainage from surface areas.

D. Sedimentation ponds shall be constructed in accordance with the Regulatory Program, in appropriate locations before beginning any underground mining activities in the affected drainage area.

E. If the sedimentation ponds or series of sedimentation ponds are used so as to result in the mixing of drainage from the disturbed areas with drainage from other areas not disturbed by current surface coal mining and reclamation operations, the permittee shall achieve the effluent limitations of the Regulatory Program for all of the mixed drainage when it leaves the permit area.

Md. Code Regs. 26.20.13.06

Regulations .06 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.13 a A_J, 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.