N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Ws 387.06

Current through Register No. 25, June 20, 2024

Section Env-Ws 387.06 - Study Area Estimate

(a) The applicant shall produce an estimate of the delineation of a study area and describe it in the minor designation request in accordance with Env-Ws 387.09.

(b) For a withdrawal that is not for bottled water or a community water system, the study area may be estimated as a circle, centered on the wellhead, with a 4000-foot radius.

(c) For a withdrawal that is for bottled water or a community water system, the applicant shall delineate an estimate of the study area.

(d) The study area estimate in (c) above, shall:

(1) Be based on the hydrologic conceptual model developed for approval of the source under Env-Ws 379 for community water systems or Env-Ws 389 for bottled water sources, whichever is appropriate, based on existing information, including but not limited to:

a. Soil boring logs;

b. Historic water level data;

c. Department records for existing water users and resources including testing and production reports;

d. Published reports;

e. National resource conservation service maps; and

f. United States geological survey geologic, bedrock lineament, and stratified-drift aquifer maps;

(2) Delineate the extent of the study area by:

a. Assuming a conceptual hydrologic model condition of 180 days of continuous pumping at maximum volumes without recharge from rainfall or snowmelt; and

b. Including the following items:

1. The maximum extent of the cone of depression created by the withdrawal;

2. The maximum extent of the recharge area for the withdrawal; and

3. The downgradient area of the withdrawal;

(3) Identify the sources of information used and interpreted in order to develop the study area estimate; and

(4) Refine the estimate based on results from withdrawal testing performed in accordance with Env-Ws 387.13.

(e) The downgradient area of the withdrawal described in (d) above, shall include:

(1) The area where water taken by the withdrawal would flow if the withdrawal did not operate;

(2) The area that will provide water to the downgradient area when the withdrawal is operating; and

(3) The point where the amount to be withdrawn is negligible when compared to the amount of water crossing the boundary using one of the following methods:

a. An existing or new delineation of a watershed large enough so that the size of the entire study area for the withdrawal is at least 10 times the size of the recharge area for the withdrawal;

b. An existing or new delineation of a watershed where the amount of water crossing the downgradient boundary, that is, leaving the study under current conditions, is at least 10 times the amount to be withdrawn; or

c. An alternative method of estimating a study area, provided it relies on conservative assumptions, is demonstrated as appropriate for the site by testing results and is clearly explained and justified.

(f) The estimate of the study area described in paragraph (c)-(e) above, and each of its components shall be presented on a map as described below:

(1) The map is at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000;

(2) The base map information wholly depicts the data included on a United States geologic survey topographic map or a department geographical information system map; and

(3) The map figure includes a map title, date, scale, and north arrow.

N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Ws 387.06

#7490, eff 5-12-01; ss by #9459, INTERIM, eff 5-12-09, EXPIRES: 11-9-09