EPA-440/3-77-02? 208 Program WQM Guidance Series
DECEMBER 1977
WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR
MINE-RELATED POLLUTION SOURCES
(New, Current, and Abandoned)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF WATER PLANNING AND STANDARDS
WATER PLANNING DIVISION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20450
DEC 7 1977
SUBJECT: "Transmittal of Document Entitled "Water Quality Management
Guidance for Mine-related Pollution Sources (New, Current
and Abandoned)
njJ
FROM : Walter S. Grosafk>0epuhy Director
Water P1
TO
\
All Regional Water Division Directors
All 208 Coordinators
All Nonpoint Source Coordinators
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE MEMORANDUM - TECH 42
Purpose
Attached is a recently prepared guidance document that deals with
water quality management in relation to new, current and abandoned
mine-related water pollution sources. This guidance is intended to
assist State and areawide WQM agencies to develop and to implement
mine-related WQM programs that will be effective in preventing,
controlling and abating pollution from new, current and abandoned
mine-related point and ncnpoint sources.
Guidance
This document is part of a series of guidance materials addressing
WQM planning and implementation in each major nonpoint source pollution
category. Other publications have or will soon be issued dealing with
construction, hydrologic modifications, silviculture and agriculture.
These documents are provided in accordance with policies and procedures
of 40 CFR, Part 131: "EPA will prepare guidelines concerning the
development of water quality management plans to assist State and
areawide (WQM) planning agencies in carrying out the provisions of
these regulations" .
This mine-related guidance separately discusses each of _ the major
program thrusts which might be appropriately taken within mine-related
WQM programs. These include: identification and assessment of existing
current and abandoned sources; development and implementation of current
source control systems; mine-related "Best Management Practices";
development and implementation of abandoned source pollution abatement
programs; planning for prevention and control of pollution from new
mine-related sources; and continuing water quality management and WQM
planning.
Enclosure
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EPA-440/3-77-027
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE
FOR
MINE-RE LA TED POLLUTION SOURCES
(New, Current and Abandoned)
208 Water Quality Management Program
PREPARED BY:
DAN DEELY
MINE-RELATED AND SILVICULTURAL WQM PROGRAMS
NONPOINT SOURCES BRANCH
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF WATER PLANNING AND STANDARDS
WATER PLANNING DIVISION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460
December 1977
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Constructive review of early drafts of this mine-related
WQM guidance by the following groups is acknowledged:
U. S. D. I. Bureau of Mines; U. S. D. A. Soil Conservation Service;
U.S. D.I. Fish and Wildlife Service; U. S. D.A. Forest Service;
U. S. D. I. Bureau of Land Management; U. S. D. I. Geological
Survey; various mine-related industrial trade associations;
various national citizens' organizations; the Appalachian Regional
Commission; selected State water pollution control agencies;
representatives of mine-related industrial firms; selected State
and designated areawide WQM agencies; and numerous officials
within U. S. EPA Headquarters and its Regional Offices and
research facilities.
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SUMMARY
State and areawide water quality management (WQM) agencies are
committed to achievement of "water quality that provides for the protection
and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife and provides for recreation
in and on the water ... by July 1, 1983 ..." under Public Law 92-500,
"Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972".
Mine-related water quality management efforts undertaken by State
or by designated areawide WQM agencies to achieve this water quality goal
must deal with one or more of these five major program orientations:
1. Identification and assessment of existing current and abandoned
sources;
2. Current source control, and identification and use of Best
Management Practices or BMP's;
3. Abandoned source abatement;
4. New source planning; and
5. Continuing management and WQM planning.
This WQM guidance material discusses the pertinent issues and suggests
work plan tasks and task sequences for addressing, in turn, each of these
differing program orientations.
II
Recently enacted Federal coal mining legislation promises to be an
effective implementation mechanism for prevention, control and abatement
of pollution from new, current and abandoned coal mine-related sources.
The abandoned mine reclamation, current mine regulatory control, hydrologic
system protection, and mining unsuitability designation provisions of the new
law, (which is to be administered by the U. S. Department of Interior) are
consistent with this guidance, and should serve well the goals and objectives
I/ "Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977," Public Law 95-87,
~ August 3, 1977.
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of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency WQM program. Public Law
95-87 requires implementation of strong water pollution control in all coal
States, provides Federal grant funds for State regulatory program develop-
ment, partial Federal funding for control implementation and continuing
enforcement costs, and establishes an Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.
These provisions and requirements are so comprehensive that WQM agencies
in coal States may increasingly focus more 208 Program effort on control
of water pollution stemming from noncoal mineral industrial operations.
Mine-related water pollution includes all point and nonpoint source
pollutant contributions to receiving surface waters and ground waters,
resulting from mineral exploration, mine development, mineral extraction,
mineral processing, mineral transport, mineral storage and mineral waste
disposal. The example of mine-site hydrologic examination contained in
Appendix A will be found useful for understanding distinctions between point
sources and nonpoint sources as they are currently defined under the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Mine -related WQM program
efforts should be defined in response to recognized management and control
system needs.
Identification and assessment should determine which contributing
current and abandoned mine-related pollution sources, and the extent
to which such sources, interfere with achievement of water quality goals
and with protection of beneficial water uses.
State and areawide WQM agencies must assure that the necessary
institutional arrangements, management programs and control systems
are established to achieve water quality goals and to protect beneficial
water uses.
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Mine dewatering and mineral processing waste water discharges from
current operations are controlled as point sources either directly by
the Federal government (U.S. EPA) or through approved State regulatory
control programs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES); nonpoint sources of water pollution associated with all phases
of current mine -related industrial operations are to be controlled through
the use of Best Management Practices or BMP's. WQM agencies may
not be directly involved in design and application of the specific details
of preventive measures and control practices or BMP"s at individual
mineral industrial operations sites. This is so because the mining industry
will often play the biggest part in designing the specific details of preventive
measures and control practices for use at each site. The responsibility
of WQM agencies lies rather in seeing to it that a regulatory process
is established which is effective in identifying "Best Management Practices"
for each mine-related operation, and that those preventive measures and
control practices which are identified are also in fact utilized.
With respect to abandoned mine-related sources, the legal, institutional
and financial arrangements required for implementation of water pollution
abatement programs hold the key to success more often than supporting
engineering and water quality data. Abandoned mine program efforts must
emphasize direct abatement of water pollution, but must be integrated
with other objectives, such as aesthetics, land productivity restoration,
economic development, public safety, etc., if programs are to gain adequate
political support.
WQM planning for new mine-related sources involves identification
of potential contributing sources, assessment of future pollutant impacts
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on receiving surface water and ground water quality goals and beneficial
uses, and development of management and control system strategies
designed to achieve effective prevention and control.
Continuing management and WQM planning processes are to be developed
which provide effective on-going control of mine-related sources, anticipate
and deal with new source prevention and control needs, and coordinate
mine-related management and control systems with all other aspects of
the overall WQM program.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 A WQM PROGRAM FOR MINE-RELATED SOURCES
1.1 Requirements and Definitions 1-1
1. 2 Commercially Mined Minerals 1-4
1. 3 Mine -Related Pollutants 1-4
1. 4 Mine -Related Pollution Sources 1-7
1. 5 General Forms of Mine-Related Water Pollution 1-7
1. 6 Focusing WQM Work on Control/Management System Needs.. . 1-10
2. 0 EXISTING SOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT
2.1 Purpose 2-1
2. 2 Identification and Assessment Tasks 2-1
3.0 CURRENT SOURCE CONTROL
3.1 Introduction 3-1
3. 2 Overview of Mine-Related Control Systems 3-3
3. 3 Current Source WQM Tasks 3-8
3.4 Control System Implementation and Continuing
Water Quality Management 3-16
4.0 MINE-RELATED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.1 Identification of BMP's in a Control System Context 4-1
4. 2 Basic Objective and Approach to BMP Application 4-2
4. 3 General Control Principles and Examples of Specific
Preventive Measures and Control Practices 4-3
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Page
5. 0 ABANDONED SOURCE ABATEMENT
5.1 Introduction 5-1
5,2 Abatement Program Tasks 5-3
5. 3 Abatement Program Implementation 5-17
6. 0 NEW SOURCE POLLUTION CONTROL PLANNING
6.1 New Source WQM Program Requirements 6-1
6. 2 Pollution Control Planning for Routine New Sources 6-3
6. 3 Pollution Control Planning for Major New
Mine-Related Industrial Developments 6-13
7. 0 CONTINUING MINE-RELATED WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
AND WQM PLANNING
7.1 Operational Mine-Related Pollution Control and
Water Quality Management 7-1
7. 2 Continuing WQM Planning 7-3
APPENDIX A
EXAMPLE-MINE SITE HYDROLOGIC EXAMINATION A-L
APPENDIX B
DISCUSSION OF WATER QUALITY IMPLICATIONS OF MINE-
RE LATED INDUSTRY ACTIONS B-l
SELECTED REFERENCES R-l
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LIST OF FIGURES
2.1 Task Outline for Identification and Assessment of Existing
Mine-Related Pollution Sources 2-2
2.2 Diversity Index Values Upstream and Downstream from a
Typical Zinc Mine -Mill Complex 2 -23
2. 3 Comparison of Monthly Erosion Index or Energy-Intensity
of Rainfall During the Average Year in Eastern Kentucky,
the Western Florida Panhandle and Western North Dakota 2-27
4.1 Cross Section of Diversion Ditch Applications 4-15
4. 2 Reducing Surface Water Infiltration to Buried
Pollution-forming Materials 4-25
4. 3 Cross Section of Typical Contour Backfill 4-29
4. 4 Typical Section Slope Drain Installation 4-33
4. 5 Typical Flexible Slope Drain Installation 4-34
4. 6 Typical Installation of Pipe Buried in Fill Slope 4-35
4. 7 Block-cut Method 4-39
4. 8 Block-cut Method: Stripping Phase 4-40
4. 9 Block-cut Method: Backfilling Phase 4-40
4.10 Block-cut Method: Controlled Placement of Spoil,
Steps 1, 2, and 3 4-43
4.11 Block-cut Method: Controlled Placement of Spoil,
Steps 4, 5, and 6 4-44
A-l Representation of a Hypothetical Current Surface
Mining Operation A-2
A-2 Water Inputs and Point and Nonpoint Source Water and
Pollutant Transfer Pathways From a Hypothetical Current
Surface Mining Operation A-3
B-l Typical Sequence of Activities Associated with Conduct
of a Surface Mining Operation Shown in Relation to Local
Temperature, Local Streamflow, Local Rainfall Quantity
and Local Rainfall Energy-Intensity (Erosive Force) B-7
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LIST OF TABLES
Page
1.1 Classification of Commercially Mined Minerals 1-5
1. 2 Mine-Related Pollution Source Areas by Phase of Operation 1-8
5.1 Mine Drainage Pollution Abatement and Control Techniques 5-8, 9
B-l An Example Classification of Mine-Related Functional and
Nonfunctional Operations Site Features by Stages B-2
B-2 Estimated Environmenental Effects of Coal Surface Mining B-4
B-3 Rating of Environmental Effects of Discrete Coal
Surface Mining and Reclamation Operations B-5
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CHAPTER 1.0
A WQM PROGRAM FOR MINE-RELATED SOURCES
1. 1 Requirements and Definitions
1.1.1 Requirements
Section 201(c)of Public Law 92-500, "Federal Water Pollution
Control Act Amendments of 1972, " requires that "To the extent practicable,
waste treatment management shall be on an areawide basis and provide
control or treatment of all point and nonpoint sources of pollution, including
in place or accumulated pollution sources. "
Section 208(b)(2)(G) states that "Any [208] plan prepared under [a
continuing State or areawide waste treatment management planning process]
shall include, but not be limited to, a process to identify, if appropriate,
Uiine -related sources of pollution, including new current and abandoned
Surface and underground mine runoff, and set forth procedures and methods
(including land use requirements) to control to the extent feasible such
Sources. "
Each State or designated areawide water quality management agency
will formulate a work program for mine-related pollution source identi-
fication and control. These programs will vary in level of detail, in
content and in timing according to local conditions, such as:
1. The characteristics of past, present and future mine-related
industrial activities;
2. The water pollution impact potential of mine-related sources; and
3. The features and effectiveness of any existing control system(s).
Initially, State and areawide WQM agencies must judge whether mine-related
sources of water pollution within each of their planning jurisdictions deserve
attention as a part of their water quality management planning process.
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1-2
Mineral industrial operations take place within all fifty States.
Because of the nature and characteristics of mining and associated mineral
industrial operations, potential surface water and/or ground water pollution
contributions (principally in the forms of sedimentation and mineralization)
should normally be expected. Unless there is definite proof that mine-related
operations do not in any way adversely affect protection and propagtion of
fish, shellfish and wildlife, or other beneficial water uses, mine-related
sources of water pollution and hydrologic impacts should be examined within
the framework of WQM programs in every State.
1.1. 2 Definitions
Point Source --a mine-related point source is "any discernable,
confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe,
channel, ditch, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure (or) container .
from which pollutants are or may be discharged, " from any mine-related
area or facility under the effluent guidelines and other applicable provisions
of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The
applicability of federal point source effluent limitations to mine-related
discharges is addressed in effluent guidelines and standards rules and
regulations published in the Federal Register by the U. S Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Nonpoint Source --a mine-related nonpoint source is a contributing
source resulting from mineral industrial activity which causes surface water
and/or ground water pollution beyond those point source pollutant discharges
which are specifically controlled by NPDES permit. Mine-related nonpoint
sources (not controlled by NPDES permit) include all pollutant contributions
other than NPDES discharges from active, inactive and abandoned surface
and underground mine sites, mine spoils, mine haul roads, mineral exploration
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operations, mineral transport systems, mineral processing, storage, waste
disposal and other affected areas. Also included are surface areas,
ground water and hydrologic systems affected by underground mining.
Best Management Practices --a Best Management Practice (BMP)
is defined in EPA's "Guidance for State and Areawide Water Quality
Management Program Development" (November 1976), as:
"... a practice, or combination of practices, that is
determined by a State (or designated areawide planning
agency) after problem assessment, examination of
alternative practices, and appropriate public participation
to be the most effective, practicable (including technological,
economic, and institutional considerations) means of pre-
venting or reducing the amount of pollution generated by
nonpoint sources to a level compatible with water quality goals.
Identification -- the recognition of specific mine-related sites
or classes of mine-related sites as contributing sources or potentially con-
tributing sources of water pollution and/or hydrologic system disturbance.
Assessment -- the act of determining the effects or impacts of
mine-related pollutant contributions and hydrologic system disturbances
from identified mine sites or mine -related source subcategories on achieve -
ment of water quality goals and protection of beneficial water uses.
Mine-related Source Subcategory --a group or class of sites
or sources of mineral industrial operations defined for convenience in
conducting WQM work.
National Water Quality Goal -- Section 101 of Public Law 92-500
identifies the national goal as "water quality that provides for the protection
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and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for
recreation in and on the water ... by July 1, 1983 .. .. "
1. 2 Commercially Mined Minerals
Commercially mined mineral commodities may be classified and
described according to any of a number of different mineral classification
systems. The minerals list in Table 1.1 is based with minor modifications
on Standard Industrial Codes (SIC).
Each of these mineral commodities occurs under a differing range of
geologic, hydrologic, climatic and surface topographic conditions. Separate
point source effluent discharge guidelines (including in some cases "zero
discharge" requirements) have been proposed or adopted as NPDES require-
ments for control of mine dewatering and process waste water discharges
associated with mining and milling or processing of all commercially
extracted minerals which produce confined point source waste water
discharges. NPDES discharge limitations for point sources in each mineral
subcategory are applicable to mineral industrial operations in all States.
Nonpoint source controls may similarly be needed to prevent or to
control other forms of surface water and/or ground water pollution from
areas affected by operations associated with all commercially mined minerals.
1.3 Mine -related Pollutants
Specific pollutants associated with mining, milling and processing of
each mineral commodity may be identified generally from EPA's effluent
guidelines development documents. For greater detail, identification can
be made from various mine-related water pollution reports and research
studies, Federal, State, local and industrial water quality records and
experienced experts.
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Table 1.1 • Classification of Commercially Mined Mineral!
1. Mineral Fuels and Carbonaceous Minerals
Anthracite Coal
Bituminous Coal
Sub-Bituminous Coal
Lignite
Natural Gas
Geothermal Energy
Petroleum
Oil Shale
Tar Sands
Peat
Carbon Dioxide
2. Metallic Minerals
Iron
Copper
Lead
Zinc
Gold
Silver
Bauxite
Ferroalloys
Cobalt, Columbium, Managanese, Nickel
Chromium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tungsten
Mercury
Antimony
Beryllium
Platinum
Tin
Titanium
Rare Earth (elements 39 and 57-71}
Zirconium
Uranium
Radium
Vanadium
3. Nonmetallic Minerals
a. Dimension stone
Granite Limestone
Quartz Quartzite
Dolomite Marble
Slate Sandstone
b. Crush stone
Calcareous Marl
Granite
Traprock
Marble
Sandstone
c. Sand and gravel (construction)
d. Industrial sand
e. Asphaltic minerals
Bituminous limestone
Oil impregnated diatomite
Gilsonite
Limestone
Dolomite
Shells
Quartzite
Quartz
f. Other nonmetallic minerals
Asbestos
Wollastonite
Lightweight aggregate
minerals
Perlite
Pumice
Vermiculite
Mica
Sericite
Barite
Fluorspar
Salines
Borates
Potash
Trona ore
Phosphate rock
Rock salt
Sulfur (Frasch)
Mineral pigments
Lithium minerals
Sodium sulphate
Bentonite
Fill and base materials
Fire Clay
Fuller's earth
Attapulgite
Montmorillonite
Kaolin
Ball Clay
Feldspar
Kyanite
Magnesite (naturally occurring)
Shale and other clay minerals
Shale
Aplite
Talc
Soapstone
Pyrophyllite
Steatite
Natural abrasives
Garnet
Tripoli
Diatomite
Graphite
Miscellaneous nonmetallic minerals
Jade
Novaculite
Top soil
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Stream parameters and specific pollutants that have been monitored
in association with control of mine-related water pollution include:
Surface water flow Sulphates
Ground water movement Hardness (cations except
Temperature alkali metals)
pH Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Acidity Specific conductance
Alkalinity Salts
Dissolved oxygen (DO) Metals (most widely monitored)
Turbidity Iron
Total suspended solids (TSS) Aluminum
Total dissolved solids (TDS) Manganese
Zinc
Contaminants which have been monitored to a lesser extent include:
copper, cobalt, nickel, arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium,
sulfur, uranium, cyanide, antimony, ammonia, radium 226, fluoride,
phosphate, phenol, nitrogen, and molybdenum.
Aquatic biological criteria relate more directly to the water quality goal
and impacts on goal achievement than do chemical parameters. Alternative
biological field study methodologies are described in "Biological Field and
Laboratory Methods for Measuring the Quality of Surface Waters and Effluents",
EPA 670/4-73-001, July 1973.
Each mineral that is mined, milled or processed within each State or
local area will be characterized by its own particular set of potential surface
water and/or ground water pollutants. Asbestos fibers, radioactive con-
taminants, fugitive dust, or thermal pollution may present problems in
some areas. Amendments (fertilizers, etc. ) applied for revegetation and
final reclamation on some surface mine sites, as well as milling and
processing reagents, may expand the list of pollutant parameters to include
BOD, nitrates, and others dependent upon specific conditions and amendment
and reagent constituents. Chemical properties of mineral deposits closely
associated with each mineral mined in each locale will also directly
influence the types of pollutants which may be present.
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1. 4 Mine-related Pollution Sources
Contributing mine-related point and/or nonpoint sources of water
pollution can occur at the majority of sites affected by each of the phases
of mineral industrial operations. These phases include mineral exploration,
mine development, mineral extraction, mineral transport, mineral milling
and processing, mineral product storage and mineral waste disposal.
Minerals that were mined in other States or imported from overseas may
be processed in a local area. Secondary transport of mineral products
from primary storage areas to final users, or to raw material storage
areas, may produce water pollution contributions similar to those associated
with mine-related sources. However, these contributions may be more logically
treated as a part of the examination of each of the various user industrial
categories, such as coke, steel, utilities, cement, fertilizers, brick,
etc. Regardless of where the lines of distinction are drawn between mine-
related and user industry pollution contributions, Section 201(c) of Public
Law 92-500 which instructs WQM agencies to provide for "control or
treatment of all point and nonpoint sources of pollution" will remain
applicable and will be unaffected by the definitions of categories. Table
1. 2 contains a list of the types of pollution source areas
associated with each of the phases of mineral industrial operations.
1. 5 General Forms of Mine-related Water Pollution
Water pollution from mine-related sources includes all discharges
controlled by NPDES permit, as well as other surface water and ground
water pollutant contributions which result from mineral exploration,
mine development, mineral extraction, processing, transport, storage
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Table 1.2 - Mine-related Pollution Source Areas by Phase of Operation
Phase of mineral
industrial operation
Mine-related pollution
source areas
Deposit/source description
Exploration phase
Development phase
Extraction phase!'
Transportation phase
Processing phase
Waste disposal phase
Storage phase
Exploration sites (drill pads,
excavations, etc.)
Mine development
Open pit mine (rock
quarries, copper, iron, etc.)
Deep mine (mostly metallic)
Deep mine (coal, etc.)
Strip mine (clay, sand and
gravel, etc.)
Strip mine (coal, phosphata
etc.)
Mineral extraction wells
Mineral transportation
systems (including
loading/receiving areas)
Ancillary milling and process-
ing plant areas
Mineral waste disposal
areas
Roads, shafts, facilities,
wells, etc.
Thick, concentrated
deposits, usually sup-
porting long duration
operations, above or
below ground water
level
Irregular and vein deposits,
above or below ground
water level
Extensive continuous bed
deposits, above or below
ground water level
Irregularly occurring, ex-
posed, or shallowly over-
burdened deposit
Extensive overburdened bed
deposit above or below
ground water level
Petroleum, natural gas, brine,
geothermal, leaching and
solution mining wells
Mine haul roads, pipelines,
conveyors, truck, rail and
barge transport systems
Screening, crushing, washing
and concentration, and
benefaction operations
Refuse and tailings piles,
tailings ponds, slime ponds,
injection wells, etc.
Crude and processed
mineral storage areas
I/
Temporary or long term
storage sites at processing
area or at raw material
storage area near user
manufacturing/industrial/
utility site
Open pit mining, deep mining, strip mining and well extraction are listed
as examples (there are also a number of important variations of each of
these methods). Other forms or methods of mining not listed include placer
mining, hydraulic mining, in-situ leaching and combustion, auger mining,
and geothermal energy extraction.
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and waste disposal. Mine-related point sources include milling and
processing 'plant waste water discharges (processing phase) and mine
dewatering discharges (extraction phase). Mine-related nonpoint sources
on the other hand can be associated with any or all phases of mineral
industrial operations.
The characteristics of specific nonpoint sources will be determined
by the manner of interaction of the mine-related operations with internal
and the surrounding external hydrologic systems. The types of pollutants
and modes or circumstances of transfer will be related to the mineral
being mined, the associated beds being disturbed, the specific methods of
mining, and associated processing, transport, storage and waste disposal.
Some of the various forms of mine-related nonpoint water pollution are:
1. Suspended solids carried by immediate surface runoff;
2. Dissolved solids carried by immediate surface runoff;
3. Suspended and dissolved solids in proximate subsurface
water seepage;
4. Dissolved solids in ground water recharge;
5. Dissolved solids in ground water discharge;
6. Uncontrolled contributions from mine-related point sources:
a. High instantaneous concentrations of regulated pollutants
in excess of effluent discharge guidelines, but falling
within the NPDES instantaneous and daily average
discharge limitations;
b. Unregulated minor contaminants in point source discharges
which are not specifically included under NPDES effluent
limitations;
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c. Untreated mine dewatering discharges during or*
following major storm events (NPDES point source
treatment systems may be bypassed during storm
events of greater than a 10-year, 24-hour intensity);
7. Reclaimed mine area and undisturbed area drainage diversion
discharges; and
8. Surface water and ground water contamination and degradation
induced by mine-related hydrologic disturbances and imbalances.
Some examples of mine-caused hydrologic disturbances are:
modification of surface water flow regimes downstream from
mineral industrial operations; increased or decreased ground
water recharge; lowering of ground water levels as a result
of mine dewatering; reduction of base flow in surface water
courses; and inducement of salt water intrusion or interaquifer
flows resulting in fresh water aquifer contamination. Hydrologic
modifications can not only degrade surface water and ground
water quality but may produce damaging modifications to aquatic
habitats of fish, shellfish and wildlife.
1. 6 Focusing WQM Work on Control/Management System Needs
Mine-related water pollution control and management system needs
must be recognized before the work plan is formulated if WQM efforts are
to focus on the most appropriate issues. Control and management system
needs and associated WQM requirements will depend upon:
1. The characteristics of past, present, and future mineral
industrial operations within the planning area;
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2. The water pollution impact and impact potential of contributing
mine-related pollution sources on achievement of water
quality goals and protection of beneficial water uses;
3. The accomplishments of past and continuing mine-related
WQM efforts; and specifically
4. The adequacy and effectiveness of established regulatory
control systems and pollution abatement programs.
1.6.1 WQM Advisory Committees
WQM advisory committees should be used to determine the most
appropriate focus for the initial mine-related WQM work plan. EPA's "Public
Participation Handbook for Water Quality Management" (June 1976), and
"Working Effectively with Advisory Committees in Water Quality Planning"
(May 1977), suggest an organizational structure for advisory committees.
A properly constituted Mine-related Water Pollution Committee or a general
committee (such as a Nonpoint Pollution Committee) consisting of mining agency
and industry representatives should be able to identify and examine existing
information and recommend the most appropriate orientation for the mine-
related WQM work plan. The advisory committee approach also will insure
that the content and timing of mine-related WQM efforts are consistent with
all other aspects of the overall WQM program in each State or local area.
Mine-related WQM objectives should be consistent with and supportive of the
wildlife management plans, programs and goals of agencies of each of the
levels of government operating within the State or local planning jurisdiction.
Representatives from the following groups could serve on a
mine-related advisory committee:
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1. State Government:
- Geologic Survey
- Bureau of Mines
- Division of Reclamation
- Water Pollution Control (mining)
- Solid Waste Management (mining)
- Fish and Game Department
- Abandoned Mine Abatement Program Office
2. Industry:
- Mining Industrial Trade Associations
- Mining Companies
- Mining Industrial Services Companies
- Mineral-using Industrial Firms
3. Federal Government:
- U. S. Department of Interior
- U. S. D. I. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
- U. S. D. I. Geological Survey
- U. S D. I. Bureau of Mines
- U. S. D. I. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U S. D. I. Bureau of Land Management
- U. S. D. I. National Park Service
- U. S. D. I. Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration
- U. S. D.A. Forest Service
- U. S. D. A. Soil Conservation Service
- Energy Research and Development Administration
- Department of Defense Land Management Offices
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Army Corps of Engineers
1.6.2 WQM Program Areas
Mine-related WQM work can be classified into several program
areas, each of which is discussed separately within other chapters of this
guidance:
1. Existing source identification and assessment (Chapter 2);
2. Current source control system development (Chapter 3);
3. Identification of BMP's in a control system context (Chapter 4);
4. Abandoned source pollution abatement program development
(Chapter 5);
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5. New source identification, assessment, and control strategy
formulation (Chapter 6); and
6. Continuing water quality management and WQM planning
process development (Chapter 7).
The advisory committee (s) should be charged with the task of
sifting through existing data bearing on abandoned, current and new mines,
mine-related operations, and mine-related water pollution. The committee (s)
should set priorities for WQM efforts among the various mine-related
WQM program areas.
In advance of decisions regarding work plan orientation an
examination of mine -related control and management system needs should
provide appropriate responses to the following series of questions:
o How much effort within the WQM program should be
focussed on identifying existing mine-related contributing
sources (current and abandoned) and assessing their
impacts on surface water and ground water quality and
water quality goal achievement and beneficial use protection?
o How much relative emphasis should be given to current source
vs abandoned source WQM program orientations ?
o How complete and effective in preventing and controlling
water pollution from all contributing point and nonpoint sources
is any existing regulatory control system ?
It may be particularly difficult for a WQM agency to obtain
an objective answer to questions of control system effective-
ness, especially if the WQM agency is itself a part of the
government organization which administers the control
program. Both mine -related regulatory control authorities
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1-14
and representatives of regulated industries may be reluctant
to admit to control system deficiencies or to recommend
any critical examination of existing control system effective-
ness as a part of the WQM program.
o Are the most effective of available preventive measures and
control practices (BMP's) being identified and used to prevent and
control water pollution from all contributing mine-related sources?
o Is there any established pollution abatement program for
abandoned mines which could be used to achieve water quality
goals defined through the WQM program ?
o How much WQM program effort should be focused on new
sources of water pollution from future mineral industrial
operations ?
o What emphasis and importance should be attached to
development of an effective continuing water quality
management process and an ongoing WQM planning program?
Chapters 2 through 7 deal with each of the major mine-related
WQM program orientations (i. e. existing source identification and assess-
ment, current sources, abandoned sources, new sources, etc. ). Important
aspects of WQM are identified, pertinent issues are discussed, and, where
appropriate, work plan tasks and task sequences are suggested.
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CHAPTER 2.0
EXISTING SOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT
2.1 Purpose^
The primary purpose for conducting an identification and assessment
(I and A) of existing currently active, inactive and abandoned sources in
association with a State or areawide WQM program is to place the impacts
from various mine-related water pollution sources in proper perspective
on an areawide basis with one another and with the impacts of pollutants
from all other categories of contributing sources (municipal, industrial,
agricultural, silvicultural, construction, urban, etc. ).
In addition, I and A should produce information useful for determining
the most appropriate emphasis, detail, and timing for other aspects of
mine -related WQM program work.
I and A effort should determine which contributing current or abandoned
mine-related pollution sources and the extent to which these sources
interfere with achievement of water quality goals and with protection of
beneficial water uses.
2.2 Identification and Assessment Tasks
Figure 2.1 illustrates a task sequence for I and A of existing mine-related
water pollution sources. The general task sequence is shown within the
larger framework of other WQM data bases and analysis modules to illustrate
that mine-related WQM tasks are never performed in isolation from
other aspects of State and areawide WQM programs.
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FIGURE 2.1- TASK OUTLME FOfl BENTBCATON AND ASSESSMENT OF EXBTMG HUE-RELATED POUUTDN SOURCES
NATURAL AND CULTURAL
DATA BASE
AND INTERACTIVE
ANALYSIS MODULE
• CLIMATIC
• GEOGLOGIC
• EOAPHIC
• TOPOGRAPHIC
• DRAINAGE
• GROUNDWATER
HYOROLOGIC
• • LAND USE
• PMOTOGRAMETRIC
SUBSYSTEM
• VEGETATION
< OUTPUT FROM MINE-
RELATEDEFFORT
MIKI DELATED SOURCE
SimCATEGORIJATION
(SOURCE CLASSIFICATIONS REFLECT POLLUTION
HA/AHO AND I)C LIVERY POrENTIALI
REVISION AND SPECIFICATION OF
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
(INCORPORATING NPS DESIGN FLOW CONDITIONS
PRELIMINARVEFFLUENT LIMITED AND
WATER QUALITY LIMITED
SEGMENT IDENTIFICATION
< INTERACTION >
< INPUT TO MINE
RELATEDEFFORT
< INTERACTION >
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
OF
MINC-RELATEO SOURCES
MINE-RELATED POLLUTANT
LOAD ANALYSIS
EXISTING
WATER QUALITY DATA INTERPRETATION
FOI1 MINE-RELATED POLLUTANT LOAOINdS
< INPUT TO MINE-
RELATED EFFORT
EXISTING SOURCE
POLLUTANT LOAD AND LOAD IMPACT DESCRIPTION
(UNDER CRITICAL DESIGN CONDITIONS)
RELATIVE DESCR'PTION
or
IMPACTS/HAZARDS
e INTERACTION
QUANTITATIVE DESCRIPTION
OF
POLLUTANT LOADINGS/THANSPORT/IMPACTS
CRITICAL MINE-RELATED
LOAD1AMPLINO
FOR CALIBRATION/VERIFICATION
OUTPUT f ROM
MINE- RELATED
EFFORT >
DESCRIPTION Of RELATIVE MINE-RELATED
SOURCE(POILUTANTDELIVEHWR£CEIVING
WATCH IMPACTS (QUALITY. LIFE. USES)
LOADING MODEL
1
TRANSPORT MODEL
WATER QUALITY IMPACT MODEL
(YIELDING IN-STREAM POLLUTANT
CONCENTRATIONS!
BENEFICIAL USE IMPACT
ESTIMATION
(INTERACTION)
C INTERACTION >
DESCRIPTION OF MINE-RELATED
POLLUTANT IMPACTS
ON RECEIVING WATER DUALITY GOALS
AND BENEFICIAL USES
WATER QUALITY
DATA BASE
AND
ANALYSIS MODULE
POINT SOURCE LOADS
AND DESCRIPTIONS
QUALITY AND FLOW
DATA
• NONPOINT SOURCE
LOADS AND DESCRIPTIONS
• MONITORING AND
SAMPLING SUBSYSTEM
• MODELS AND
ANALYSIS SUBSYSTEM
• GROUNDWATER DATA
• BENEFICIAL WATER USES AND
QUALITY/QUANTITY
REQUIREMENTS
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2-3
Mine-related I and A can use information from the larger water
quality data base and the larger natural and cultural information base
which routinely must be prepared as a part of every WQM program.
Mine-related WQM efforts may also produce outputs which can be
usefully input into, and integrated with, other phases of the overall
WQM effort. For example, estimates of mine-related sediment loadings
could be put into the larger water quality data base, and integrated and
compared with sediment loadings estimates from agricultural sources,
silvicultural sources, construction sources, etc.
2.2.1 Subcategprization of Mine-related Sources
Mine-related pollution sources should be subcategorized
(classified) according to similarities in pollution hazard and risk potential
and specific types of pollutants generated. Distinctions normally should
be made among mine-related operations involving different mineral
commodities, except in those cases where the pollutants generated are
the same or very similar in composition, range of concentration, and
mechanisms of delivery. Separate subcategories will usually be recognized
for abandoned sources, inactive sources, and active sources; in addition
to deep mine sources, surface mine sources, well extraction sources,
mineral processing sources, mineral transport sources (roads, railroads,
etc. ), mineral storage sources, and mineral waste disposal site sources.
Subcategories may be established for convenience in dealing
with institutional as well as with technical distinctions among sources.
For example, active metallic mines on Federal lands could be classified
separately from active mines on State or on private property.
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2-4
Most mineral industrial operations sites will contribute
pollutants to surface and/or ground waters through nonpoint source
mechanisms. Even those mineral extraction and processing sites which
are characterized by mine dewatering and process waste water point
source discharges, controlled under NPDES permits, will often contribute
pollutants simultaneously through nonpoint source mechanisms.
When recognition of numerous mine source subcategories
becomes too difficult some groups can be merged into a smaller number
of combined classes.
In some cases, the pollutant impact from particular mine
source subcategories on surface water and ground water quality and
beneficial uses may be only suspected or poorly understood and ill-
defined. Under these circumstances, research efforts can be conducted
on a limited scale into the nature and extent of water pollution impacts,
with emphasis on developing information needed to design effective controls.
I and A must show WQM personnel whether water pollutant
contributions from a suspected source (s) interferes with achievement of
water quality goals. For example, a University of Missouri study team
suspected the occurrence of high concentrations of trace metals along both
active and inactive vehicular transport routes. These routes were used
to haul lead sulfide concentrate in open trucks from lead mine/mill complexes
to smelters in southeastern Missouri. The study team later concluded
that "the transportation of lead ore can contribute very markedly to the
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contamination of the environment and measures should be taken to reduce
II
this source of contamination to a minimum. "~
A matrix cross index classification approach frequently has
been used to make distinctions in mine-related source impact potential.
Under this system basic mine source subcategories can be further
subdivided to reflect variations in specific site conditions and character-
istics known to be closely associated with pollution hazard and risk
potential. These include chemical properties of geologic strata, percent
slope, type and degree of revegetation, proximity to receiving stream,
relation to ground water recharge zones, etc.
Appropriate consideration should be given to the practical
problems of source identification and class distinction. The numbers
and locations of sources in some classes which are particularly difficult
to locate and distinguish could be estimated, unless judged to be of
extreme individual importance to the WQM effort. This could be true
especially of abandoned deep mines, where records of portal locations
and extent of workings do not exist.
2.2.2 Revision of Water Quality Standards
WQM agencies in every State are responsible for evaluating
and revising Water Quality Standards every three years. EPA's "Quality
Criteria for Water" (EPA-440/9-76-023)has been made available to the
States for guidance in developing their. Water Quality Standards. They
should incorporate all mine-related pollutants to protect beneficial water
I/ Wixson, Bobby G., Jennett, Charles J., et.al. "An Interdisciplinary
Investigation of Environmental Pollution by Lead and Other Heavy Metals
from Industrial Development in the New Lead Belt of Southeastern Missouri. "
p. 357, Volume I. Interim Report for the Period May 1972 to June 1974.
University of Missouri. June 1974.
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uses from mine-related pollutant impacts. As protected uses, each drainage
segment may include water supply, propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife,
water recc ation and agricultural, industrial and other specific use categories.
Revised water quality standards could include stochastic criteria for runoff-
related nonpoint source contributions, development of high flow criteria,
seasonally variable standards, and biological standards, including bioassay
criteria.
The standards established should take into account stream biology
and sensitivity of aquatic life, benthic deposit transport and resuspension
impacts, and additive or synergistic and cumulative pollutant impacts,
as well as locally critical design flow conditions. Critical design conditions
should represent flow conditions of greatest potential stress to fish, shellfish
and other aquatic life; the traditionally used low flow/high temperature
conditions may not represent the design state of greatest stress, particularly
from runoff-related nonpoint sources. As an example, stream sampling
during rainstorms on streams affected by lead mining and milling in south-
eastern Missouri showed that peak concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc
and copper occurred during the peak runoff period. This implied that
large masses of mine-related pollutants were being carried in runoff
2/
during heavy storms. Where instantaneous in-stream pollutant levels
may not be objectionable, cummulative effects on aquatic life may justify
efforts to prevent or control even low-level pollutant contributions. Most
of the commonly monitored pollutants associated with mining, milling,
and processing of domesticly produced mineral commodities were listed
earlier in Chapter 1. 0, Section 1. 2.
2/ Ibid. p. 231
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2-7
2.2.3 Segment Identification
Data pertaining to identified effluent limited and water quality
limited drainage segments should be obtained from the larger water
quality data base referred to earlier in Figure 2.1. Any total nonpoint
source load estimates and mine-related point source load estimates
already available should be used. Areas of mine-related point and
nonpoint source water pollution impact, indicated from segment classi-
fication data, can be used in mine-related source identification, location
and impact description efforts. Where general segment classification
data is not already available, water quality limited and effluent limited
segments can be identified in connection with subsequent mine-related
source location and description, existing water quality data interpretation
and water quality and beneficial use impact estimation efforts.
2.2.4 Location and Description of Potentially Contributing
Mine-Related Sources
Idlentification Methodology
The method chosen for identifying mine-related pollution
sources through location and description must be appropriately suited to:
1. The numbers and diversity of contributing mine-related
sources;
2. The approach and level of detail selected for assessment
analysis;
3. The availability and format of existing mine-related
source location and description data;
4. The characteristics and the distinguishing features of
each mine -related source subcategory which is to be
recognized and described;
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2-8
5. The physical distribution of various mine-related sources
within a given planning area, as well as the overall
area size;
6. The availability of various means of data acquisition suited
to local requirements for mine-related source location
and description, and the practicability of various means of
transforming and manipulating existing data; and
7. The availability and completeness of State regulatory
records, Federal NPDES permit information, local county
records, Federal lands mining data, and other mine-related
source information within the planning jurisdiction.
The U. S. Bureau of Mines and Soil Conservation Service publish
information gathered from State agencies and local groups on the number
of inactive and abandoned underground mines and acreages of land disturbed
by surface mining in each State, and the acreage of land utilized by the
mining industry for extraction and waste disposal by mineral commodity
and State.
Some of the various information sources which can be used for
mine-related source location and description are:
1. Existing general and special purpose maps, including
Economic Geology maps published by State Geological
Surveys, U. S. Geological Survey maps, State and
regional land use maps, and industrial mine-related
operations maps;
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2-9
2. Regulatory mineral extraction and mineral waste disposal
permit system records, including Federal Land Management
Agency, NPDES, State, and local sources;
3. Mine location data from public safety and occupational
health and safety programs at the Federal and State levels;
4. County and local municipality information;
5. Previously conducted special purpose mining inventory studies;
6. Mineral activity directories and tabulations;
7. Aerial photography and other forms of remote sensor data
from which mining information can be interpreted; and
8. Onsite ground observation and low altitude aerial reconaissance.
WQM agencies should be careful in their use of large volumes of variably
formatted mining and minerals data for locating mine sources, as such
approaches can become bogged down in time-consuming data manipulation
operations. A fresh, new mine inventory effort, based upon a single
uniform data source with just the detail of information required, may
deliver better survey results.
Numerous surveys and studies have been conducted which show
the types and numbers of potentially contributing mine-related pollution
sources within various regions of the country. The following EPA publications
contain numerous citations of such studies and surveys:
1. "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities, " EPA-430/9-73-01L
2. "Criteria for Developing Pollution Abatement Programs for
Inactive and Abandoned Mine Sites, " EPA-440/9-75-008.
3. "Inactive and Abandoned Underground Mines, " EPA-440/9-75-007.
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2-10
4. "Methods for Identifying and Evaluating the Nature and
Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants, " EPA-430/9-73-014.
5. "Water Pollution Caused by Inactive Ore and Mineral Mines,
A National Assessment, " EPA-600/2 -76-298.
A general overview of mine-related water pollution problems is
presented in "Water Pollution From Mining Activities in the United States",
which was published in June of 1970 by EPA's predecessor agency, the
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration.
EPA has also published a series of studies dealing with definition
of ground water pollution, including that caused by mine-related sources,
within several major geographic regions of the United States. These are:
1. "Ground Water Contamination in the Northeast States, "
EPA-660/2-74-056.
2. "Ground Water Pollution in the South Central States, "
EPA-R2-73-268.
3. "Ground Water Pollution in Arizona, California, Nevada
and Utah," EPA-16060ERU12/71.
4. "Ground Water Pollution Problems in the Northwestern
United States, " EPA-660/3-75-018.
Utilization of Remote^ensor Data
This country's largest aerial photographic and remote sensor
data distribution center is the EROS Data Center operated by the U.S.
Department of Interior, Geological Survey in Sioux Falls. South Dakota.
Most of the aerial photography and imagery (including Skylab and LandSat
data) acquired by the various Federal government agencies is catalogued
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2-11
or held by the EROS facility. The mailing addresses of several Federal
agencies that maintain aerial photographic data storage, processing, and
supply'facilities are given below:
1. User Services
EROS Data Center
Sioux FaUs, South Dakota 57198
2. Aerial Photography Field Office
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
U S. Department of Agriculture
2222 West 2300 South
P. O. Box 30010
Salt Lake City, Utah 84125
3. Soil Conservation Service
U. S. Department of Agriculture
Room 5118 South Building
Washington, D. C 20250
4. Forest Service
U. S. Department of Agriculture
Room 1201 S RPE
P. O. Box 2417
Washington, D. C. 20013
5. National Ocean Survey
Room 526 - Building #1
U. S. Department of Commerce
6001 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20852
Remote sensor data may be used to locate various mine-related
sources (i. e., mineral extraction sites, mineral waste disposal areas,
access and haul roads, etc. ) at the level of interpretive detail consistent
with the information requirements of the selected assessment analysis
approach. The presence of mine-related sources may simply be recognized,
or sources may be more carefully identified and delineated. Source area
conditions may be described, and pollution hazards and impacts analyzed
through associated field studies.
Manual remote sensor data interpretation techniques are likely
to deliver the most practical results when pollution hazard analysis is
to be performed concurrently with simple mine source identification.
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2-12
Computer-assisted interpretive techniques may be useful for development
of generalized land cover/land use information and for specific identification
and general description of sources when mine targets are sufficiently large
and contrast with their surroundings in the spectral region(s) represented.
Pollution hazard analysis may be performed using automated techniques
if the prequisite topographic, hydrologic, geologic and climatic data has
been digitized, and a suitable interactive geocoded data manipulation system
and multi-variate pollution hazard analysis model exists. Scale, vintage
(year acquired) and format of aerial photography or imagery for mine
source location must match with similar characteristics of other forms
of data with which mine source information is to interact during assessment
analysis. Other data forms may include underground mine location maps,
topographic maps, geologic maps, surface water drainage maps, ground
water hydrology maps, mine permit records, etc.
Remote sensing information is well suited to multiple category
rural land use classification. This system estimates pollution load contri-
butions by the number of acres within each land use class which contributes
to pollution loads in each drainage segment. This method of analysis
integrates the mine-related source assessment effort with construction,
silviculture, agriculture, and other pollution source categories.
2.2.5 Interpretation of Existing Water Quality Data
Maximum use should be made of existing water quality data to
describe the present extent and severity of mine-related water pollution.
New data may be needed to correct serious limitations and deficiencies in
existing data; but to the extent feasible, emphasis in new data acquisition
should be placed on improved monitoring in support of ongoing regulatory
and abatement programs, rather than on monitoring as a part of problem
assessment studies.
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Section 5.3.2 of the EPA publication "Methods for Identifying
and Evaluating the Nature and Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants",
discusses empirical aids for interpretation of routinely acquired data used
to monitor water quality for mine-related pollution information. One of
the principal drawbacks to using standard water quality data is the variability
of the combinations of storm events and base flow conditions often represented
in the pollutant concentration data. Frequent lack of matching flow information
is yet another common limitation to existing data.
Use of existing water quality monitoring data to define the
extent of mine-related pollution represents a stream-to-source approach.
It can be used at the basin or sub-basin level in those instances involving
conservative pollutants where background loads can be accurately estimated
and where sufficient in-stream water quality data are available. Pollutant
load estimates are prepared using this stream-to-source approach based
upon the difference between total loads (observed) and background loads
(estimated). This approach can be used when the actual numbers and
locations of mine sources have not been identified, or when too few mine
sources exist to permit use of loading functions.
Existing ground water quality data and information on surface
water/ground water relationships should be used to provide an initial grasp
of mine-related ground water pollution impacts. The quantity and the accuracy
of existing data dealing with ground water may frequently be less than that
available for surface water because ground water data are more difficult
to obtain and to interpret. Useful information about ground water quality
monitoring and mine-related impacts is included in these recent EPA
publications: "Rationale and Methodology for Monitoring Ground Water
Polluted by Mining Activities, " EPA-680/4-84-003, July 1974; and "Monitoring
Ground Water Quality: Monitoring Methodology, " EPA-600/4-76-026, June 1976,
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2-14
2.2.6 Assessment of Existing Source Impacts
Assessment of mine-related source impacts must be accomplished
using both biological and chemical information. Even when gathering of new
aquatic biological information is not a part of the assessment effort, the
effects of various pollutant concentrations on aquatic life must be known or
estimated to define impacts on the water quality goal ("water quality that
provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife . .
etc. ).
Alternative Approaches
The best method for I and A of existing mine-related water
pollution contributions will depend upon the extent, diversity, and distri-
bution of mine-related sources. The methodology used for I and A will
also be influenced by the present availability of mine-related pollution data
arid by the presence of especially hazardous or toxic contributions from
particular mine source subcategories.
Identification and assessment may be accomplished either by:
1. Description of the relative hazards and impacts on
beneficial water uses (largely in other than quantitative
terms) created by various mine-related pollution sources;
oc by
2. Quantitative description of pollutant loadings, transport,
resultant concentrations and impacts through use of loading
models, transport models, water quality impact models,
and beneficial use impact estimation methods.
Quantitative description of impacts assumes that quantitative
information is essential to WQM program requirements, that adequate data
can be obtained, and that models and analytical procedures have been identified
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2-15
which will yield reliable results under the conditions prevailing within
a given planning jurisdiction.
A. Quantitative Impact Description
Existing mine-related pollutant loads and load impacts
may be determined either by quantitative description or by description
of relative pollutant hazards and effects on beneficial uses. This section
discusses the quantitative approach.
EPA's "Areawide Assessment Procedures Manual, " EPA-
600/0-76-014, describes the currently available alternatives for pollutant
load modeling. These include empirical methods, deterministic methods,
stochastic methods, and simulation methods. Empirical methods, such
as the Universal Soil Loss Equation, the Modified Musgrave Equation,
and various loading functions represent the most easily applied methods.
However, application of any of the empirical methods requires local
calibration and testing or verification. Quantitative assessment is also
not complete until the loading model outputs have been input to suitable
pollutant transport and water quality impact models. Instream water
quality impact models must include procedures to accept loadings
data from loadings and transport models, and must deal with instream
water pollutant reactions, transformations, and interactions.
Most quantitative loadings estimation and water quality
impact modeling procedures deal with broadly generalized instream con-
centrations in large watersheds rather than with specific temporally
varying near-site effects upon receiving water quality and aquatic life.
Only the most extensive and the most pervasive forms of mine-related
pollution usually eminating from hundreds or even from thousands of
individual contributing sources can be identified and assessed using very
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2-16
generalized methods. A current or abandoned mine-related source or
source subcategory which may be contributing only a minute proportion of
the total load within a given major watershed, may, at the same time,
be responsible for devastating impacts on aquatic life within a few small
stream tributaries or short drainage segments located within that watershed
Estimation of mine-related sediment loads may be attempted
using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Sediment loads may be
estimated to a limited extent for individual mine-related sources and
storm events, but procedures are best developed for estimating annual
average values from large numbers of sources in aggregrate. Both
general average and specific source estimates of sediment loadings from
mine-related sources can be unreliable, in part because of uncertainty
in the sediment delivery ratio. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE),
developed primarily for application to croplands east of the Rockies,
may be applied to mine-related sources only when coefficients have been
empirically derived to reflect local source conditions.
Some of the specific sub-tasks for which quantitative mine-related
pollutant load information may be used as a part of an assessment effort
include:
1. Description of existing receiving water quality conditions
with consideration of pollutant inputs from all point and
nonpoint source categories;
2. Description of point and nonpoint mine-related source impacts
on receiving water quality at both high and low flow design
states;
3. Comparison of mine-related pollutant impacts with other
category pollutant impacts; and
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2-17
4. Comparison of the impacts of various mine-related source
subcategories with one another.
The present state-of-the-art may not permit reliable results
to be obtained from the input of quantitative mine-related pollutant loadings
data into mass balance water quality impact models. Stream segment
models, estuary models, impoundment models, and stormwater analysis
models have very limited or no capability to deal with nonsteady state,
variable flow, variable pollutant input conditions characteristic of inter-
mittant point sources, and runoff-related nonpoint sources. Nonpoint sources
are particularly variable, and methods of quantitatively estimating loadings
of sediment, acid, heavy metals, and other pollutants are crude at best.
Modeling is recommended only within carefully chosen
watersheds where available mine-related pollution load input data and
analytical procedures are judged adequate to yield realistic results.
Even though mine-related source modeling presently offers only
limited opportunity for application, the predictive power of models for des-
cribing in-stream conditions under critical flow stages makes them a very
useful WQM tool. Efforts to develop adequate models for future use should
be encouraged.
Modeling offers many advantages for predicting the results
of different abatement or control strategies, or for identifying conditions
which might produce violations of water quality goals. Efforts to develop
reliable models to support the continuing WQM process deserve support,
even though modeling often may not be used in the initial WQM program
work. Estimates of impacts from abandoned sources are better suited to
the modeling approach than are estimates of current source impacts.
Active strip mine pollutant loads and haul road loads contributed during
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2-18
active operations are examples of particularly dynamic sources which can
change rapidly. Abandoned mine sources are good examples of sources
whose contributions may decay slowly over a period of many years and
may be more easily modeled.
At least three general options can readily be identified for
estimating pollutant loadings during existing source identification and
assessment. These include the loading function approach, the representive
sampling approach and the site specific analysis approach.
1. Loading Function Approach - The loading function
approach is most appropriate when numerous and extensive mine-related
sources exist within a very small number of subcategories (low source
diversity). This approach normally is applied at the basin or major
sub-basin watershed level. The number of contributing sources in each
mine-related subcategory must be estimated. Loading functions represent
a source-to-stream approach which is applicable only where sufficient
prior research and water pollution data for the same or similar watershed
areas are available.
Use of generalized loading functions for estimating mine-
related pollution contributions is explained in the EPA publication, "Loading
Functions for Assessment of Water Pollution from Nonpoint Sources, " EPA-
600/2-76-151, May 1976. Loading functions for estimation of sediment,
acid mine drainage, heavy metals and radioactivity from mine-related
sources are presented and discussed.
Generalized estimates of surface and underground coal
mine pollution loads were developed and presented in EPA's "National
Assessment of Water Pollution from Nonpoint Sources, " October 1975.
This study contains estimates of the numbers of surface and deep active and
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abandoned coal mines by major and minor basins across the United States.
It also includes numerical estimates of sediment loadings in tons per day
and acid mine drainage loadings in pounds CaCO equivalent per day.
3
2. Representative Sampling Approach - The representative
sampling approach will be found to apply more often than any other general
method. This approach represents a "middle ground" between loading
functions and site specific analysis. It applies where there are not enough
mine-related sources in any one subcategory to permit realistic use of
loading functions, but where sources are still too numerous to permit
site specific analyses.
The representative sampling approach requires
subcategorization of existing mine-related sources to reflect similarities
in pollutants and pollution delivery potential. A very limited number of
sample sites are selected from the mine source population within each
subcategory or from the population of stream segments or watersheds
influenced by contributions from each subcategory. Chemical and/or
aquatic biological information may be acquired at each representative
sampling site. Most specific mine sources are individually located, but
the number of sources in particularly difficult to locate subcategories
(i.e., abandoned deep mine discharges, etc. ) may be estimated from
existing data or limited sampling.
Where representative watersheds impacted by
mine-related contributions are selected for sampling, samples should
be taken proportional to the hydrograph flow pattern to provide an estimate
of peak pollutant concentrations and total loadings for each pollutant.
Water quality data which has been selectively acquired
from specific mine-related sources or watersheds to be representative of
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pollutant loads contributed by other similar sources or of watersheds
impacted by other similar source assemblages may be used to estimate
contributions from unmeasured sources or impacts on unmeasured
watersheds. Relative pollutant delivery or impact potential, within
different subcategories can be comparatively ranked. Estimates of
mine-related source loads and impacts can be compared with the
estimated pollutant contributions and impacts from sources within other
categories (agriculture, etc. ) Once loads from various mine-related
source subcategories have been estimated, limited storm event discharge
and runoff sampling can be used to validate estimated loads and relative
magnitudes of pollutant contributions.
3. Site Specific Analysis Approach - Site specific analysis
may be used as the principal method for existing source identification and
assessment in those cases where relatively few sources are present within
a very limited number of source subcategories (low source diversity). This
method may be especially appropriate for assessing the impacts of particu-
larly hazardous or toxic pollutants. Normally site specific analysis involves
chemical water quality monitoring for loading and transport model cali-
bration and verification, aquatic biological data collection, and loadings,
transport, and in-stream pollutant load impact modeling. Water quality
monitoring involving large numbers of individual sources should normally
be avoided. Monitoring efforts of this kind are more likely to be
appropriate as a part of advanced implementation efforts (such as in
watershed engineering feasibility studies conducted under abandoned mine
pollution abatement programs) than as a part of the initial WQM program
effort.
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Under circumstances involving large numbers of abandoned
mine sources, monitoring normally should be directed toward description
of a relatively small number of the most severe contributing sources.
B. Relative Water Quality and Beneficial Use Impact Description
This approach to assessment involves comparing the impact
potential of various mine-related source contributions with one another,
and with the impacts of contributions from sources in other categories.
Relative pollution hazard description is based on an
understanding of the interrelationships among mine-related pollution sources,
pollutant delivery mechanisms, and receiving water and aquatic life
characteristics.
Biological information is required to determine mine-related
pollutant impacts on beneficial water uses. Limited quantitative water quality
data (chemical) can be used in conjunction with biological observations to
support judgements of the degree of impact pollutants from various mine
source subcategories have on aquatic life. Biological information frequently
may be more useful for defining pollution problems than chemical water
quality data; this is so because biological data relates directly to beneficial
use impact, while water quality data, once gathered, must still be further
analyzed and interpreted for its beneficial use implications.
Aquatic community diversity indexes have been used to
advantage to measure impacts of mine-related pollutants on aquatic life.
More exhaustive and sophisticated bioassay work such as the study of
pollutant accumulations in plant cells and animal tissues probably should
not b? undertaken by WQM agencies except where more general information
has identified specific problems requiring in-depth examination and where
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the results may have some bearing on revision of Water Quality Standards
and/or on the choice of appropriate preventative and control practices.
Aquatic life forms most often sampled in past studies have included
insects, fish, crustaceans, diatoms, algae, and bacteria. The health
and survival of many non-aquatic life forms, such as beaver, waterfowl,
etc., are also closely linked to water and water quality as habitat require-
ments, but examinations of mine-related water quality and hydrologic
impacts on habitats of these animals have rarely been attempted.
Figure 2. 2 illustrates the results which were obtained by
II
Ryck (1973 r using Wilhm's benthic community diversity index to guage the
impact on aquatic life of pollutant contributions from lead mine-mill
complexes in the streams of southeastern Missouri. All streams receiving
pollutant contributions from lead mine-mill complexes showed lower diversity
index values (below 4) after mining was started, while all control receiving
streams were found to have higher indexes (greater than 4) prior to the
initiation of mining operations. In this example, both the total number and
the types of benthic organisms in receiving streams declined once mining
began.
Once the type and relative magnitude of the pollution problem
is understood, mine -related source identification information provides a
sound grasp of how widespread or pervasive the problem may be in relation
to other point and nonpoint source problems.
An analysis of relative hazards presented by pollutant
contributions from various mine-related sources should be adequate to:
I/ Ryck, F J. Jr. "Water Quality Survey of the Southeast Osark Mining
Area, 1965-71. " Interim Report, State of Missouri. Project Study W-2
No. 1. 1973.
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ID
X
UJ
O
z
55
DC
UJ
5
FIGURE 2.2 - DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM FROM
A TYPICAL ZINC MINE-MILL COMPLEX [AFTER RYCKll973)J.
7
6
4
3
MINIMUM VALUE FOR UNPOLLUTED
OZARK STREAMS
ro
DOWNSTREAM FROM DISCHARGES AND RUNOFF CONTRIBUTIONS
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
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2-24
1. Separate relative magnitudes of pollutant contributions
from abandoned versus current mine-related sources;
2. Separate relative magnitudes of pollutant contributions
from easily controlled sources versus very difficult
and expensively controlled or abated sources;
3. Provide a realistic comparison of the adverse impacts
of mine-related pollutant contributions with the effects
of contributions from other water pollution source
categories;
4. Contribute to identification of the specific receiving
waters segments, recharge zones, etc., most severely
impacted by mine-related pollutants;
5. Provide a basis for sound judgement of the relative
importance of mine -related pollutant impacts within
the framework of the larger WQM effort; and
6. Identify the most productive direction and focus for
further mine-related WQM effort.
Mine-related source characteristics within each subcategory
should be described in relation to their exemplification of relative pollution
hazards. Quantitative load estimation procedures such as the empirical
Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), which may not yield very accurate
absolute pollution load estimates, may nevertheless aid in understanding
how pollution potential may vary with specific changes in mine-related
sources and local climatic conditions.
Mine -related source characteristics which may be important
for definition of relative pollution potential include:
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1. Type of mineral commodity involved;
2. Type of mineral industrial operation, and method of
operation used;
3. Age and activity status of the mine-related operation;
4. Preventive water pollution control measures previously
applied or presently being applied during the operation;
5. Topographic situation of the mine-related source;
6. Internal relief and hydrologic interaction of mine sources
with surrounding surface drainage and ground water;
7. Mine source surface runoff and water infiltration properties;
8. Affected area surface cover characteristics, especially
vegetation;
9. Physical interactions of deep mine workings with any
existing oil, gas, or water wells, and with the surrounding
ground water;
10. Opportunities for chemical weathering of minerals exposed
in underground workings and for transport of soluble products;
11. Geochemical composition and physical properties of the
associated geologic and soils materials;
12. Geologic structure, faults, joints, etc., and arrangement
of mineral strata in relation to site hydrology; and
13. Drainage density and proximity of mine-related sources
to receiving waters.
Climatic and hydrologic parameters closely associated with
pollutant delivery mechanisms to receiving waters include:
1. Amount and timing of rainfall and snowfall;
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2-26
2. Time variation of temperature;
3. Time variation of rainfall energy/intensity and the
erosion index;
4. Growing season duration and timing of associated
phenological plant responses;
5. Time variation of wind speed and direction;
6. Location and characteristics of ground water aquifer
recharge zones;
7. Ground water depth, strata permeability, and
hydrologic flow characteristics; and
8. Time variation and quantities of runoff in the
vicinity of the mine source.
Climate, and especially rainfall, is often the single most
important driving force in producing nonpoint source pollution. One of
the most important characteristics in determining rainfall's potential as
an erosion and sediment transport mechanism is the energy-intensity (El)
of any given storm or the rainfall-erosivity index (R) which represents
the annual sum of all individual storm El values at a given location.
Figure 2. 3 compares the monthly rainfall erosion index
occuring during the average year at three locations in the United States.
The three areas are the Florida panhandle, eastern Kentucky, and
western North Dakota. The mean annual precipitation in the Florida area
is 55 inches to 60 inches per year; in the Kentucky area, 45 inches to 48 •
inches per year; and in the North Dakota area, 12 inches to 16 inches per
year.
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FIGURE 2.3 - COMPARISON OF MONTHLY EROSION INDEX OR ENERGY-INTENSITY
WJAMFALLJMJHNGJM A\^ERAJJEJEARJN EASTERN KENTUCKY,
THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA^
ro
i
ro
FLORIDA PANHANDLE
EASTERN KENTUCKY
WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA
I/ AFTER "PREDICTING RAINFALL-EROSION LOSSES FROM CROPLAND EAST OF
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS", AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 282, ARS-USDA. MAY 1965.
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2-28
In eastern Kentucky, the highest monthly erosion index
of rainfall occurs during a six week period in July and August. This
same erosion index level is reached or exceeded in the western Florida
panhandle in the six months between May and October. The highest monthly
erosion index value which occurs in August in North Dakota is reached or
exceeded all year long in the Florida area, except during a one month
period in November/December. The highest monthly erosion index value
in the Florida panhandle is six times larger than the highest value reached
during the year in North Dakota, and more than twice the highest monthly
value reached in eastern Kentucky. Snowmelt runoff may present a sub-
stantial potential for causing erosion especially in some of the semi-arid
regions of the country. The effects of snow melt runoff may partially
offset the effects of lower rainfall-induced erosion in some areas.
Rainfall information is available from the U.S. Department
of Commerce National Weather Service (formerly the U.S. Weather Bureau),
both in the form of raw precipitation data and in the form of analytical data
about storm frequencies and durations at weather stations across the country.
Important descriptive characteristics of receiving surface
waters and ground water include:
1. Diversity and composition of aquatic plant and animal
life, and susceptibility to being impacted adversely
by mine-related pollutants and hydrologic modifications;
2. Premining surface water and ground water quality and uses;
3. Recreational water use demands and their timing;
4. Time variability of water flow volume;
5. In-stream water quality;
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2-29
6. Background water quality characteristics;
7. Bedload, benthic deposit; and bank characteristics;
8. Point source loads and flows;
9. General variation of water regimen with timing of
individual storm events;
10. Water pollutant load contributions from other source
categories (construction, agriculture, etc. );
11. Chemical composition of precipitation; -aid
12, Interrelationships among runoff, infiltration, ground
water levels, flow, recharge and discharge and
surface water flow (hydrologic balance).
Other aids to an analysis of the interrelationships among
water pollutant contributions and their impacts (sources, transfer mechanisms,
receiving waters) can be found in reservoir and catch basin sediment studies,
new or previously documented biological impact and aquatic surveys, and
recorded citizen complaints concerning adverse mine-related water quality
impacts on recreation, aquatic life and other beneficial uses.
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CHAPTER 3. 0
CURRENT SOURCE CONTROL
3.1 Introduction
Current mine-related sources of surface water and ground water
pollution include all point and nonpoint sources associated with all active
mineral industrial operations and with all inactive operations controlled
by Federal, State, or local regulations.
State WQM agencies (in some cases, areawide agencies) are responsible
for seeing to it that control systems for current mine -related sources are
developed and implemented which are sufficiently effective on-the-ground
to achieve water quality goals and to protect designated beneficial water uses.
WQM agencies can work toward improved control of current sources
by initially working together with existing mine-related regulatory authorities
and with representatives of the mine-related industries. Point source water
pollution control authorities (Federal or State) exist in every State; these
authorities principally regulate under NPDES mine dewatering and process
waste water discharges from mineral extraction and mineral processing
and milling operations. Control of mine-related nonpoint sources in any
phase of mineral industrial operations must be accomplished through use
of Best Management Practices (BMP's). A regulatory process must be
established within the framework of each mine-related control system
which either specifies, or is effective in identifying BMP's appropriate to
each mine-related nonpoint pollution source. The control system process
must also assure that those preventive measures and control practices
which are identified are. in fact, utilized and that water quality goals are
achieved and beneficial uses protected. Translating general control
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3-2
principles into specific practices within a regulatory control system
framework is discussed further in Chapter 4. 0.
WQM agencies should carefully examine existing control systems in
an attempt to answer the following basic questions:
1. Are all sources controlled ?
Are all contributing mine-related sources of surface water and
ground water pollution which are understood to threaten
achievement of water quality goals subject to control under
any existing system(s)?
2. Are controls effective ?
How effective in controlling and preventing water pollution from
mine-related sources is any existing control system (s)?
3. Are BMP's specified or identified?
Are "Best Management Practices" appropriately specified or
identified for preventing and controlling pollution from mine-
related nonpoint sources ?
4. Is legal authority adequate?
Does adequate legal authority exist to assure proper identification
and to require use of appropriate BMP's ?
5. Are controls technically adequate?
Has that legal authority been translated into a technically
adequate regulatory process and/or into specific regulations
which can achieve effective control? (Effective control implies
control sufficient to achieve water quality goals and protect
beneficial water uses).
6. Aro organization, support and enforcement adequate?
Doos the control system provide adequate budgetary support,
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administrative support, institutional arrangements, manage-
ment, coordination and enforcement to achieve effective control ?
3.2. Overview of Mine-related Control Systems
Existing mine-related control systems which have been established
by Federal, State and local units of government often were designed to
.serve objectives other than or in addition to water pollution control. Some
of these other objectives are aesthetics, rights of adjacent and affected
land owners, maintenance of land productivity, protection of terrestrial
ecological values, prevention of subsidence, public and occupational safety
and health, collection of severance taxes, proper recording and transfer
of mineral rights and payment of royalties, and reclamation, and postmining
land use. Reclamation is consistent, but not synonomous, with water
pollution control. Reclamation more directly serves the goal of returning
previously mined lands to productive use, that it does the objective of pre-
venting and controlling surface and ground water pollution during and
following mining.
Existing mine-related laws and regulations may apply separately to
each phase and to each aspect of mineral industrial activity or they may
apply to all or to varied groupings of such activities. Mine-related operations
are also sometimes regulated under broad control systems which encompass
sources in several categories. For example, an erosion and sediment
control law may be applicable to agricultural, silvicultural, and construction
sources as well as to mine-related sources. Some of the mineral industrial
subcategories which may be regulated under existing control authorities
include surface mining, open pit mining, deep mining, oil and gas production,
coal mining, metallics mining, nonmetallics mining, mineral waste disposal,
mineral storage operations, mineral transport operations, mineral milling
and processing operations, etc.
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Each mine -related control system (or BMP identification and use
enforcement process) which serves nonpoint source water pollution control
objectives achieves its own peculiar balance between mine-related law,
regulations, field practice guidelines, specific permit stipulations, and
requirements identified through field inspections. While legislative bodies
may enact generalized laws for preventing and controlling water pollution,
they usually authorize a management agency to establish more detailed rules
and control regulations. When developing rules and regulations, designated
management agencies may still not define the small details of mine -related
practices and require their use across-the-board. More often these agencies
rely upon a pre-operations planning and regulatory permit process to identify
specific preventive measures and control practices or BMP's to be applied
to each mineral industrial operation. This approach is likely to be effective
however, only where sufficient numbers of well-qualified technical personnel
are employed in the regulatory permitting program to thoroughly review each
permit application to identify appropriate and effective preventive measures
and control practices for each site, and/or to check the appropriateness and
effectiveness of those proposed by the operator. Adequate site specific physical
and biological data must also either be supplied by the operator with each permit
application or be collected by the regulatory agency to support a meaningful
site specific control needs and BMP identification process. Use of these
specific BMP controls can then be required by making conformance to the
details of the approved mine -related operations plan (reclamation plan,
drainage control plan, etc. ) a mandatory part of permit compliance. Authority
should also allow the regulatory authority to identify and require compliance
with additional or modified preventive measures and control practices arising
from on-site inspections and evaluations conducted during the course of the
operation. Management agencies frequently provide mine operators and mine
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3-5
inspectors with field guidance manuals that contain detailed descriptions
and specifications for desirable mining practices and control techniques
and methods. While information in field manuals may not be mandatory,
it is intended primarily to aid the industry and mine inspectors in designing
and judging the adequacy of controls installed at each operation.
Some specific details of mine-related field practice which are generally
applicable and important for control at all sites may be included directly in
control law or be specifically required in rules and regulations. For example,
gradient limitations for steep slope surface mining and for mine haul roads
in mountainous terrain are common examples of specifically regulated
details of field practice.
Mine-related water quality control programs originally conceived for
control and prevention of some form of chemical pollution or toxic contamination
(such as surface discharges of acid mine drainage), may require revision and
expansion to properly address all aspects of affected area erosion and sediment
control, ground water contamination, and hydrologic balance disruption.
No mine-related regulatory control program will be 100 percent effective in
preventing and controlling all adverse water quality and hydrologic impacts. The
effectiveness of control systems will vary with the specific makeup of the mineral
industry; the field conditions at mine-related operations sites; the adequacy of
laws, rules, and regulations; the state of control technology; and the institutional,
administrative, financial, and management aspects of the control system.
The concept of "risk" may provide a useful perspective for designing
regulatory control systems. Even when the control system is oriented toward
accomplishment ^of pollution control objectives, specific techniques and measures
applied by the industry, and/or the whole control system, may fail to achieve
intended objectives. Before changing an existing control system or implementing
a new system, WQM agencies should attempt to judge the percentage of full
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3-6
effect!venesss achieved by the existing system or likely, to be achieved
by the new system.
The WQM agency should estimate the failure rate that may be expected
from steep fill slopes on mine haul roads, from dike walls surrounding
mine waste disposal areas, or other mine-related features, if they are
designed and built under current industrial practice.
When a government agency permits mine -related operations with
controls that fail to achieve stated objectives for prevention and control
of adverse water quality impacts, these operations may generate unplanned
and unacceptably high levels of pollution.
An effective and adequate mine-related regulatory control system
is one which:
1. Includes a regulatory process designed to identify or specify
and require use of BMP's to prevent and control water pollution
from all contributing mine-related nonpoint sources;
2. Specifically assigns control responsibility for postmining pollution
and the terms of release from that responsibility in such a way
as to preclude any further growth in water pollution loadings and
adverse beneficial use impacts from abandoned mine-related sources
3. Regulates all contributing mine-related point sources, and all those
nonpoint pollution sources which cause adverse water quality and
beneficial water use impacts. These may include contributing
sources associated with all areas affected by mineral exploration,
mine development, mineral extraction, including surface effects of
deep mining, mineral transport, mineral processing, mineral
storage, and mineral waste disposal;
4. Prevents and controls both surface water and ground water pollution,
chemical pollution (mine drainage), sedimentation, thermal pollution,
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3-7
fugitive dust sources linked to water pollution and mine-related
hydrologic disturbances which result in chemical pollution,
sedimentation or damage to aquatic habitat;
5. Incorporates an ongoing procedure for evaluation through chemical
and biological monitoring of the effectiveness of the control
system in achieving its stated control objectives related to
water quality, water quality goals and beneficial water uses;
6. includes a process for ongoing examination of new mine-related
practices and control techniques and a requirement for prompt
adoption of improved practices when they become sufficiently
well developed for widespread application;
7 Separates the mineral industrial promotion functions of government
from the regulatory responsibilities of the management agency
to avoid conflicts of interest;
8 Develops feedback mechanisms to continually redirect and focus
mine -related pollution control research efforts on the most significant
control problems;
9. Does not preclude local zoning action following State or other
governmental mine-related permit approval;
10. Provides penalties sufficient to discourage intentional violations
and makes mine operators responsible for correcting adverse hydro-
logic impacts, whether caused by willful violation or unforseen problems;
11. Includes provision for designating areas unsuitable for mine-related
operations or for denying individual permits if the uncontrollable or
inadequately controllable water quality and hydrologic impacts outweigh
mineral industrial, and other economic or social gains;
12. Incorporates a WQM process to examine the effects of each mine-related
operation in relation to existing sources, to future operations, and to
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other activities and contributions from all other source categories
impacting water quality. This process operates as a part of
the permit approval procedure for mine-related operations;
13. Assures regulatory agency control of mining methods insofar as
those methods affect prevention and control of surface and ground
water pollution and adverse hydrologic impacts.
14. Specifically assigns pollution control responsibility throughout
any and all periods of inactivity; and
15. Specifically addresses final disposition and continuing maintenance
of all roads, sediment basins, and other structures remaining
after mine-related operations are completed.
3. 3 Current Source WQM Tasks
The essence of WQM program work involves an objective evaluation
of on-the-ground effectiveness of existing control systems, identification
of specific deficiencies and limitations in those systems, and setting forth
definite plans and schedules for improvements and implementation of more
effective controls. Following is a brief description of the major tasks
involved in carrying out a current source WQM work program:
WQM Task - Perform a preliminary examination of existing laws, regulations,
and institutions applying to prevention and control of surface
water and ground water pollution from current mine-related
sources.
Examination of mine-related pollution control laws and institution
across physiographic provinces or multi-state mining districts
can help WQM agencies to compare regulatory controls in their
individual States and jurisdictions with those in other areas.
Examination of pollution controls and approaches being applied
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3-9
by other States with similar mineral industrial operations can
point useful directions for control system improvement.
WQM Task - Select one or more of the institutions which are active in
control programs to participate with the WQM agency in setting
up and carrying out a current source WQM work program.
WQM Task - Solicit involvement from State and Federal wildlife management
organizations to insure that mine-related WQM efforts are
defined consistent with and supportive of wildlife management
objectives, plans and programs.
WQM Task - Evaluate the effectiveness of the existing mine-related
regulatory control system(s) in prevention and control of
water pollution. Control system components include existing
laws, rules and regulations, institutional arrangements, and
administrative and management functions.
WQM Task - Analyze surface water and ground water hydrology of
representative mine-related sources which correspond to
previously identified pollution source subcategories.
(An example mine site hydrologic examination containing
point and nonpoint source descriptions is given in Appendix A )
WQM Task - Identify preventive measures and control practices for prevention
and control of identified surface water and ground water
pollution sources.
(Examination of mine-related industry actions with a view
toward recognizing, preventing and controlling adverse
impacts is discussed in Appendix B. )
WQM Task - Solicit involvement from the minerals industry in proposal
of preventive measures and control practices and in
estimation of costs and readiness for practical application.
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WQM Task - Classify proposed preventive measures and control practices
on the basis of their readiness and suitability for practical
application in the field.
WQM Task - Perform selective monitoring of current mine-related operations
to support judgments of the need for and effectiveness of
specific measures and practices.
WQM Task - Develop pollution control strategies for application to each
identified current mine-related source subcategory.
WQM Task - Estimate the effectiveness of the various control methods,
measures, practices and strategies for prevention and control
of current mine-related pollution contributions.
WQM Task - Identify regulatory control system deficiencies and technical
control limitations.
Deficiencies in the regulatory control system include all
contributing pollution sources that are presently un-
regulated or inadequately regulated and which interfere
with achievement of water quality goals and protection of
beneficial uses. Deficiencies also include those areas
where existing authority is not sufficient to permit appli-
cation of proposed control strategies. Technical control
of contributing pollution sources may be a limiting factor
where control techniques do not exist, where they are not
ready for practical application or where they are not
sufficiently effective to achieve adequate control.
Emphasis in research to control mine-related pollution
should be focussed on these technical control limitations.
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WQM. Task - Formulate alternative subplans for control of current
mine-related pollution sources in each recognized source
subcategory.
Discussion of Alternative Control Subplans
Several control subplan alternatives can be described and used
as points of reference in the process of subplan selection.
Three control system variations that may serve as comparative
references include: (1) the existing regulatory control system; (2) a
technology performance limited system incorporating the best preventive
measures and control practices currently available; and (3) a fully effective
control system which introduces land use controls as a means to prevent
pollution from inadequately controllable and presently uncontrollable current
mine-related pollution sources. Land use requirements represent a control
alternative which is applicable to new operations and future expansion of
current operations.
Description of the existing system should focus on uncontrolled and
inadequately controlled surface water and ground water pollution which is
characteristic of operation of the present system.
Description of a system which is limited only by present field
technology should focus on describing the improved control over pollution
sources possible through application of the best currently available preventive
measures and control practices, or BMP's. As a part of this system des-
cription, current pollution sources should be evaluated to determine which
are technically controllable, and which are inadequately controllable through
application of BMP's. Any analysis of the economic consequences to the
mining industry of applying BMP's and complying with control system
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provisions should be responsive to the specific concerns of those State.
and local institutions, mine-related industries, and interest groups who
will be affected most directly by BMP application. In the past, legis-
lative bodies engaged in drafting mine-related control laws have sometimes
specifically identified requirements, and in other cases have waived any
requirement, for demonstration of economic feasibility of compliance
with regulatory provisions, control practices and preventive measures
(BMP's) which would be required under the proposed control system.
Description of a fully effective control system should focus on
identification of land use requirements deemed necessary to prevent
mine-related pollution when point source controls and the best available
measures and practices will not be adequate to assure achievement of
water quality goals and protection of beneficial water uses. Achievement
of adequate control may prove to be unattainable not only because of the
technical limitations of treatment and BJMP application, but also because
of the performance limitations of regulatory control systems.
The environmental assessments of alternative control subplans
should focus on those few areas which are likely to exert the greatest
influence on subplan selection. In most instances, the water quality and
beneficial use protection implications, and the economic consequences of
subplan implementation, will be the key impact factors.
Land use requirements may relate to:
1. Prohibition of specific mine-related industrial operations in critical
or sensitive areas, often with periodic review requirements;
2. Designation of areas as fully, partially, or conditionally unsuitable
for specific mine-related industrial operations, often with periodic
review requirements;
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3. Individual mine-related operations permit denial procedures;
4. Local zoning requirements restricting mine-related land uses; and
5. Denial of mine-related point source discharge permits.
Point source permit denial procedures may emerge from WQM agency
compliance with Section 208(b)(2)(C)(ii) of P. L. 92-500, which requires
that "Any [WQM] plan prepared under [a continuing water quality management
planning] process shall include the establishment of a regulatory program
to regulate the location, modification and construction of any facilities
within ... [the State or areawide planning jurisdiction] which may result in
any discharge in such area. "
Section 302(a) further states that "Whenever, in the judgement of the
[U. S.EPA] Administrator [or of a State NPDES permitting authority],
discharges of pollutants from a point source or group of point sources,
with the application of effluent limitations required under Section 301(b){2)...,
would interfere with the attainment and maintenance of that water quality
in a specific portion of the navigable waters which shall assure protection
of public water supplies, agricultural and industrial uses, and the pro-
tection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish and wild-
life, and allow recreational activities in and on the water, effluent limitations
(including alternative effluent control strategies) for such point source or
sources shall be established which can reasonably be expected to contribute
to the attainment and maintenance of such water quality, "
Denial of permits for mine-related point source discharges or
establishment of effluent discharge limitations more stringent than those
required under Section 301{b)(2) may be necessary when such discharges
and associated nonpoint source contributions are located on water quality
limited segments, on existing high quality water segments or- especially on
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high quality waters which constitute "an outstanding National resource, such
as waters of National and State parks and wildlife refuges and waters of
exceptional recreational or ecological significance" where according to
Subpart 130.17(e)(2) of U. S. EPA Rules and Regulations "no degradation shall
be allowed". WQM agencies should look especially to State and Federal
wildlife management organizations for assistance in identifying National
resource waters, in determining the sensitivity of idigenous fauna to various
forms of water quality degradation and in recognizing potential impacts
on rare and endangered species.
Where control systems involving application of point source effluent
limitations more stringent than those required under Section 301(b)(2) of
P. L. 92-500, use of the best available preventive measures and control
practices or application of such measures and practices together with
supplementary land use requirements are determined not to be practicable
(i.e., following any of these alternatives would result in substantial and
widespread adverse social and economic impact), at least one or more
compromise control subplan alternatives will have to be prepared. Any
such compromise subplan must be judged sufficiently workable for the
responsible WQM agency to be confident of its implementation at the State
or local level. The subplan description should identify the specific mine-
related sources which may be inadequately controllable or uncontrollable;
it should describe possible violations of water quality standards and goals,
and resultant interference with protection of beneficial water uses. Established
procedures must be followed to seek exception to designation of national
goal water uses and standards in any water quality limited segment because
of pollution contributions from existing mine-related sources.
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3-15
No formal mechanism exists for downgrading water uses and water
quality standards which are presently being achieved to permit new
mine-related operations to take place which would result in uncontrollable.
or in inadequately controllable water pollution leading to violations of
water quality standards, or to failure to achieve water quality goals or
to protect designated beneficial water uses.
WQM Task - Compare pollution loads anticipated from alternative control
subplans with other nonpoint source pollutant load contributions,
and with gross allotments for nonpoint source pollutants on
water quality limited segments.
Earlier in the WQM process, gross allotments for
each nonpoint pollutant are to have been established for
nonpoint sources on water quality limited segments.
The gross allotment is the maximum nonpoint pollutant
load permissible under design flow conditions consistent
with meeting revised Water Quality Standards. No
widely accepted analytical process exists for allocation
of pollutant loads along each water quality limited segment
among point and nonpoint sources, and among different
nonpoint source categories. Decisions related to nonpoint
waste load allocation at this time are likely to be based
upon social and economic considerations rather than upon
the results of rigorous multiple category tradeoff analysis.
WQM Task - Select a current mine -related water pollution control subplan.
The selected control subplan should represent the most effective
implementable regulatory control system for preventing and
controlling all forms of mine-related water pollution. The
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3-16
chosen system will reflect the best preventive measures
and control practices currently available, supported by land
use requirements as needed, and tempered by State and/or
local social and economic constraints.
WQM Task - Prepare an environmental assessment for the selected current
mine-related control system(s) included in the selected subplan.
Environmental assessment is discussed in EPA's publication
entitled "Environmental Assessment of Water Quality Manage-
ment Plans" (October 1976).
The water quality and the economic implications (especially
the costs of regulatory program management and administration)
of the selected control subplan will have been described earlier
in the subplan preparation process. A broader environmental
assessment should be prepared for the finally selected subplan.
This effort may involve some expansion of water quality and
economic aspects as well as assessment of broader environ-
mental (aesthetic, air, noise, terrestrial ecology, etc. )
and social (development, economics, energy, etc. ) impacts.
The subplan that is selected becomes an integral part of the overall
WQM plan for the State or the areawide jurisdiction.
3. 4 Control System Implementation and Continuing Water Quality Management
Control implementation for current operations is likely to be phased
to avoid significant disruption to mineral production or to prevent other
economic or technical problems. Mineral industry operations with a short
term production life may be treated differently from those operations
expected to be active well into future years. The extent to which inactive,
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3-17
but not yet abandoned operations will be included in the current control
program will have been determined earlier in the subplan development
process. Definitions of, and distinctions between, current and new opera-
tions, and applicability of differing levels of control to each should be
set forth in the selected control subplan description.
Following formal implementation of the current source control subplan,
continuing water quality management and WQM planning would be initiated
(See Chapter 7.0). Continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of the control
system in-achieving its objectives and integration of WQM planning into
pre-operations planning and mine-related permit approval functions would
be a part of the continuing WQM process.
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CHAPTER 4.0
MINE-RELATED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
4.1 Identification of BMP's In a Control System Context
State and areawide WQM agencies will often not be directly involved in
design and application of the specific details of preventive measures and
control practices or BMP's at individual mineral industrial operations sites.
Instead, WQM agencies are responsible for assuring timely development,
implementation, and continuing operation of an overall control system or
process which is sufficiently effective to achieve water quality goals and protect
beneficial water uses. Such a control system or regulatory process will
include not only those components directly related to identification of specific
preventive measures and control practices, but also all other elements that
are needed to insure on-the-ground achievement of the control objectives.
These elements include adequate legal authority (especially for industrial
responsibility for all adverse hydrologic impacts during and following mining)
strong enforcement, sufficient numbers of well qualified technical personnel,
competent administration, sanctions for intentional violations, and other
types of regulatory program support.
The WQM agency is responsible for developing a control system or a
regulatory process which specifies or effectively identifies BMP's for each
mine-related operation and insures that those preventive measures and
control practices which are specified or identified are also in fact utilized.
In some instances, specific details of mine-related field practice may
apply so generally to all operations of a particular type, that their use
is required directly in mine-related control law, or in subsequently issued
rules and regulations. Across-the-board requirements for use of specific
practices may also emerge if permitting greater flexibility for dafinition
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4-2
of site specific practice requirements under a permit process leads to
abuses and ultimately to ineffective water pollution control.
4. 2 Basic Objective and Approach to BMP Application
The basic objective for design and application of BMP's for mine-related
industrial operations is:
To recognize and sufficiently control the onsite and
offsite pollution causing hydrologic consequences of
mineral extraction and all other associated and supporting
mine-related industrial operations so as to achieve water
quality goals and protect beneficial water uses.
This basic objective can be achieved by applying general control
principles to all mineral industrial operations within the framework of
an effective regulatory control system or process. General control principles
must be translated into specific preventive measures and control practices
peculiar to the circumstances found at each mineral industrial operations
site. This should result in attaining the desired level of control or the
best practicable level of control.
The actual arrangements or approaches for carrying out this process
are likely to vary from one area, or from one State to another. The
mining industry will often play the biggest part in designing the specific
details of preventive measures and control practices for use at each
site, but with varying degrees of input and participation from government
mine-related regulatory management agency personnel. In any event, design
of specific control practices at each site should be accomplished by competent
professionals who are knowledgeable about mine-related operations and
prevention and control of water pollution.
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4-3
4. 3 General Control Principles and Examples of Specific Preventive
Measures and Control Practices
Mineral industrial operations are so varied and diverse that no
single list of control principles can include all the situations that might
occur. However, this discussion of control principles touches upon
the majority of the areas of mine-related pollution control.
Commercially mined and processed mineral commodities range from
mineral fuels, such as coal and oil, to metallic ores of iron, copper,
and numerous other metals, to nonmetallic minerals like sand and gravel,
stone, phosphate, various clay minerals and others. A list of over 100
mineral industrial subcategories is found in Chapter 1. 0., Section 1. 2.
The varied types of mining include deep mining, strip mining, auger
mining, open pit mining, placer mining and dredging, well extraction, solution
mining, and others. Some of the various types of mining and phases of mineral
industrial operations were described previously in Chapter 1. 0, Section 1. 4.
Other phases of mineral industrial operations, in addition to mining, or mineral
extraction itself, include mineral exploration, mineral transport, mineral
processing, mineral storage, and mineral waste disposal. Each type of
mineral industrial operation will have its own sequence of activities, and
its own potential risk of water pollution during active operation and/or
following close-down. Specific preventive measures and control practices
must be designed for each different mineral industrial operation on the
basis of a hydrologic examination of the site and the hydrologic consequences
expected from all planned activities and sequenced operations (see Appsndix
A for an example of mine site hydrologic examination and Appendix B for
a discussion of water quality implications of mine-related industry actions)
This hydrologic examination involving recognition of hydrologic consequences
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4-4
and design of specific BMP's is an essential part of an effective pre-operations
pollution control planning effort.
Whether conducted entirely by mining industry personnel or by various
mixes of industry, and government, pre-planning for water pollution control
must result in development of a control plan which will convince the govern-
ment regulatory authority that the proposed mine-related industrial operation(s)
can be conducted without causing surface water or ground water pollution
that would interfere with beneficial water uses.
All adverse hydrologic consequences of mine-related industrial operations
on surface water and ground water quality require examination and appropriate
control. These may include some forms of hydrologic imbalance or disturbance,
as well as direct chemical and/or physical pollution. Specific measures and
practices must be designed to prevent or control all water pollution and
beneficial water use impacts, including those stemming from both point
and nonpoint sources. Proper selection and application of BMP's may
provide at least a partially effective control mechanism for unregulated
storm overflow from point source treatment systems. Storm overflow is
exempted from compliance with effluent discharge limitations under NPDES.
Translation of general control principles into specific preventive
measures and control practices involves identification or design of BMP's
reflecting the best available prevention and control.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency published a report in
October of 1973 entitled "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control
Pollution From Mining Activities" which was intended to provide a general
overview of specific mine-related pollution control techniques, and to "point
the direction for further detailed inquiry" by State and areawide vVQM
agencies, their designates, the mining industry and other parties.
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4-5
The continuing mine-related water quality control and management
Process, which is discussed in Chapter 7.0, must provide for an ongoing
evaluation of the effectiveness of the regulatory control system and the
specific control practices being applied within its framework for meeting
Water quality goals and protecting beneficial water uses. As mine-related
Pollution control technology advances, the control system must recognize
a^d insure implementation of improved and increasingly effective water
Pollution prevention and control practices as they become ready for practical
field application.
4. 3.1 Control Principles
General control principles which should be applied in selection and
design of specific preventive measures and control practices are listed.below.
1. Choose Least Hazardous Methods.
Choose mine-related operating methods which minimize pollution
causing hydrologic disturbance and which generate the least
potential water pollution hazard (see page 4-9).
2. Manage Water.
Plan mineral industrial operations so as to jmanage water
entering, moving through, and editing from ^11 affected
surface or subsurface areas. Proper water 'management
often includes minimizing inflow of surface water or ground
water into affected areas (see page 4-13).
3. Control Erosion and Trap Sediment.
Use the best combination of at-source erosion and sediment
control techniques to control erosion and sediment loss from
all affected and disturbed areas and to prevent offsite transport
(see page 4-16).
4. Segregate Water From Toxics.
Reduce the amount of water and the length of time that water comes
into contact with pollution forming materials; toxic, acid forming,
etc. (see page 4-18).
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4-6
5. Collect and Treat Runoff When Other Approaches Fail.
Consider collection and treatment of nonpoint source runoff,
seepage, and percolation when other at-source control approaches
prove to be inadequate to achieve control objectives (see page 4-20).
6. Quickly Stabilize Pis Uirbed Areas.
Stabilize and protect all disturbed areas which present a potential
for contributing pollutants as contemporaneously as possible with
conduct of mine-related industrial operations, including mineral
exploration, mine development, extraction, transport, processing,
storage, and waste disposal (see page 4-22).
7. Properly Store Minerals and Dispose of Mineral Wastes.
Store mined minerals and processed mineral products, and dispose
of all mineral wastes so that pollution of surface water and
ground water by wind action, runoff, seepage or percolation
(leaching) is effectively prevented or controlled (see page 4-24).
8. Correct Pollution-Causing Hydrologic Disturbances.
Use measures designed to restore premining hydrologic conditions
or to correct hydrologic disturbances which may be responsible
for causing surface water or ground water pollution or adverse
beneficial use impacts during or following mine-related operations
(see page 4-28).
9. Prevent and Control Pollution From Roads.
Insure that access and haul roads are constructed, maintained,
and closed so as to control or prevent water pollution related
to mass movements, erosion, and offsite transport of sediment
(see page 4-31).
10. Avoid Disturbing Stream Beds. Stream Banks and Natural Drainways.
Avoid disturbing or constructing roads within stream beds, banks
or natural drainways and drainage channels, or using such
drainages for vehicular access (see page 4-36).
11. Use Stringent Controls in High Risk Areas.
Recognize particularly high risk pollution hazard situations and
sensitive areas, and design especially stringent preventive
measures and control practices which are adequate to prevent
or control pollution under these circumstances. Such special
situations might include mine-related operations conducted:
on alluvial valley floors; on steep slopes; within areas draining
to existing high quality waters which constitute an outstanding
National resource; within municipal watersheds or sole source
aquifer recharge zones recognized under Subsection 1424(e) of
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4-7
Public Law 93-523, "Safe Drinking Water Act"; where water
quality or hydrologic consequences may adversely affect rare
and endangered species (see page A-38).
12. Apply Sound Enginee ring.
Insure use of proper engineering design for all mine-related
structures which present a risk of pollution through design
fault or failure, including retainment dike walls, pipelines,
cut and fill slopes, dams, impoundments, and mineral
storage and waste disposal piles {see page 4-45).
13. Properly Locate and Seal Shafts and Boreholes.
Locate, fill, case, seal, or otherwise manage all boreholes,
wells, shafts, and portals so as to prevent or control surface
water and ground water pollution (see page 4-47)
14. Control Fugitive Dust
Fugitive dust may result from any affected area or from any
phase of any mineral industrial operation. Dust should be
controlled when it contributes to chemical or physical water
pollution. Particular attention should be given to control
of wind blown fines containing toxic or radioactive contaminants
(see page 4-50).
15. Maintain Control Measures.
Perform all maintenance necessary to insure the continued
effectiveness of all control measures including drainage
structures and treatment systems (see page 4-52).
16. Use Temporary Stabilization and Control When Needed.
Use temporary stabilization and control measures when transitory
conditions are created during conduct of mine-related industrial
operations, which present a significant water pollution hazard,
including those created during periods of inactivity (see page 4-55).
17. Prevent and Control Pollutioa After Close Down or Abandonment.
Close down, remove or abandon all structural measures,
facilities and areas affected by mine-related industrial
operations upon completion of. activity so as to prevent or
control long term po 3 tope rational surface water and ground
water pollution (see page 4-57).
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4-8
4.3.2 Example Preventive Measures and Control Practices
Each control principle is illustrated on the pages following
by one specific example of a practice, procedure, method, measure, or
technique used within some particular mineral industrial subcateogory.
Illustrative examples have been taken largely without modification from
EPA publications, from State mining regulations and from recent Federal
coal mining legislation, now Public Law 95-87, dated August 3, 1977.
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4-9
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 1
CHOOSE LEAST HAZARDOUS METHODS
Choose mine-related operating methods which
minimize pollution causing hydrologic disturbance
and which generate the least potential water pollution
hazard.
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4-10
EXAMPLE
DOWNDIP MINING AND PREPLANNED FLOODING
Take from: "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution from
Mining Activities", p. 188-191. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
480/9-73-011. October 1973.
Most pollution forming materials require oxidation for increased solubility.
The sulfides which are responsible for most pollution are relatively insoluble
and inert until oxidized. Underground mining provides a source of oxygen
to these minerals, which have only limited oxygen contact prior to mining. If
a mine contains air after abandonment, then the minerals will continue to
oxidize. Flooding of a mined zone is the only practical method of eliminating
the oxygen source under present technology. Elimination of free air atmosphere
greatly reduces oxidation. Ground water entering a mine will have a small
amount of dissolved oxygen: on the order of 0 to 10 mg/1. This supply is in-
sufficient to sustain any significant amount of pollution formation. Flooding
is not always the best solution, because some minerals will be dissolved under
acidic conditions, which are likely to occur during flooding.
Free air oxygen is not always required for oxidation. For example,
pyrite can be oxidized by ferric ions. The extent of this type of reaction is
unknown. Most literature sources seem to indicate the elimination of free
air oxygen will eliminate a large portion of pollution production. This means
that oxidation is insignificant without the presence of free air oxygen.
Underground mines can be developed so that either flooding or zero
discharge will occur after completion of mining. This merely requires
positioning the openings at the highest elevation and developing the mine
in a downward direction. The openings do not always have to be in the
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highest position if sealing is planned. The elevation difference between
the openings and the highest elevation of a mine should be held to a
minimum to insure effective operation of the seal. The seal and the
rock in the seal area should be capable of withstanding the maximum
attainable water pressure.
Study of local hydrogeological conditions may reveal that the mine
could never be fully flooded. In these cases, discharge can. be minimized
by locating the mine opening above the highest attainable post mining water
level.
Flooding cannot occur unless an entire mine area is capable of withstanding
imposed water pressure. Consideration must be given to the fact that the
seal area may not be the weak point. The down dip outcrop area, and points
where mining approached the land surface, are potential weak spots. These
areas could physically fail under high water pressures.
Failure is not the only problem. The rock units may have enough
permeability that a significant discharge will occur under the increased
head. Sufficient mineral barriers should remain along the perimeter of
a mine to insure flooding. Consideration should always be given relative
to closeness of approach to the land surface at any given area. Mineral
barriers should also remain between adjacent underground mines to prevent
interflow from compounding problems.
This system basically utilizes down dip mining with appropriate mineral
barriers in place.
Most underground mines were developed to the rise of the mineral
wherever there was a choice of going to the rise or to the dip. This
was done to facilitate gravity drainage from the mine. It also allowed
full mine cars to exit the mine under gravity influence, and the empty
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4-12
cars were then hauled uphill. The majority of abandoned underground
coal mines in the eastern United States were developed to the rise.
These mines are large sources of pollution and they are extremely
difficult to seal. If downdip mining had been practiced, along with
judicious use of mineral barriers, a large portion of the acid mine
drainage problem we now face would never have occurred.
Use of this technique will entail additional costs for underground
mining. Water will collect in low spots and will have to be pumped
from the mine. Pumping costs will vary greatly. They can be prohibi-
tive at times, as evidenced by the decline of underground mining in the
Pennsylvania Anthracite Field. Leaving mineral barriers in place will
cause additional costs because the barriers consist of non-recoverable
mineral.
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CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 2
MANAGE WATER
Plan mineral industrial operations so as to manage
water entering, moving through, and existing from all
affected surface or subsurface areas. Proper water
management often includes minimizing inflow of
surface water or ground water into affected areas.
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4-14
EXAMPLE
WATER DIVERSION
Taken from: "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities", p. 63-66. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA 430/9-73-011, October 1973.
Water diversion involves collection of water before it enters
the mine area, and then conveying it around a mine site. This proce-
dure decreases erosion, reduces pollution and reduces water treatment
costs by reducing the volume of water that needs to be treated.
Ditches, flumes, pipes, trench drains and dikes are all com-
monly used for water diversion. Ditches are usually excavated upslope
of the surface mine to collect and convey the water. Flumes and pipes
are used to carry water down steep slopes or across regraded areas.
Riprap and dumped rock are sometimes used to reduce water velocity
in the conveyance system.
Water diversion can also occur within a surface mine. Drain-
ways at the bottom of a highwall are helpful,in many cases, to convey
entering ground water from the mine prior to its contact with pollution-
forming materials.
Ground waters can be diverted by pumping water from the flow
path area prior to entrance to the mine. In some instances, it may be
cheaper to drill holes and pump ground water away than to treat the
water after it passes through a mine.
Surface water diversion could be applied to many large valley
fill bony piles in the east and tailings piles in the west. Many of these
waste piles were built across valleys (natural watercourses) causing
streams to pass through the pollution-forming materials. This water
can be diverted around or conveyed through the waste material.
Surface water diversion is an effective technique for reducing
water pollution. It can be applied to almost any surface mine or mine
waste pile.
A water diversion system should be properly designed to ac-
commodate expected volumes and water velocities. If the capacity of
a ditch is exceeded ,water can erode the sides and render the ditch use-
less for any amount of rainfall.
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4-15
Spoil
Original Ground Surface
Compacted Fill To Prevent
Ponding At Toe
CROSS SECTION OF
DRAINAGE DITCH ON UPHILL SIDE OF A SPOIL PILE
Terrace—\ Slope S
-\ siope
Top Of Spoil
Slope
X^ Ditch
Spoil
Toe Of
Spoil
Ditch
Original Ground Surface
FIGURE 4.1- CROSS SECTION OF
DIVERSION DITCH APPLICATIONS
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4-16
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 3
CO_NTROL EROSION AND TRAP SEDIMENT
Use the best combination of at-source erosion and
sediment control techniques to control erosion
and sediment loss from all affected and disturbed
areas and to prevent offsite transport.
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4-17
EXAMPLE
ONSITE EROSION CONTROL
Taken from: "Drainage System: Ditch on Bench. " West Virginia
Department of Natural Resources Surface Mining Reclamation Regulations,
Chapter 20-6, Series VII, Section 7.0, Subsection 7A. 02.
"Drainage ditches will be constructed on the excavated solid bench
in order to carry off storm, surface or seepage water .... In no case
shall water be discharged over a spoil slope. Removal of water from the
bench shall be accomplished by use of adequate pipe, a rock riprap flume,
asphalt or concrete shutes, or by grading a channel to nonerosive rock. "
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CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 4
SEGREGATE WATER FROM TOXICS
Reduce the amount of water and the length of time
that water comes into contact with pollution forming
materials; toxic, acid forming, etc.
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EXAMPLE
SPECIAL HANDLING AND PLACEMENT
OF ACID FORMING MATERIALS
Take from: "MINE DRAINAGE ". Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources Rules and Regulations, Title 25, Part I, Subpart C, Article
II, Chapter 99 .36(c)(l). September 2, 1971.
"Acid-forming materials shall be separated from the rest of the spoil
and spread along the bottom of the pit close to the base of the spoil pile
along the low-wall side of the cut. All exposed refuse shall be covered
with clean fill daily if necessary to prevent pollution, but at least at intervals
not to exceed one week. The top surface of the cover shall be graded so
that water will run off rather than soak into the backfill to reach the acid-
forming refuse. Alternate layers of refuse and clean fill shall be spread
over the area so that the maximum thickness of each layer of refuse shall
be no greater than 30 inches and the minimum thickness of each layer
of clean fill shall be no less than 24 inches. The top layer of refuse shall
have a cover of clean fill with a minimum thickness of five feet. The
cover shall be graded so that surface water will drain away from the disposal
area until such time as the area has been completely restored.
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4-20
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 5
COLLECT AND TREAT RUNOFF WHEN OTHER APPROACHES FAIL
Consider collection and treatment of nonpoint source
runoff, seepage, and percolation when other at-source
control approaches prove to be inadequate to achieve
control objectives.
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EXAMPLE
UNDERDRAINS
Take from: "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities", p. 67. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA 430/9-73-011. October 1973.
DESCRIPTION
Underdrains of rock or perforated pipe can be placed below pollution -
forming materials to quickly discharge infiltrating water. These devices
shorten the flow path and residence time of water in the waste materials.
Underdrains are designed to provide zones of high permeability to collect
and transport water from the bottom of the piles. A common method of
construction is to use trenches filled with rock.
Underdrains should prove effective for use with bony storage areas
and large tailings accumulations. They are best suited for installation
prior to creation of the pile. They can also be installed in existing piles,
although the cost is higher.
EVALUATION
These drains have been tried on western tailings piles, but their
effectiveness has not been documented. They are recommended for use
with the he ad-of-hollow mining technique. The concept is theoretically
sound and will probably be demonstrated in the near future.
There are certain limitations to use of Underdrains. They should
not be used where inundation has occurred, because they will drain the
pile and cause an adverse effect. They should only be used in piles
where the water table is fluctuating, and flow is in direct response to
rainfall. Care must be taken during design to preclude the possibility
of fines clogging the completed underdrain installation.
The water quality of flow from Underdrains should be monitored and
appropriate effluent discharge limitations met through direct treatment when
necessary.
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CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 6
QUICKLY STABILIZE DISTURBED AREAS
Stabilize and protect all disturbed areas which present a
potential for contributing pollutants as contemporaneously
as possible with conduct of mine-related industrial operations,
including mineral exploration, mine development, extraction,
transport, processing, storage, and waste disposal.
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4-23
EXAMPLE
CONTEMPORANEOUS STABILIZATION
OF AFFECTED AREAS
(Take from: "Environmental Protection Performance Standards". Public Law
95-87. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Section 515(b)(4)
and (16). August 3, 1977
"General performance standards shall be applicable to all surface coal
mining and reclamation operations and shall require the operation as a
minimum to-
o stabilize and protect all surface areas including spoil
piles affected by the surface coal mining and reclamation
operation to effectively control erosion and attendant air
and water pollution;
o insure that all reclamation efforts proceed in an
environmentally sound manner and as contemporaneously
as practicable with the surface coal mining operations. "
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4-24
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 7
PROPERLY STORE MINERALS AND DISPOSE OF MINERAL WASTES
Store mined minerals and processed mineral products,
and dispose of all mineral wastes so that pollution of
surface water and ground water by wind action, runoff,
seepage or percolation (leaching) is effectively prevented
or controlled.
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EXAMPLE
REDUCING SURFACE WATER INFILTRATION
Take from: "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution from
Mining Activities", p. 57-59. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
430/9-73-011. October 1973.
This technique involves reducing surface permeability of pol-
lution-forming materials. This can be achieved by placement of imper-
vious materials such as concrete, soil cement, asphalt, rubber, plastic,
latex and clay. This effect can also be achieved by surface compaction
and by chemical surface treatment (such as carbonate bonding).
Concrete and asphalt are applied in a layer on the pollution-
forming material to form a water tight seal. The remaining materials
may be left exposed, or may be covered with soil, depending upon the
material and future land use.
Original Ground Surface
Backfilled Grade Surface
•Clean Spoil 6k Topsoil
Pollution
Forming
Material
Impermeable
Material
Clean Spoil
FIGURED-REDUCING SURFACE WATER INFILTRATION
TO BURIED POLLUTION - FORMING MATERIAL
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4-26
Compaction of the existing surface materials will decrease in-
filtration to some degree. Degree of success will depend on the physical
nature of the material and equipment utilized for compaction.
Latex soil sealant is applied as a dry compound at a predeter-
mined depth in existing surface material. The latex compound reacts
with infiltrating ground water to form a thin, impermeable film, or
layer, at a desired depth.
Carbonate bonding is a physio-chemical application to an exist-
ing surface which produces a cement-like product. The procedure in-
volves roto-tilling lime hydrate and water into the material, followed
by installation of plastic perforated pipes. The pipes distribute pure
carbon dioxide gas through the lime hydrate-waste material mixture,
converting the lime hydrate into a hard carbonate material which acts
as a surface sealant.
Asphalt and concrete are excellent sealants, but are expensive.
The only presently economically feasible way to use these sealants is
in multipurpose reclamation such as constructing parking lots, build-
ings, airport runways and roads over pollution-forming materials. They
are too expensive for use as a single purpose water pollution control
method. Use of pollution-forming materials in highway road base con-
struction to eliminate surface water infiltration is a technique being re-
searched.
Use of rubber and plastic as coverings has been accomplished
experimentally. They are extremely prone to damage when exposed,
and do not appear feasible without an extensive maintenance program.
Attempts have been made to cover them with soil, but the equipment used
to place the soil usually damages the covering. A soil cover on these
materials is not very stable and tends to erode and slide. The soil cov-
erings would also vegetate, which could result in root damage to the seals.
Compaction is one of the cheapest techniques, but unfortunately
most mine wastes cannot be compacted sufficiently (without use of other
techniques) to significantly control water pollution.
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4-27
Carbonate bonding is essentially in the experimental stages.
However, it shows promise of being a viable sealing technique. Further
experimentation in practical situations should be performed before ex-
tensive use of the technique.
Use of latex as a soil sealant proved ineffective in a demonstra-
tion project in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
Clay appears to be the best practical sealant material. It is one
of the least expensive and yet most maintenance free. Clay is compacted
over the pollution-forming material, and should be covered with soil to
prevent desiccation, failure, and subsequent erosion. Feasibility of clay
as a sealer usually depends on local availability of clay.
Pollution-forming materials should be graded into the smallest
practical area prior to sealing.
All of these sealants are subject to failure, either chemical
or physical, and will require some matntenance.
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4-28
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 8
CORRECT POLLUTION-CAUSING HYDROLQGIC DISTURBANCES
Use measures designed to restore premining
hydrologic conditions or to correct hydrologic
disturbances which may be responsible for causing
surface water or ground water pollution or adverse
beneficial use impacts during or following mine-
related operations.
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4-29
EXAMPLE
REGRADING TO APPROXIMATE ORIGINAL CONTOUR
Taken from: "Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities", p. 112-113. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA 430/9-73-011. October 1973.
DESCRIPTION
This technique involves regrading a mine to a shape that close-
ly resembles original land contour. It is generally one of the most
favored regrading techniques because it returns the land as closely as
possible to its pre-mining state. This technique is also favored be-
cause all spoil is placed back into the mine resulting in less disturbed
area, and usually less water pollution. Contour regrading facilitates
deep burial of pollution-forming material. It reduces erosion due to
reduction in size of disturbed areas.
Original Ground Surface
Diversion Ditch
Backfilled Ground Surface
FIGURE 4.3 -CROSS SECTION OF
TYPICAL CONTOUR BACKFILL
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4-30
EVALUATION
Contour regrading appears to be one of the best methods of
water pollution control for surface—mined lands. It is also one of the
most expensive, because of the large volume of spoil to be moved. It
can be facilitated through use of mining techniques such as the modified
block cut.
Contour regrading is difficult at abandoned strip mines in
steep terrain. It is difficult and expensive to move downslope spoil
back upslope onto the bench.
Contour regrading is limited to areas where sufficient spoil
exists to achieve original contour. It is not applicable for mining recla-
mation where there is a large volume of mineral in relation to the
volume of overburden, as in open pit or quarry mining.
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4-31
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 9
PREVENT AND CONTROL POLLUTION FROM ROADS
Insure that access and haul roads are constructed,
maintained, and closed so as to control or prevent
water pollution related to mass movements, erosion,
and offsite transport of sediment.
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4-32
EXAMPLE
HAUL ROAD CULVERT OUTFLOW TRANSPORT TO TOE OF SLOPES
Taken from: "Demonstration of Coal Mine Haul Road Sediment Control
Techniques", p. 34-37. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA-600/2-76-196. August 1976.
Section and flexible slope drains can be used to channel culvert
outflows so as to stabilize areas at the to? of the fill slope; however,
freezing weather presents some maintenance problems for flexible
downdrains. Culvert pipe buried in the fill slope would probably require
the least maintenance.
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4-33
FIGURE 4.4 - Typical section slope
drain installation
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4-34
FIGURE 4.5-Typical flexible slope
drain installation
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4-35
SAFETY BERM
CORRUGATED METAL PIPE
V A-BITUMINIZED FIBER PIPE
'//
'SPLASH APRON
FIGURE 4.6-Typical installation of pipe
buried in fill slope
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4-36
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 10
AV01D DISTURBING STREAM BEDS, STREAM BANKS AND NATURAL DRAINAGES
Avoid disturbing or constructing roads within
stream beds or natural drainways and drainage
channels, or using such drainages for vehicular
access.
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4-37
EXAMPLE
NATURAL DRAINWAY DISTURBANCE LIMITATION
Take from: "Natural Drainways". West Virginia Department of Natural
Resources Surface Mining Reclamation Regulations, Chapter 20-6,
Series VII, Section 7. 02. 1971.
"Natural drainways in the area of land disturbed by surface mining
operations shall be kept free of overburden except where overburden
placement has been approved. Such drainways shall be identified on
the maps submitted with the application. Surface mining operations
will be prohibited 50 feet on either side of a natural drainway. "
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4-38
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 11
USE STRINGENT CONTROLS IN HIGH RISK AREAS
Recognize particularly high risk pollution-hazard
situations and sensitive areas, and design especially
stringent preventive measures and control practices
which are adequate to prevent or control pollution
under these circumstances. Such special situations
might include mine-related operations conducted: on
alluvial valley floors; on steep slopes; within areas
draining to existing high quality waters which con-
stitute an outstanding National resource; within municipal
watersheds or sole source aquifer recharge zones
recognized under Subsection 1424(e) of Public Law 93-523,
"Safe Drinking Water Act"; where water quality or
hydrologic consequences may adversely affect rare
and endangered species.
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.4-39
EXAMPLE
BLOCK-CUT OR HAUL BACK METHOD OF CONTOUR
MINING ON STEEP SLOPES
Taken from: "Environmental Protection in Surface Mining of Coal". ,g .
p. 74-80. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-670/2-74-093. Oct. iy/4.
The Block-cut method (haul back, pit storage, put and take, etc.) is a simple
innovation of the conventional contour strip mining method for steep terrain
(See Figure 4.7). Instead of casting the overburden from above the coal seam
down the hillside, it is hauled back and placed in the pit of the previous cut.
The method is not new and is known by various names, depending on the locality.
Basically, the operational procedures are similar in that no spoil is deposited
on the downslope below the coal seam, topsoil is saved, overburden is removed
in blocks and deposited in prior cuts, the outcrop barrier is left intact, and
reclamation is integrated with mining (Figures 4'.8 and 4.9).
When beginning the mine, a block of overburden is removed down to the coal seam
and disposed of (Figure 4,7). This first cut spoil can be placed above the high-
wall in some instances, or spread along the downslope as in conventional contour
mining, or moved laterally and deposited in a head-of-hollow fill or ridge fill.
The original cut is made into the hillside to the maximum depth that is to be
TOP OF RIDGE
-HIGHWALL-
CUT 7
CUT 5
-*- —
CUT 3
-^- —
CUT 1
-»- -*-
CUT 2
— -*«-
CUT 4
— -^
CUT 6
-OUTCROP BARRIER-
HOLLOW
PROCEDURE
ISCALP FROM TOP OF HIGHWALl TO OUTCROP BARRIER.
REMOVE AND STORE IOPSOIL
2 REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF OVERBURDEN FROM CUT I
3 PICK UP COAL. LEAVING AT LEAST A 15 FOOT UNDISTURBED
OUTCROP BARRIER
4MAKE SUCCESIVE CUTS AS NUMBERED
5OVERBUPOEN IS MOVED IN THE DIRECTION. AS SHOWN BY
ARROWS, AND PLACED IN THE ADJACENT PJT.
6 COMPUTE BACKFILL AND GRADING TO THE APPROXIMATE
ORIGINAL CONTOUR.
Figure 4.7 -Block-cut method.
The width is generally three time that of th^' following cuts. After
" ' is rem0ved, the overburden from the second cut is placed in the first
•f C°d the coal from the second cut is removed. This process is repeated as
P. .an resses around the mountain. Once the original cut has been made,
mining Pr°6 ~nntinuous, working in both directions around the hill or in only
mining can be conm
one direction.
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4-40
RIDGE TOP
HOLLOW
FIGURE 4.8- Block-cut method: Stripping phase.
RIDGE TOP
OMPACTED
CLAY
BARRIER
FIGURE 4.9 - Block-cut method: Backfilling phase.
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4-41
The cuts are mined as units, thereby making it easier to retain the original
slope 'and shape of the mountain after mining. In all cuts , an unmined outcrop
barrier is left to serve as a notch to support the toe of the backfilled over-
burden. Block-cut mining makes it possible to mine on slopes steeper than those
being mined at present without the danger of slides and with minimal disturbance.
Approximately 60$ less total acreage is disturbed than by other mining techni-
ques now in use. There is significant visual evidence that the block cut method
is less damaging than the old practice of shoving overburden down the side of
the mountain resulting in permanent scars on the landscape. The treeline below
the mined area and above the highwall is preserved. Results of the mining
operation generally are hidden and cannot be seen from the valley below. This
cosmetic feature is only one of the advantages that contribute to making this
an acceptable steep-slope mining method.
Using hypothetical costs, Secor calculated that under Pennsylvania law.
where backfilling must be to the original contour, the block-cut method cost
33 cents per ton less than the conventional method. He presumes that the lower
cost was due to the fact that conventional pull-back methods involve double
handling of spoil material. Secor cautions that although the block cut method
is no more expensive and may be less than conventional dragline pull-back
mining, these costs are estimates only and can vary from operation to operation.
Existing or pending State and Federal legislation makes it illegal to push
overburden beyond the outcrop and over the mountainside and thus bans the
conventional type of contour strip mining. However, the block cut or similar
methods meet the criteria of this new legislation and allow for recovery of
coal reserves in mountainous regions that would otherwise be unmineable.
West Virginia Reclamation Chief, Benjamin C. Greene has stated the follow-
ing about the block-cut method: "As far as we're concerned it's the way of
the future if we are to continue contour surface mining . . . The environmental
effects are very minimal and can be totally controlled by this mining method."
The block-cut method is no longer experimental and is now operational in
several States. Enough information is available from active operations to
show this method to be potentially feasible from an economic and environmental
standpoint.
Benefits and advantages of the block-cut method over conventional contour
strip-mining have been demonstrated at producing nines under varying conditions
and are:
1. Spoil on the downslope is totally eliminated. Since no fill bench
is produced, landslides have been eliminated.
2. Mined area is completely backfilled, and since no highwall is left,
the area is aesthetically more pleasing.
3. Acreage disturbed is approximately 60?; less than that disturbed by
conventional contour mining.
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4-42
4. Reclamation costs are lower, as the overburden is handled only
once instead of two or three times.
5. Slope is not a limiting factor.
6. The block-cut method is applicable to multi-seam mining.
7. Size of the disturbed area drainage system is smaller.
8. Size and number of sediment control structures have been reduced.
Total life of structure usefulness is increased.
9. Revegetation costs have been considerably reduced and it is easier
to keep the seeding current with the mining. Bond releases are
quicker.
10. AMD siltation, and erosion is significantly reduced and more
easily controlled because of concurrent reclamation with mining.
11. Overburden is easily segregated, topsoil can be saved, and toxic
materials can be deeply buried.
One of the disadvantages of the block-cut method is:
Long-term environmental consequences are not known and will
require a monitoring program of a pilot block-cut operation
to determine if stream siltation and mineralization can be
eliminated.
Perhaps the most salient feature of block cutting is that the removal of
the overburden and the reforming of the original contour by backfilling
are integral processes (Figures 4.10 and 4.11). As a result, the method
tends to reduce many of the associated environmental impacts that occur
by other methods. This new mining technique has been accepted as one of
the most significant breakthroughs made in contour mining in mountainous
terrain.
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4-43
STEP 1
REMOVE TIMBER AND CUT
TRENCH TO CATCH
10LLING STONES,
STEP 2
INITIAL DOZER CUT
TO MAKE DRILL BENCH
STEP 3
DRILL BENCH IS SHOT
AND HAULED BACK
TO BACKFILL
BARRIER
Figure 4.10 Block-cut method:
Controlled placement of spoil, steps 1, 2, and 3,
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4-44
STEP 4
,
HAUL ROAD
AND DRAINAGE
DITCH IS BUILT ALONG
UNCOVERED COAL
STEP 5
REMOVE UNCOVERED
COAL AND AUGER.
FILL HOLES WITH
COMPACTED CLAY.
COMPACTED
CLAY
i:i-^ AUGER HOLE
STEP 6
BACKFILL & REVEGETATE
SLOPE BENCH
TOWARD HIGHWALL
Figure 4.11 Block-cut method:
Controlled placement of spoil, steps 1*, 5, and 6.
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4-45
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 12
APPLY SOUND ENGINEERING
Insure use of proper engineering design for all
mine-related structures which present a risk
of pollution through design fault or failure,
including retainment dike walls, pipelines, cut
and fill slopes, dams, impoundments, and mineral
storage and waste disposal piles.
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4-46
EXAMPLE
TEMPORARY SEDIMENT BASIN ANTI-SEEP COLLAR DESIGN
Taken from: "Erosion and Sediment Control-Surface Mining in the
Eastern U. S." Volume 2: Design, p. 59-63.U.S. environmental Protection
Agency Technology Transfer Seminar Publication. October 1976.
Anti-Seep Collar Design
This procedure provides the anti-seep collar dimensions only for temporary sediment basins
in order to increase the seepage length by 10 percent for various pipe slopes, embankment slopes,
and riser heights. This does not apply to permanent structures, which must hav*1 an increase of 15
percent in the seepage length.
The first step in designing anti-seep collars is to determine the length of pipe within the sat-
urated zone of the embankment. This can be done graphically or by the following equation, as-
suming that the upstream slope of the embankment intersects the invert of the pipe at its up-
stream end. See embankment-invert intersection on figure 1-25. —'
/ - i, A\ I i P'Pe sl°Pe
s 0.25-pipe slope
where:
Z/y = Length of pipe in the saturated zone (ft.)
y = Distance from upstream invert of pipe to highest normal water level expected to
occur during the life of the structure, usually the top of the riser (ft.).
z = Slope of upstream embankment as a ratio of z ft. horizontal to 1 foot vertical.
pipe slope = Slope of pipe in feet per foot.
' The numbers 4 and 0.25 are based on approximation of the phreatic line (4:1 — figure I-
25).
V
To determine Ls graphically, refer to figure I-26rTtio number, size, and spacing of collars
can then be determined from figure 1-27. —
Example — Given: y = 8 ft., embankment slope = 2.5:1,
pipe slope = 10%, pipe diameter = 36"
Find: number, size, and spacing of anti-seep collars.
From figure I-26,-saturated length, Ls = 87 ft. From figure I-27,-the size for two collars
would be 7.3 ft. and for three collars, 5.9 ft. Select two collars since they would be less expen-
sive and easier to install. Collar sizes should be given in feet and inches; therefore, use two col-
lars 7 ft 4 in x 7 ft 4 in. From figure 1-27,-the projection is 2.15' ft.1 Therefore, the maximum
collar spacing is (14) (2.15 ft) = 30.1 ft.
Details and installation instructions^ for corrugated metal collars are shown in figure T-28.
For helical pipe collars, see figure 1-29.—'
I/ Pages 59-63 of the source publication cited above should be consulted for
detailed design specifications.
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4-47
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 13
PjRQPERLY LOCATE AND SEAL SHAFTS AND BOREHOLES
Locate, fill, case, seal, or otherwise manage all boreholes,
wells, shafts, and portals so as to prevent or control
surface water and ground water pollution.
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4-48
EXAMPLE
DOUBLE BULKHEAD MINE TUNNEL SEAL
Taken from: "Processes, Procedures, and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities", p. 228-229. U. S. Environmental Protection Agenc
EPA 430/9-73-011. October 1973.
The technique involves placement of two retaining bulkheads
in a mine opening followed by placement of 3 seal in the space between
the bulkheads. Bulkheads can be placed from a mine portal, if it is
open and accessible, or through vertical boreholes from above. Grout
or concrete is then placed between the bulkheads via pipes through the
front bulkhead, if accessible, or from vertical boreholes.
Two types of double bulkhead mine seals have recently been
successfully demonstrated. In inaccessible mine entryways a grouted
seal has been used, and for accessible mines quick setting concrete
seals have proven effective .
Grouted double bulkhead seals have been recently constructed
at Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania, under the state's "Operation
Scarlift" reclamation program. This method utilized dry, coarse
aggregate for front and rear bulkheads placed through drillholes. The
bulkheads were then grouted to form solid front and rear seals. Water
was pumped out of the center cavity between the two bulkheads by new-
ly placed drill holes. Concrete was poured into the space between the
two bulkheads. These same mine seals have also been successfully
installed without grouting the retaining bulkheads.
Use of double bulkhead seals for accessible mine entries has
been attempted only a few times, primarily by the Halliburton Company
under contract to the EPA. A quick-setting slurry consisting of water,
cement, bentonite and sodium silicate was used to construct the two
bulkheads. The void between the bulkheads was filled with a special
light concrete composed of portland cement, fly ash, bentonite and
water, pumped through a grout pipe. In another case, this void was
filled with pneumatically pumped limestone aggregate, which was then
grouted with light concrete.
These seals have been successfully demonstrated and appear
capable of withstanding relatively large amounts of water pressure.
The maximum pressure exerted has been limited to 10.7 meters (35
feet) of head. However, these seals should be capable'of greater pres-
sures as installation procedures improve.
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4-49
Grout curtains are required for total effectiveness. Seal
leakages generally occur through the bottom and around the sides of
a seal. It is difficult to get a good seal at the mine roof because of
slumping. The perimeter of a seal should be well grouted.
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4-50
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 14
CONTROL FUGITIVE DUST
Fugitive dust may result from any affected area
or from any phase of any mineral industrial
operation. Dust should be controlled when it
contributes to chemical or physical water
pollution. Particular attention should be given
to control of wind blown fines containing toxic
or radioactive contaminants.
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4-51
EXAMPLE
HAUL ROAD DUST CONTROL
Taken from: "Erosion and Sediment Control - Surface Mining in the
Eastern U.S." Volume 1: Planning, p. 58, and p. 9. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. Technology Transfer Seminar Publication.
October 1976.
"During dry periods, periodic watering of the roadway may be
required to prevent the dust from entering the ditch. [Measures may
also have to be taken to prevent windblown loss of mineral materials
from trucks and railroad cars during transit. ] Dust particles deposited
in ditches, on the roadbed and [on other surfaces adjacent to the roadway]
are washed readily into adjoining drainageways during rainfall events. "
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4-52
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 15
^ AS U HKS
Perform all maintenance necessary to insure the
continued effectiveness of all control measures
including drainage structures and treatment systems.
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4-53
EXAMPLE
REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF SEDIMENT FROM A SEDIMENT BASIN
Taken from: "Erosion and Sediment Control - Surface Mining in the
Eastern US" Volume 1: Planning, p. 70-71. U. S Environmental Proection
Agency Technology Transfer Seminar Publication. October 1976.
Sediment Removal
The most important maintenance problem associated with sediment
containment basins is the removal of accumulated sediment. Research
has shown that the highest sediment yields are usually observed during the
first 6-month period after mining. Filling of sediments in the basin reduces
its capacity to retain runoff long enough for sediment to be deposited before
it is carried downstream. Many States have established criteria for sediment
removal from the basin. A rule of thumb that can be used is to clean out
a basin when it has reach 50 percent of its sediment storage capacity, or
I/
6 months after the mining operation was started, whichever comes first.
In the design for storage capacity of a sediment basin, provisions should
be made to accumulate enough sediment to permit the pond to function for
a reasonable period between cleanings.
For small sediment traps used near the mining activity, cleaning is
generally best accomplished by dragline and truck transport, since this
equipment is readily available. Removed material can be stockpiled directly
on the banks, and allowed to dewater before being hauled away, or it
can be buried in the mine pit.
For large containment basins that cannot be cleaned by draglines
operating from the banks, the cleaning becomes more difficult. In such
cases, the services of professionals experienced in the handling and
Disposition of sediment should ;jo reta-nod.
1/ This example has been taken from information dealing with coal mining
"""" in the Eastern United States; this specific rule of thumb may therefore
not be directly applicable tc other mineral categories or to mining
conducted in other parts of the country. Regulations promulgated
under P.L. 95-87 (30 CFR ^5.17(e)(5)) require sediment removal when
accumulation reaches SOX of storage volume.
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4-54
Sediment Disposal
Sediment disposal is an integral part of the sediment removal program
from a containment basin. Indiscriminate piling or dumping of removed
material is more likely to allow sediment to reenter the surface drainage
system during successive storms, and thus bscome a pollutant again.
The sediment removal operation must also consider the stable dispostion
of the material removed from the basin. Where disposal of a small
quantity of sediment is involved, it can be disposed of behind a protective
berm or grass filter strip, or buried in the mine pit. For larger quantities
of sediment, special provisions should be made either to bury it in an
area designated for this purpose, or to stockpile, do water, and vegetate
it properly.
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4-55
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO 16
USE TEM PORA RY START LIZ AT
Use temporary stabilization and control measures
when transitory conditions are created during
conduct of mine -related industrial operations,
which present a significant water pollutio.i hazard,
including those created during- psriods of inactivity
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4-56
EXAMPLE
TEMPORARY STABILIZATION OK SEGREGATED TOPSOIL
IN SURFACE MINING
Taken from: "Environmental Protection Performance Standards."
Public Law 95-87. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of
1977, Section .r>15(b)(5). August J. 1977.
"General performance standards shall be applicable to all surface
coal mining and reclamation operations and shall require the operation
as a minimum to remove the topsoil from the land in a separate layer,
replace it on the backfill area, or, if not utilized immediately, segregate
it in a separate pile from other spoil and, when the topsoil is not replaced
on a backfill area within a time short enough to avoid deterioration of
the topsoil, maintain a successful cover by quick growing plant or other
means thereafter so that the topsoil is preserved from wind and water
erosion, remains free of any contamination by other acid or toxic material,
and is in a useable condition for sustaining vegetation when restored during
reclamation, except if topsoil is of insufficient quantity or of poor quality
for sustaining vegetation, or if other strata can be shown to be more
suitable for vegetation requirements, then the operation shall remove,
segregate, and preserve in a like manner such other strata which is best
able to support vegetation. "
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4-57
CONTROL PRINCIPLE NO. 17
PREVENT AND CONTROL POLLUTION AFTER CLOSE DOWN OR
ABANDONMENT
Close down, remove or abandon all structural
measures, facilities and areas affected by
mine-related industrial operations upon
completion of activity so as to prevent or control
long term postoperational surface water and
ground water pollution.
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4-58
MINE HAUL ROAD STABILIZATION UPON ABANDONMENT
Taken from: "Abandonment of Haulage way. " West Virginia Department
of Natural Resources Surface Mining Reclamation Regulations, Chapter
20-6, Series VII, Section 5.16. 1971.
"Upon abandonment of a haulageway, the haulageway shall be
seeded and every effort made to prevent erosion by means of culverts,
water bars and other devices. "
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CHAPTER 5. 0
ABANDONED SOURCE ABATEMENT
r>. 1 Introduction
EPA has published a report entitled "Criteria For Developing Pollution
Abatement Programs For Inactive and Abandoned Mine Sites," (EPA-440/9-
75-008, August 1975), which describes organizational, financial, and legal
considerations involved in implementing a water pollution abatement program
i'or abandoned sources. It also discusses technical approaches to collecting
mine-related water quality data, conducting mine source inventories, and
identifying control needs and priorities.
Abandoned mine-related sources include abandoned surface and
underground mines for all mined mineral commodities, attendant waste
and tailings piles, roads, storage areas and related primary processing
areas, and in place pollutants accumulated in aquifers or deposited in
earlier years in streambeds and lake-bods.
The most important aspect of WQM for abandoned mine-related sources
will frequently be the program implementation requirements, rather than
the technical engineering aspects. Legal, institutional, and financial
arrangements hold the key to progress and success of abatement programs
more often than engineering studies and water quality data.
Information defining the nature and extent of water quality and
beneficial water use impacts, and technical options and costs of abatement
controls, must be available in order to justify and to gain support for
development of an abatement program with an adequate legal, institutional
and financial foundation, and to provide an accurate estimate of the total
cost of needed abatement efforts.
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5-2
In those instances where pollution abatement programs for abandoned
mines already exist, the adequacy of these programs should be objectively
evaluated within the WQM program context. Plans for modifying existing
program objectives, scope, scheduling and organization should be
developed as needed to achieve water quality goals and to protect beneficial
water uses.
Abatement programs and active regulatory control systems should be
coordinated to clearly assign the responsibility for preventing and controlling
continuing surface water and/or ground water pollution from future inactive
and abandoned mines. Any further growth in adverse water quality and
beneficial use impacts from abandoned sources should either be precluded
entirely or be recognized and planned deliberately.
Most reclamation projects on abandoned mined lands have dealt with
coal mine-related sources, but some States have also dealt with sand
and gravel, clay, stone, phosphate, copper, gold, and other mineral
subcategories. Expanding abatement programs to deal with abandoned
sources from all mineral subcategories, including oil and gas wells, is
consistent with the control mandate of the WQM program.
When implementation is to be undertaken by an organization other
than the planning agency itself, the WQM agency should involve the
implementation agency at the earliest possible date in its program
development effort. This early involvement is particularly appropriate
if the WQM agency is unfamiliar with the highly technical engineering
aspects of the program. Abatement strategies and control alternatives
proposed by an implementation agency participating directly with a vVQM
agency would have to be responsive to WQM program goals for pollution
load reduction and beneficial water use protection and restoration.
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5-3
5. 2 Abatement Program Tasks
Definitions of current, new, inactive, abandoned, orphaned and pre-law
mines and mineral extraction and processing operations sites will vary
with applicable laws and institutional arrangements. Abandoned mines
and supporting facilities generally are those that are no longer owned
and/or intended for continuing mineral production by the mining industry.
Inactive mines and supporting facilities are usually not currently producing
but are expected to operate when mineral prices, extraction technology,
or other mineral industrial conditions become favorable. Inactive operations
owned by private citizens, governmental authorities, industries or Indian
tribes probably will be treated quite differently because of legal con-
siderations and abilities of the various groups to assume pollution control
responsibilities. Abatement or control of pollution at inactive mines
must be arranged at the State and local level among WQM agencies, mine
source owners, affected citizens, and other responsible government agency
officials.
IV.ajor steps involved in State and areawide abatement program
development follow:
WQM Task - Define objectives for the abatement program.
Both short and long term objectives should be developed.
vVater quality improvement objectives normally will be
integrated with other desirable goals related to aesthetics,
economic development, land use, land productivity,
public safety, terrestial ecology and correction of other
adverse environmental impacts. Objectives should be
consistent with and supportive of wildlife management
plans and programs applicable to each jurisdiction.
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5-4
WQM effort logically should emphasize .direct abatement
of water pollution. The task of ameliorating all adverse
environmental impacts from abandoned mine-related
sites is a much larger undertaking than controlling only
the most serious water quality and beneficial use impacts.
Abatement programs must be integrated with other
objectives (aesthetics, etc. ) in order to gain adequate
public and political support; but, at a given level of
effort, the greatest improvement in water quality will
obviously be achieved through concentration on the
objective of water pollution control.
As stated in Chapter 2.0, revised Water Quality Standards
should adequately cover all significant pollutants from
abandoned mine sites. Critical design flow conditions
should reflect the conditions in receiving waters in which
mine-related pollutants pose the most serious threat to
water quality goals and beneficial water uses.
Technical information often may not be available for reliable
quantitative estimation of nonpoint source pollution load
contributions, modeling of instream effects, and determination
of beneficial use impacts. Abatement efforts nevertheless
should be launched on judgments of pollution severity and
abatement measure cost effectiveness. Abatement measures
should be implemented for abandoned mine-related sources
whose uncontrolled pollutant contributions interfere with
achievement of water quality goals and beneficial water uses.
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5-5
WQM Task - Examine existing legal and institutional arrangements for
abandoned mine pollution abatement.
New institutional, legal, and financial arrangements
should be proposed where existing abatement programs
are not adequate to achieve WQM program goals.
WQM Task - Select one or more implementation agencies to participate
with the WQM agency in developing and implementing an
abandoned source abatement program.
Legal constraints related to land ownership and mineral
rights patterns, as well as other social and economic
distinctions,may dictate separate institutional
arrangements and abatement program efforts for
dealing with pollution abatement on Federal property,
State property, local government holdings, industrial
lands, private ownerships and Indian lands.
When a WQM agency selects another agency or agencies to participate
in an effort to develop an abatement program, wide latitude exists for
making joint funding and work program arrangements. Ultimate responsi-
bility and control of the WQM asp2cts of the program development effort
should rest with the WQM agency.
It may be best for the WQM agency to handle some o' the remaining
abatement program tasks, while other tasks may be accomplished through
a-i implementation agency that has more technical expertise in abandoned
mine pollution abatement.
The program tasks that follow may be accomplished either by WQM
agencies, by implementation agencies, or by qualified contractors under
their separate or joint direction:
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5-6
WQM Task - Investigate legal problems and alternative solutions.
In investigating legal issues, the responsibility for
abatement funding in each class of inactive or abandoned
mined land must bo determined. Decisions must be
made as to whether private landowners, the mining
industry, taxpayers, or which one of the various levels
of government will bear the cost of abatement. One of
ft
the legal issues requiring resolution may include
conflicts between surface owners and mineral rights
holders.
Landowners and industries should be encouraged and
offered incentives to become involved in voluntary and
cooperative abatement projects. Industries should be
encouraged to reaffect previously mined lands as a part
of the abatement program. Existing laws at the local,
regional, State and Federal levels requiring pollution
control by landowners, former mine operators, and
present mine operators should be used to the limits
of cqjity before new legislation is proposed to abate
pollutioa from abandoned mines. Legal and institutional
issues involved in mine-related VVQIM are discussed
in "Legal and Institutional Approaches to Water Quality
Management Planning and Implementation,'' EPA
Contract Report No. 68-01-3564, March 1977.
WQ1V1 Task - Identify funding sources and arrange funding mechanisms for
mine-related pollution abatement.
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5-7
Funds available for various types of abatement projects
at local, State and Federal levels should be determined.
Potential funding sources for planning tasks and data
acquisition should be sought as well as for actual mine-
related source abatement and construction work.
Task - Identify and describe principles, processes, methods,
procedures, measures, and techniques for abatement of
pollution from abandoned mine-related sources, which
interfere with achievement of water quality goals and
beneficial water uses.
The term Best Management Practices has a different meaning
and carries with it different connotations, when applied to
abandoned sources than when applied to current sources. Pro-
cedural methods and preventive measures could normally not be
applied to an abandoned source; by definition no mine-related
activities or operations are being conducted at abandoned
source locations wherein preventive or procedural BMP's
could be applied. Some mitigating control practices which
are applied to current sources might be applied to abandoned
sources, but only with modifications reflecting all of the
physical, institutional, legal and financial distinctions.
Table 5.1 illustrates the range of mine drainage pollution
abatement and control techniques identified in a study of
acid mine drainage performed under the auspices of the
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in 1969.
Abatement technique comparisons and study efforts similar
to this one are required for each type of abandoned mine-related
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TABU: 5.1
MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION AFIATEMKNT AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Type'
Surface Land Reclamation
Mine Entry Sealing
Drainage Diversion
Impoundment
Refuse Pile Reclamation
Underground Grouting
Revegclalion
Inert Ga« Blanket
Microbiologic Iron and
Suifate Removal
Sterilisation
Application Characteristics
Abatement Mine Type' Mine Drainage
Category' Description Surface 1 'nrlergr/mnfJ Cl.i«*
** 1 The grading of earth, the construction of water ditches and rcvegctation of ground
disturbed bv excavation of the surface. A I — —
** 1 and 4 The placement of barriers in openings from underground mines exposed to the
surface to constrain the movement of air or water. ~ ~ ~ '
** 1 The channeling of surface waters or mine waters to control volume, direction and
contact lime. A 1 A I '23 4
** 1 The physical restriction of waters within an isolated area of an underground or
I 1 *} 'i 'i
surface mine. - ' '
** ] The burial or covering and revegplajion of the discarded waste rock from mining. -^ ' A I
** 1 and 4 The placement of a sealant on the surface or into the subsurface to constrain the
movement of air and water in an underground mine, e.g., the pouring of concrete 0
which would seal after reaching subsurface. — _ -1
** 1 The planting of grasses, legumes or tree? upon the surface of areas disturbed or altered
by excavation or dumping during mining. A 1 —
I The placement and retention within an underground mine of a ga« that is not reactive o '» 1
in the acid mine drainage forming process. ~ ~
1 The use of living organisms to actively reduce acid mine drainage contaminants. — ' A 1
1 The use of toxic materials to destroy or retard living organisms nrhve in the acid
Microbiological Control
Internal Scaling
Resource Removal
Neutralization
Flash Distillation
mine drainage formitig process.
1 The use of living organisms against each other to retard the action of those which
are active in the acid mine drainage forming process.
. 1 and 4 The isolation or constraint of underground mine waters by the placement of barriers
we,!! within the depths of underground mines.
1 The extraction of all coal, and the burying and sealing of toxic producing strata.
2 The process of chemically counteracting the polluting effects of acid mine drainage.
2 The rapid evaporation of acid mine drainage and the rrlirjiiefication of the remaining
fluid, free of residual contaminants.
1234
1234
i
OC
A J
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T \HI.K 5.1 (Continued)
MINE UKAl.N.UiE POLLUTION ABATEMENT AM) CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Type'
Reverse Osmosis **
Ion Exchange
Desulphating
Sulfide Iron Removal
Electrodialysis
Permanganate Iron Removal
Regulated Pumping **
Stream Flow Regulation **
Deep Well Injection ••
Abatement
Category2 Description
2 The passage through a selective membrane of the liquid portion of acid mine drainage
thereby freeing it from a major portion of the residual contaminants.
2 The passage of acid mine drainage among reactive particles that selectively retain
residual contaminants while the remaining liquid passes through.
2 The use of living organisms that thrive on metabolic processes that destroy sulfate,
which is a major residual contaminant of mine drainage.
2 The precipitation of iron from acid mine drainage with the addition of selectively
reactive sulfide compounds. *
2 The passage of acid mine drainage through an electrically charged selective membrane
allowing the passage of liquid thus freeing it from residual contaminants with the
appropriate electrical resistance to passage.
2 The precipitation of iron from acid mine drainage with the addition of an agent that
oxidizes the iron.
1 and 3 The discharge of acid mine drainage at volumes, rates, times and locations so that the
contaminating effects will be minimized.
3 The containment and release of stream waters at volumes, rates, times and locations
so that the contaminating effect will be minimized.
4 The placement of acid mine drainage or its altered product into the subsurface
through a vertical drilled hole.
Application Characteristics
Mine Type3 Mine Drainage
Surface Underground Class4
A I A I 13
A I A I 3
A I A I 3
A I A I 124
A I A I 3
A I A I 124
A I A I 1234
A I A I 1234
A I A I 1234
1 I'rui-licul Range of Abatement Techniques i= designated with **.
1 I. At-source control, by prevention or reduction of the rate of pollution formation.
2. The treatment of polluted waters.
it. The planned dispersion or dilution of pollutants.
4-. The permanent containment or isolation of polluted waters.
3 \ = Active; mines and areas in use for mining.
1 = Inactive; closed or abandoned mines or portions of active mines not in use.
4 Mine Drainage Class: Numbers refer to classification in Table 2.
en
i
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5-10
related source or source subcategory contributing to
surface water and ground water pollution.
Control techniques should be classified according to the
specific pollutants which each has been developed to
prevent or reduce. Techniques also must be further
classified by their pro/en effectiveness and applicability
fo~ practical field use. These classifications may include:
1. Techniques whose effectiveness and applicability
are well demonstrated;
2. Techniques whose effectiveness and applicability
are supported by limited field demonstration;
3. Techniq.i33 currently being demonstrated; and
4. Techniques currently under conceptual development.
The 1989 ARC coal mine drainage study stated that "There
a:~e some 24 techniques, which can be used singly or in
combination, for the abatement and control of acid coal
mine drainage. Of these, fewer than one-half have been
either sufficiently tested or applied to allow an appraisal
of their practicality for use in defined situations.
Mine-related source conditions under which each control
technique is utilized most appropriately as well as the
range of conditions across which the technique remains
effective should be defined.
In those cases where effective at-source control techniques
for a specific source subcategory are unknown, control
measures can sometimes be borrowed from other similar
situations found in other segments of the minerals industry.
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5-11
Alternatively, the hydrological, physical and chemical
elements of the problem can be studied and remedies
proposed, or investigative research efforts launched to
study the problem and to develop and test solutions. Direct
treatment of abandoned source discharges or treatment of
affected streams should be evaluated as one control alternative.
WQM Task - Determine the relative costs of available pollution abatement
techniques.
Variation in application costs across the range of site
conditions under which each techniqae is applied should be
considered, as well as any continuing operating and mainten-
ance costs, such as those associated with direct treatment.
WQM Task - Determine the effectiveness of abatement techniques used
singly or in combination for control of abandoned mine-related
pollutant contributions.
If quantitative field data are lacking, percent load
reductions should be estimated for various techniques,
combinations of techniques, and mine-related source
conditions. The number of techniques which can be
applied to abate a specific mine-related source is
usually very limited; the choice of alternatives is often
confined to only one or two options. Greater flexibility
and a widsr range of alternatives exists in scheduling
and establishing priorities for abatement than for techni-
que selection. Source conditions frequently dictate use
of a specific technique or combination o^ measures to
achieve a significant reduction in the pollutant load.
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5-12
WQM Task - Evaluate the cost effectiveness of alternative abatement
techniques and of abatement of sources within different
watersheds and mine-related source subcategories.
Examination of cost effectiveness permits comparisons
of both alternative techniques and abatement program
actions. Since so few abatement alternatives exist
at each specific mine site, cost effectiveness is likely
to be more important for selecting among abatement
projects for different individual mine-related sources,
or for dealing with different source subcategories
on a watershed basis than for choosing among alternative
abatement techniques for any one source.
Benefits derived from restoration of polluted waters to
a condition permitting higher uses, including propagation
of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, should be estimated.
WQM Task - Collect and analyze socio-economic information for
establishing watershed and mine-related source pollution
abatement priorities.
Factors taken into consideration might include population,
economic need, development demand, aesthetics, and
land values and uses.
WQM Task - Determine priorities for watershed and mine-related source
pollution abatement.
Priorities should be established primarily on the basis
of how much of an improvement in beneficial surface
water and ground water uses can be predicted to result
from taking abatement action, the cost of such action,
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5-13
and the importance attached to achieving such uses.
Schedules for pollution abatement in each subprogram
area should strongly reflect abatement priorities.
Other factors which must be considered include the
future possibility of reprocessing mine wastes and
tailings, the remining of previously affected sites, and
the presence of mine-related sources for which abate-
ment techniques currently are unknown or lack sufficient
testing. Abatement efforts can be directly tied to water
quality improvement through planning conducted on a
watershed or ground water hydrologic unit basis. This
insures that the combined influence of all mine-related
sources, including the effectiveness of proposed abate-
ment measures, will be taken into account in predicting
improvements. The effect of current mines, new mines,
and future inactive mines on water quality should also
be considered. New source WQM efforts are discussed
in Chapter 6. 0. The physical and biological recovery
potential of severely polluted streams and degraded
ground waters will influence the advisability of taking
abatement actions.
Separate abatement subprograms may be established for
Federal lands, State lands, Indian lands, lands to be
purchased by the State and reclaimed, industry abatement
programs, industry/State voluntary eoopo^iti/e efforts,
private citizen coop^ritive efforts with State and Federal
agencies, and property acquisition arvl abatement efforts
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5-14
by local government. Because of differences in legal
responsibilities of landowners, mineral claims holders,
current and former mine operators, etc., distinctions are
likely between pre-law mine operations and operations conduct-
ed under previous State, local, or Federal control programs.
Responsibility should be assigned for control of pollution
from current and from new mine-related sources after
abandonment. "Mine-related source closure and mine shut-
down procedures may not adequately prevent these sources
from continuing to cause pollution. Failure to assign
responsibility for postoperations pollution control may
result in defacto assumption of liability by government.
WQ1V1 Task - Develop alternative subplans for control of water pollution
from abandoned mine-related sources.
Alternative pollution abatement subplans for abandoned
mines should include (1) an estimate of the best reduction
levels achievable from all sources; and (2) the most
practicable program that the WQM agency can accomplish.
The most practicable subplan should reflect the WQM
agency's current appreciation for technical, legal,
financial, and institutional constraints.
In those instances where wide disparity exists between
the best achievable and the currently practicable subplans,
at least one other alternative should be developed. This
subplan should define an abatement program that would
permit substantial progress in restoration of beneficial
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5-15
water uses through pollutant load reduction, and
the scope of legal, institutional and financial
arrangements which would be necessary to carry
it out (recognizing that such arrangements may
not be easily made).
The practicable abatement subplan must attain
at least the same level of continuing achievement
as any existing abatement program(s), and, in
addition, make provision for positive but still
realistic program expansions and improvements.
A limited environmental assessment should be made
of each proposed subplan. The subplan's contribution
to improving water quality and beneficial water uses,
as well as the economic impacts on industry, private
citizens and various levels of government should be
emphasized.
Work performance schedules should be set for a
20 year period in 5 year increments with corresponding
estimates of surface water and ground water quality
improvement tied to scheduled abatement program
accomplishments. Predictions of water quality improve-
ment from abatement of existing abandoned mine-related
sources must be integrated with water quality data
having to do with current sources, new sources, and
future abandoned sources.
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VVQM Task - Compare abandoned mine-related loads and/or impacts
on beneficial water uses with other nonpoint source pollu-
tant load contributions and impacts, and with the gross
allotments for nonpoint source pollutants on water quality
limited segments where allotments have been prepared.
WQM Task - Select a source abatement subplan(s) for abandoned mines.
EPA states in its WQM planning guidance that "No
rigorous analytical method exists which will readily
identify the best plan for the area. . . while some of
the factors. . . can be quantified, others can only be
qualitatively assessed based upon professional judg-
ment, and toe views of the public. "
The implications of the selected subplan for. and its interrelationships
with, current mining, new mining and other nonpoint and point source
control subplans must be taken into account as a part of the overall
WQM plan selection process. Inter-state, inter-area and other inter-
jurisdictional coordination should also be accomplished.
The source control subplan that is chosen should permit attainment
of water quality goals and restoration and protection of beneficial water
uses. Specific geographic areas should be identified where goals are
unattainable. Established procedures must be followed to seek exception
to designation of national goal water uses (fishable, swimmable waters)
in any water quality limited segment because of abandoned mine-related
pollutant contributions.
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5-17
Exceptions to national goal use designations might be sought in
situations where direct treatment of abandoned source discharges or
affected streams is shown not to be practicable, and where: (1) abatement
measures or techniques for reducing current levels of abandoned mine-
related pollution have not been developed; and (2) projected levels of
water quality improvement, following application of known abatement
measures and techniques, are predicted to be inadequate to achieve national
goal water uses and restore beneficial uses.
In-stream treatment has been used, but only rarely by some States
to correct and abate otherwise insoluable pollution impacts; continuing
operating and maintenance costs using direct treatment can be burdensome.
The continued validity of each case of exception to national goal water
use designation because of abandoned mine pollution should be reviewed
every three years as a part of the Water Quality Standards review process.
WQM Task - Perform an environmental assessment of the selected
abandoned source abatement subplan.
The environmental assessment for the selected subplan
should be prepared in greater detail than previously
accomplished for each alternative subplan and include
a wider range of social, economic and broader environ-
mental impacts. EPA's guidance document "Environmental
Assessment of Water Quality Management Plans, " October
1976, contains further discussion of this topic.
5. 3 Abatement Program Implementation
In implementing abatement programs and in actually accomplishing
abatement projects, a series of tasks should be repeated. The task sequence
is described below:
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5-18
WQM Task - Conduct watershed feasibility studies for source
abatement in highest priority areas.
The watershed feasibility study involves a more
intensive survey within a priority watershed. The
purpose is to develop a specific abatement plan
for a defined surface water drainage area or ground
water recharge zone.
Recommendation of a specific abatement plan is the
final step prior to initiating the engineering design
projects for abatement of particular pollution sources.
The watershed feasibility study may be considered
either as the last and most detailed stage of the WQM
process done by or through the WQM agency, or as
the first stage of the actual implementation process
done by the management agency.
The feasibility study involves most of the major steps
found in the identification and assessment process
described in Chapter 2. 0 and the selection of controls
process described in Chapter 3. 0, but at a level of
specific detail necessary to define the scope, purpose
and objectives of actual engineering design projects
for abatement of individual sources.
WQM Task - Perform engineering design for abatement projects and
carry out the required field work, reclamation, and
construction efforts.
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5-19
WQM Task - Monitor post-abatement water quality and biological
recovery to determine and assess water quality and
beneficial use improvements achieved through abatement
project work.
Post-abatement monitoring information is needed to
document the effectiveness of applied abatement
measures. This information may influence estimates
of cost effectiveness and the choice of pollution control
techniques for other sources. To properly gauge the
long-term effects, chemical and biological monitoring
may be conducted for five or more years following
application of abatement measures. Reworking of
abandoned tailings and other mine-related wastes may
sometimes cause temporary increases in pollution
levels because of exposure of new material to oxidation
and weathering processes. Ground water contamination
problems may also be slow to improve following
accomplishment of abatement efforts and may require
relatively longer monitoring periods for proper docu-
mentation of improvements.
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CHAPTER 6. 0
NEW SOLRCE POLLUTION CONTROL PLANNING
6. 1 New Source WQM Program Requirements
\VQ]\' planning for new mine-related water pollution sources is
required of WQTU agencies under Part 1,'U of EPA's Rules and Regulations,
"Preparation of Water Quality Management Plans. "
The WQI\' planning requirements cited in Subpart 131. 10(g) of the
regulations which relate most directly to future-oriented planning are:
1. Water quality assessment and segment classification;
2. Inventories and projections;
:•]. Nonpoint source assessment;
4. Industrial waste treatment system needs; and
5. Nonpoint source control needs.
Pollution control planning efforts conducted by State and areawide WQM
agencies which are related to new sources of water pollution from new
mine-related industrial operations will fall into one of two categories:
(1) routine new source planning; or (2) major new development planning.
Consideration of routine new point and nonpoint mine-related sources
will be a standard component of all WQ1\1 programs. Routine new source
\VQM planning involves projecting the impacts of ongoing, mine-related
pollution sources on water quality and beneficial water uses for the 20
year planning period. This projection is accomplished largely by extra-
polating current trends, and the operation of existing control systems
or of proposed control system alternatives into future years.
WQT\1 planning for major new expansions, developments or other
initiatives of mine-related industries, however, will only be appropriate
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6-2
within those relatively few jurisdictions that anticipate large-scale
increases or changes in the character of current mine-related industries.
The need to conduct an effective planning effort will be most urgent and
demanding in those areas where major new initiatives are expected
during the first five-year planning period (1979-1983). The need for such
new source planning will be less critical (and initially of somewhat lower
priority) in those cases where significant new developments are not
expected before 1983. Routine new source planning still will have to be
conducted in most areas where major new development planning is
needed. For example, the need to examine future impacts from sand
and gravel, stone quarrying and other common variety operations will
still exist in areas anticipating major new coal, lignite, oil, gas, oil
shale, geothermal, phosphate or other mineral industrial developments.
The most important distinction between the routine and the major
development planning orientations is the different basis each one must
use for water quality problem recognition and control strategy development.
In routine planning, the biggest part of problem recognition and control
design is predicated on the known impacts of current and recently com-
pleted mine-related operations on water quality and the documented
effectiveness of existing control systems in preventing and controlling
these pollutant contributions. In new development planning, on the other
hand, problems which presently may not exist will often have to be
anticipated, and appropriate control systems developed on the basis of
potential impacts from projected mine-related operations. Planning
for major new mine-related industrial developments also will often
involve projecting secondary associated growth impacts that may
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6-3
result in substantial increases in municipal and other industrial point
source and nonpoint source loads.
Continuing water quality management and WQM planning processes
for new mine-related sources are discussed in Chapter 7.0.
6. 2 1'ollution Control Planning for Routine New Sources
WQM planning for new mine-related sources will be a part of
virtually all WQM programs. Routine new source planning should be
accomplished simultaneously using a similar sequence of tasks with
current and abandoned mine-related WQM efforts (see Chapters 2. 0,
3. 0 and 5.0).
The initial definition of control/management system needs in
Chapter 1.0, Section 1. 3, involved an examination of past, present
and future mine-related industrial operations within the planning area.
In the majority of instances, distinctions between requirements for
routine new source planning (described in this Section) and for major
new development planning (described in Section 6. 3) can be made on
the basis of information readily available to WQM advisory committees,
from sources such as: (1) mining industry representatives; (2) State
Geological Survey; (3) State Bureau of Mines; (4) U. S. U. I. Geological
Survey; and (5 ) U. S. D. I. Bureau of Mines.
Each of the major identification and assessment tasks presented in
Chapter 2. 0 and the majority of the current source control tasks presented
in Chapter 3.0 should be performed. Routine new source WQM tasks
include:
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6-4
WQM Task - Subcategorize mine-related sources.
All new mine-related industrial operations which are
expected to be active within the 20 year planning period,
but especially within the first 5 years of that period, should
be recognized as potential pollution source subcategories
for which advance control planning should be initiated.
WQM Task - Review Water Quality Standards.
Water Quality Standards should include as criteria all those
specific pollutant parameters associated with new mine-
related point and nonpoint source subcategories.
Integration of biological indices and criteria into revised
Water Quality Standards may help to gauge impacts of
nonpoint source pollutants on aquatic life.
State governments should also review their anti-degradation
policies, particularly in relation to the gradual degradation
of existing high quality and Xational resource waters and
sole source aquifers. Over a period of years, degradation
may occur as a result of some forms of extensive mining
and other mineral industrial activities. Such degradation can
occur even when all mine-related operations are conducted
under an established permit control system. Water pollution,
which occurs in spite of operation of a control system, most
often can be traced to a lack of rigorous enforcement combined
with the technical limitations of the best available preventive
measures and control practices, with emphasis on the former.
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WQ1V1 Task - Projection of future mine-related sources.
As a part of the inventory and projection effort required
to comply with Part 131. ll(c)(l) of EPA's published Rules
and Regulations, the extent of new mine-related sources
should be projected through the 20 year WQIV1 planning
period. At a minimum, the anticipated number of new
point and nonpoint sources of each type and/or the extent
of affected area should be estimated. The number of
previously mined areas that could be reaffected by the
mining industry is an important factor in predicting future
water quality impacts, as is the number and extent of
future.1 inactive and abandoned sites. The implications of
predicted growth in oilier municipal and industrial cate-
gories which influence demand for mineral commodities
may help in estimating future levels of activity in some
mine -related industrial subcategories . For example, once
estimates of future growth in road, housing and other
construction activities are estimated, the quantities of
locally mined and processed sand and gravel, and crushed
stone? from rock quarries needed for these projects also
can be estimated.
\umerical estimates of new sources within each surface
watershed or ground water recharge zone should be
prepared as a part of routine projection efforts. If
mining is not central to the WQA! program no need exists
to investigate detailed location of recoverable mineral
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6-6
deposits and specific development sites. However,
economic geology information showing the general
drainage areas where new mineral industrial activity will
take place should be used. Also, any available information
concerning relative pollution hazards associated with
different future sources should be integrated into the
projection. This information may include geochemical,
hydrological or topographic data from areas of anticipated
future mine-related activity. Exhaustive studies of economi-
cally recoverable mineral deposits, mineral rights and
surface rights ownership are more appropriate for \VQM
planning for major new developments than for modest
routine planning efforts.
A/line-related activity projections, even when highly
generalized, can be useful for identifying potential control
needs. Kor example, assume that a given jurisdiction
includes 100 active and 200 inactive or abandoned mineral
industrial operations sites. Also, assume that: (l)the
average site remains active for 5 years; (2) 20 new sites
open each year (assuming ready availability of new mineral
development sites); and (3) 20 currently operating sites are
abandoned or become inactive each year. Under these
conditions, at the end of a 20 year planning period, 100
sites would still be actively operating, while the antici-
pated number of inactive or abandoned operations sites
would have grown from 100 to 500.
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6-7
The level of detail used in new mine-related source
projection will depend on how sophisticated an analysis
is planned for assessing water qualty impacts and
evaluating control needs.
WQM Task - Perform water quality and nonpoint source assessment
and segment classification.
Part 131.11(b){l) of EPA's Rules and Regulations states
that one of the elements which "shall be included in each
water quality management plan . . . [is] an assessment
of existing and potential water quality problems within
the approved planning area or designated areawide
planning area, including the types and degree of problems
and the sources of pollutants (both point and nonpoint sources)
contributing to the problem. " Mine-related industrial new
source projections should be used as the basis for predicting
water quality and beneficial water use impacts. One of
the first tasks involves recognizing specific water pollutants
and hydrologic impacts likely to ba associated with each
projected type of mine-related industrial operation. The
amount of emphasis on quantification of pollutant loads
likely will be relatively low, particularly from mine-related
nonpoint sources. Recognition of the need for quantitative
load estimates will be tempered by both the reliability of
available prediction methods and the amount of pre-operations
planning effort which is likely to be accomplished for each
new source prior to its activation under existing or proposed
regulatory controls. In addition to State and local p?rmit
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6-8
requirements, environmental impact statements or
assessments may be prepared by EPA for some new NPDES
permits in compliance with the requirements of NEPA.
In classifying drainage segments as either "water quality
limited" or as "effluent limited", vVQM agencies must
recognize future pollutant loads or load potential, as well
as existing loads. Part 131. ll(b)(2)(ii) of EPA's Rules and
Regulations states that, "Water quality problems generally
shall be described in terms of existing or potential violations of
water quality standards. " In addition to violations of standards,
potential degradation is also an important concern. Part
130. 17(e)(2)of EPA's Rules and Regulations states that
"Existing high quality waters which exceed those levels
necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife
and recreation in and on the water shall be maintained and
protected unless the State chooses ... to allow lower water
quality [but still without violating vVater Quality Standards) . . . .
Additionally, no degradation shall be allowed in high quality
waters which constitute an outstanding National resource, such
as waters of National and State parks and wildlife refuges and
water of exceptional recreational and ecological significance.
Effluent guidelines limitations for new mine-related industrial
poiijt sources in all mineral subcategories (including in some
cases "no discharge" requirements) will be useful for estimating
future point source load contributions. However, volumes of
ilows will have to be estimated. Probably the easiest method
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6-9
for quantitative projection of future loads is to use the
same method as was used for estimating existing loads
from current and abandoned sources. The status of predictive
models for estimating loadings, transport and in-stream
water quality and beneficial use impacts of mine-related
pollutants was discussed briefly in Chapter 2.0, Section
2.2. 6.
Modeling is unlikely to generate absolutely accurate estimates,
but such analyses may at least reflect the potential magnitude
of future problems and associated control needs. The most
realistic projections of potential loads can be prepared
where future sources are similar to existing sources, and
where models have been appropriately calibrated and verified.
Gross quantitative estimates of future potential pollution loads
or maximum in-stream concentrations may be developed
from mineral production forecasts or projections. This
approach would require than an empirical relationship
be established between production of a given mineral and
attendant potential pollution contributions and impacts.
Impacts of unregulated subcategories, recognized to be
contributing sources of pollution, should be estimated.
The cumulative future potential impact of small operations,
which presently may be excluded from control may be
in this category. The cumulative impact of an increasingly
large number of unregulated sites, which become inactive
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6-10
or abandoned over the 20 year planning period, should
be considered, as well as any growth in the number or
the extent of active operations across the same period.
If mine-related operations and closedown procedures could
be well planned and sufficiently controlled, long-term mine-
relatod pollutant contributions could approach zero. The
best available preventive measures and control practices
(BMP's) are seldom so well chosen and conscientiously
applied, but even when this does occur, some level of long-
term pollutant contribution to surface water and/or ground
water may still take place. Because of technical limitations,
such lingering problems may remain even when BMP's are
applied. Kor planning and impact projection purposes,
if long-term, mine-related pollution contributions are pre-
dicted to be nominal (i. e. , so extremely low that even
their cumulative effects are judged insignificant), and if
potential pollutant contributions from post-mining land
uses are expected to be large by comparison, further
consideration of such inactive or abandoned mine-related
sites as contributing mine-related pollution sources may be
ended, and their contributions neglected.
A former surface mine supporting native or introduced
tree growth should not automatically be assumed to be
equivalent to a forest in the hydrologic sense. The water
quality and beneficial water use implications of proposed
post-mining land uses must be dealt with by appropriate
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6-11
administrative linkages to other water pollution control
programs for sources in other categories, such as agri-
culture, silviculture, urban drainage, etc,
The probable future impact of mine-related activities on
water quality is estimated by projecting existing trends and
conditions across the 20 year planning period A separate
projection should be attempted for improvements in proposed
control systems that would reduce pollution contributions
from presently existing sources, near-term future sources,
and more distant future sources.
Planned reductions in pollutant contributions from inactive
and/or abandoned mine-related sources from operation of
abatement programs should be factored into the 20 year
water quality projection.
The projection of future impacts from mine-related activities
should serve as the basis for recognizing potential water
pollution contributions that would require prevention and
control. These potential contributing sources are those
not likely to be adequately controlled, by the existing
system, or by implementation and continued operation of
an earlier proposed control strategy for current sources.
Those components of the existing, or of the proposed,
control systems projected to be inadequate or ineffective
in dealing with future pollution sources should be specifically
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6-12
identified and strategies for more effective control and
management developed.
WQM Task - Develop alternative control and management system strategies.
Technical aspects of alternative strategies for future sources
should be based on previously identified control methods,
measures, procedures, practices and techniques which
are applicable to each mine-related source subcategory
(see Chapter 3.0, Section 3.3). Some experimental control
methods which were classified earlier as not yet ready
for practical application, may be ready for implementation
at some point during the 20 year planning period. Repre-
sentatives of mine-related industries should provide ideas
concerning practical control methods and measures to deal
with anticipated future problems. The legal prerequisites
and managerial aspscts and economic implications of
alternative control strategies should also be examined.
Some alternatives might involve description of a phased
series of actions scheduled to take place at specified time
intervals over the 20 year span.
WQM Task - Estimate the effectiveness of alternative control strategies.
The probable effectiveness and limitations of alternative
control strategies should be estimated to aid in comparing
and selecting subplans. As described earlier in Chapter 3.0,
Section 3.3, land use requirements for new mine-related
sources would be included in a "fully effective" control
system when permitted mine operations alternatives,
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6-13
including a system applying BMP's, are projected to fail
to meet water quality goals or to adequately protect
beneficial water uses.
WQM Task - Select a new source control subplan.
The selected control subplan should be the most effective
in preventing and controlling all forms of mine -related
water pollution and adverse beneficial water use impacts
which can be implemented at either the State or the area-
wide level.
WQM Task - Perform an environmental assessment of the chosen new
mine -related water pollution control subplan.
In addition to description of the water quality, beneficial
use, and economic implications of implementing a new
source control subplan, broader social and other environ-
mental consequences of carrying out the selected subplan
should be assessed
The selected new source control subplan should be integrated
with chosen current and abandoned mine controls and be
made a part of the complete State or areawide WQM plan.
6. 3 Pollution Control Planning for Major New Mine-related Industrial
Developments
Pollution control plans for major new mine-related industrial developments
projected during the 20 year period, will follow a task sequence similar to
that of routine planning, but with a number of important distinctions.
Development planning must consider associated growth in other sectors
(in population, housing, industry, utilities, etc. ) which is likely to accompany
large-scale, mine-related industrial expansion. This type of planning also
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6-14
will require greater depth and detail in projection of mine-related industrial
activities, and may have to deal more thoroughly with antidegradation
issues than will routine new source planning. In an area anticipating major
new mine -related industrial development, it is also probable that the
impacts of future water demands (quantity) and hydrologic changes on
water quality and beneficial uses may require examination.
Only three of the nine routine new source planning tasks (see Section 6. 2)
may differ markedly when applied to new development planning. (These
tasks are identified with an asterisk in the following list. )
*WQM Task - Identify new source subcategories.
All potential point and nonpoint pollution source subcategories
associated with major new mine-related developments should
be recognized. Potential sources include those which are
directly mine-related, and those stemming from associated
growth and development.
Directly mine-related source subcategories would include
all contributing sources associated with mineral exploration
activities, mine development, mineral extraction, mineral
transport, mineral processing, mineral storage, and mineral
waste disposal. Sources stemming from associated growth
and development impacts would include pollutant contri-
butions from mineral using industries, utilities, and expanding
industrial and municipal sources linked to growth in popu-
lation, residential and commercial development, and trans-
portation systems.
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6-15
WQM Task - Review Water Quality Standards.
Water Quality Standards should include criteria for all
those specific pollutant parameters associated with new
source suboatcgorics. Social change and population
growth resulting from major new mine-related industrial
development may also bring about changes in beneficial
surface water and ground water uses that would influence
Water Quality Standards and goals.
Task - Project new sources.
Potential sources include both those which are directly
mine-related and those which stem from associated
growth and development.
Part i:n.ll(c)(3)of the U.S. EPA's Rules and Regulations
dealing with preparation of WQM plans states that, one
of the elements which shall be included in each WQM
plan is ".. . demographic and economic growth projections
for at least a 20 year planning period, disaggregated to
the level of detail necessary to identify potential water
quality problems. " Within some major new mine-related
development areas, the potential water quality impacts
from associated growth and development may be more
substantial than the potential water quality impacts from
mine-related industrial operations per se.
Past environmental impact statements and assessment efforts
are probably the best as well as the most readily available
examples of mine-related water quality impact projection.
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6-16
Some studies in this category are:
1. "Environmental Statement for the Proposed Prototype
Oil Shale Leasing Program. " U.S. Department of
Interior, 1972.
2. "Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed
Federal Coal Leasing Program. " U. S Department
of Interior, 1974.
3. "Environmental Impact Statement for the Development
of Phosphate Resources in Southeastern Idaho. " U.S.
Department of Interior, Geological Survey, and U. S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 1976.
4. "An Environmental Assessment of Impacts of Coal
Development on the Water Resources of the Yampa
River Basin, Colorado and Wyoming. " U.S.
Department of Interior, Geological Survey, 1976.
These and other similar studies provide insight into the
various approaches and methods which may be used to
project future sources and, subsequently, to assess potential
impacts on water quality.
Standard sources of information for use in projection of
future mine-related expansion include the mining industry,
the State Geologic Survey, the U. S. Geological Survey, and
the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Mapping and interactive manipulation of mapped or geo -coded
information of different themes will frequently be an important
part of new source projection efforts.
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6-17
Every \VQRi effort will involve gathering of descriptive
land resource information as part of the natural and cultural
data base. Some data base elements will relate directly
to milling, others will describe the various natural systems
wherein mine-related activities take place. For example,
the southeastern Idaho EIS investigation completed in 1976
included geologic maps and maps showing active federal
phosphate lease boundaries, and information about appli-
cations for prospecting permits, competitive leases and
preference-right leases. As a starting point in any mine-
related activity projection, essential information includes
a description of the characteristics and extent of commercially
valuable, recoverable mineral deposits found within the
boundaries of the planning jurisdiction and data pertaining
to any limitations or conditions which might influence the
probability of future mineral development. Economic geology
information such as mineral formation and strata outcrop
maps may be useful to show the extent of commercially
valuable deposits, while land and mineral rights ownership
data and overburden depth information may be useful to
define some of the conditions and limitations to future
development.
Task - Perform a future water quality assessment and segment
classification.
The purpose of carrying out a water quality analysis effort
is to identify the location of potential water pollution sources
and the seriousness and extent of potential threats to achievement
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6-18
of water quality goals and protection of beneficial water
uses.
The "relative" versus the "quantitative" approaches to water
quality assessment were discussed in Chapter 2. 0, Section
2.2.6, as these approaches relate to estimation of pollution
loads from existing current and abandoned mine-related
sources.
Description of potential pollution hazards in relative terms
(i.e. this area is more hazardous than that area, etc. ) is
aided by examining probable interactions of anticipated mine-
related activities with existing land resources and climatic
regimes. To support this method of assessing relative
pollution hazards, the southeastern Idaho EIS study (previously
mentioned) used rainfall data, existing water quality infor-
mation, wildlife habitat maps and landtyps association maps,
in combination with geologic and mine-related activity maps.
Quantitative estimates of future mine-related water pollution
loads and their in-stream effects and beneficial use impacts
are highly desirable, but as was mentioned earlier in
Chapter 2. 0, Section 2.2.6, reliable methods for quantitative
impact prediction arc not very well developed. EPA's
"Areawide Assessment Procedures Manual", EPA-600-76-014,
describes currently available alternatives for pollutant load
modeling as including empirical methods, deterministic methods,
stochastic methods, and simulation methods. Empirical
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6-19
loading methods, such as the Universal Soil Loss Equation,
the Modified Musgrave Equation, and various loading
functions, represent the most easily applied methods. As
stated in Chapter 4 of the "Areawide Assessment Procedures
Manual", use of empirical methods for solving pollutant
loading problems "... outside the range of the original
data base is risky and should be done only with full recog-
nition of the possible errors. " The manual further points
out that application of any of the alternative methods for
estimation of pollutant loads ideally requires local calibra-
tion and testing or verification, and the opportunities for
performing meaningful calibration before calculating future
potential pollutant load estimates obviously will be limited.
Quantitative assessment is not complete until the loading
model outputs have been input to suitable pollutant transport
and water quality and beneficial water use impact models.
Water quality impact models which deliver in-stream con-
centrations must include procedures to deal with in-stream
water pollutant reactions and transformations as well as
simply to accept loadings data from loadings and transport
models.
The impacts of increased consumptive water uses on water
duality may be important in assessing major mine-related
industrial expansion impacts, particularly in arid or semi-
arid climatic zones. Subpart 130. 34(d) of EPA's Rules and
Regulations states that in the event that a "Level B" plan as
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6-20
called for under Section 209 of P. L 92-500. ". . . has not
been initiated, the State or designated areawide planning
agency shall identify the appropriate constraints on water
quality management which would be brought about by current
and projected future (twenty year period) water demands."
Water consumption and use may increase not only to support
mineral processing, mineral transport (slurry pipelines, etc. },
or other aspects of mine-related industrial activity per se,
but also may increase to supply the consumptive needs of
associated municipal and industrial growth. Recent studies
having to do with the Yellowstone Basin, in the State of
Montana, illustrate these kinds of issues involving water
quantity/quality interrelationships.
li quantitative estimation of future pollutant loads is attempted,
the effort should at least identify areas where substantial
increases in pollutant loadings should be expected to result
from anticipated mine-related industrial activities. Existing
quantitative methods are more likely to yield general in-
dications of where major loadings increases should I
expected, than they are to yield very definitive information
related to varying lesser degrees of future water quality
degradation.
The complexities of dealing with generation, delivery and
impact of pollutants from mine-related activities are no
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6-21
less intricate and involved for future operations than
previously described for current operations in Chapter 3.0.
Both poinc source and nonpoint source contributions may
directly influence surface water and/or ground water
quality, as may indirect hydologic imbalances and dis-
turbances associated with mining and mine-related
operations. Each stage and each phase of every type
of mine-related industrial activity may exert a different
and distinct influence on water quality. For example,
the authors of a recent article entitled "Impact of Coal
\l
Handling on Water Quality" stated that "Almost any
step of coal mining, transport, storage, combustion, and
disposal of refuse or residue will have an impact on the
quality of surface and subsurface waters. " Impacts during
active development and construction may differ from those
during routine operation, temporary inactivity, or long-
term closedown. Some effects will be of short duration,
while other more persistent effects may continue to
influence water quality for decades or longer. Relative
timing of different development events and rates of
development will influence water quality impacts. The
Idaho Phosphate HIS (1076) recognized this issue by
stating: "if mining, and subsequent processing, proceed
\l Motry. Amir A., and Weston. Roy l«\ , "impact of Coal Handling on
Water Quality. " Proceedings of the 21st Annual Technical Meeting of
the Institute of Environmental Sciences, "Energy and the Environment.
Anaheim, California. April 14-16, 1975.
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6-22
at a lesser rate than indicated by the mining plans as
submitted, the environmental impacts will be less. "
Actual pollutant loadings will be dependent upon methods
used in mining and associated mineral industrial operations
and the control practices and preventive measures applied.
The influence control practices and preventive measures
have on future pollutant loadings from anticipated mine-
related activities was also recognized in the Idaho
Phosphate EIS (1976): "Absolute values of suspended -
sediment concentrations are sensitive to many variables.
Without precise knowledge of mitigating [control] measures,
only order of magnitude changes can be estimated for
values of suspended-sediment concentration . . . The Forest
Service has estimated potential sediment yields as a result
of the proposed mining . . . the qualitative estimates are
presented here as indications of potential sediment yields.
They are based upon the effectiveness of past reclamation
measures. "
Given the complexities and the unavoidable uncertainties,
which are a part of any projection of impacts from future
mine-related developments on water quality, quantitative
estimates may be best used to support qualitative judgments
of pollution potential.
Remaining tasks dealing with major new mine-related industrial
development include:
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6-23
WQM Task - Recognize future water pollution control needs,
WQM Task - Develop alternative control and management system
strategies.
WQM Task - Estimate the effectiveness of alternative control
strategies.
WQM Task - Select a new source control subplan.
WQM Task - Perform an environmental assessment of the chosen
new source control subplan.
As was discussed earlier in regard to current source control subplans,
alternative control strategies for both point sources and nonpoint sources
are required. Denial of mine-related point source discharge permits
or establishment of effluent limitations more stringent than those required
under Section 301(b)(2) of P. L. 92-500 may be necessary when new*mine-
related point source discharges are projected on water quality limited
segments or on high quality water or National resource water segments
which are subject to strict antidcgradation provisions.
Major new mine-related development planning will often require
consideration of broader economic and social implications of control
alternatives than were considered in routine new source planning. Most
major new developments probably will have multi-state, regional, or
even national implications. The possible effects of control alternatives
on the mineral supply and demand situation, on user industries in both
the local mining area or in other regions of the country, on the State or
on regional energy supplies, on the Nation's balance of payments and world
markets through influences on mineral commodity imports and exports, and
even on national security, may require examination within the content of
the control subplan selection process.
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CHAPTER 7. 0
CONTINUING MINE-RELATED WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
AND WQM PLANNING
Part 130 of EPA's Rules and Regulations, entitled "Policies and
Procedures for Continuing Planning Process, " sets forth the general
requirements for a continuing State and areawide water quality manage-
ment and WQM planning process. The broad goal of this process is to
assure that the necessary institutional arrangements and management
programs are established to make and implement coordinated decisions
for achievement of water quality goals and standards within each State.
7. 1 Operational Mine-related Pollution Control and Water Quality Management
A number of the essential features of an effective water pollution control
system and management process were covered in previous Chapters and
are briefly described in the following discussion. These features include:
1. Ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the mine-related
regulatory control system in achieving its water pollution control
and beneficial water use protection objectives; including the
effectiveness of various specific mine-related control practices,
enforcement programs, preplanning permit approval procedures,
and post-operations pollution prevention.
2. Ongoing examination of more effective and more advanced
preventive measures and control practices, which may help to
better prevent or control mine-related water pollution.
3. Prompt adoption and use of the most effective preventive measures
and control practices (BMP's) currently available as improved
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7-2
measures and practices are conceived, demonstrated and shown
to be ready for practical application.
4. Integration of watershed planning and ground water recharge zone
planning into pre-operations permit review procedures to recognize
the cumulative impacts on water quality of all abandoned, current,
and new mine-related sources. This would replace isolated permit
review with an integrated, areawide water quality and beneficial
use impact evaluation.
13. Continued refinement of pollution abatement program priorities for
abandoned sources, better definition of source.1 contributions and
impacts, and identification of control mechanisms and opportunities.
6. Ongoing documentation of the effectiveness of accomplished and
continuing abatement projects for abandoned sources.
7. Ongoing direction of the overall mine-related control program,
including its enforcement aspects, priorities, and emphasis.
8. Effective integration and coordination of mine-related water
pollution control for point sources (NPUES) and nonpoint sources
(such as that coordination and integration now under way by the
new U. S. D. I. Office of Surface Alining Reclamation and Enforcement
and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to effectively control
all water pollution, including point and nonpoint source contributions,
from coalmining under l\iblic I^aw 95-87).
9. Establishment of effective ties between mine-related control
program(s) and other programs designed to deal with other
pollution source categories, including silviculture, agriculture,
construction, solid waste, etc.
10. Continued responsibility for recognition of new, or old, but
increasingly serious, mine-related water pollution sources,
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7-3
assessment of their water quality and beneficial use impacts,
formulation of control alternatives, and implementation and
operation of appropriately selected control systems. Pollution
resulting from the consequences of mine-related hydrologic system
disruptions and imbalances, increased mine-related industrial
water consumption, polluant contributions from future inactive or
abandoned mineral industrial operations sites, and ground water
pollution, should all be included within the scope of the continuing
identification, assessment, and control selection and implementation
process.
7. 2 Continuing WQM Planning
The operational mine-related water quality management and pollution
control process must be effectively linked to the whole continuing WQM
planning process, required by P. T.. 92-500. and EPA's subsequently issued
llulos and Regulations.
[Establishing proper linkages and coordinating mechanisms can be a
difficult task if existing arrangements are poorly developed. However,
this program element will be important in determining how well State
water quality goals aro achieved and beneficial water uses are protected
by all the varied point and nonpoint source pollution control systems.
I'art LiO of EPA's regulations requires that the State, and in some
eases the aroawido, continuing \VQ1M planning process should provide for:
1. 1 \iblic participation;
2. Intergovernmental input;
3. Coordination of State and nreawide planning with one another and
with all other related- l-'ederal, State, interstate., and local
planning activities;
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7-4
4. Preparation, adoption, and continuing revision of both State and
areawide water quality management plans;
5. Establishment and implementation of regulatory and other than
regulatory control programs;
6. Development, review, adoption, and periodic reexamination and
revision (every three years) of Water Quality Standards;
7. Development, adoption, and implementation of a statewide policy
on anti-degradation;
8. Review and certification of areawide WQM plans and annual
revisions to such plans;
9. A State management program to oversee continuing areawide
WQfti planning efforts;
10. Establishment and continuing involvement of a policy advisory
committee;
11. Coordination of permit actions of the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) with current WQ3V1 plan provisions; and
12. Assumption of responsibility for achieving all the requirements
of Section 208 of Public Law 92-500.
The overall water quality management requirement which the
continuing management and \VQI\I planning process must be designed
to serve is stated in Section 201(c) of P. L. 92-500:
"To the extent practicable, waste treatment management shall
be on an areawide basis and provide control or treatment of
all point and nonpoint sources of pollution, including in place
or accumulated pollution sources. "
WQM planning involves more than simply developing a static plan
of defined components in a specified time period. Rather, the vVQM
program fulfills a broader purpose as stated in Section 208(f)(l) of
P L. 92-500:
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7-5
"... of developing and operating a continuing [Statewide or]
areawide waste treatment management planning process"
Initial State and areawide WQM plans represent the first outputs
from operation of this continuing WQM planning process; a process which
is intended to operate indefinitely into the future.
Annual requirements for outputs from each of the States to U. S. EPA,
which are specifically called for by regulation under this continuing WQM
planning process, include:
1. An annual review and revision, if necessary, of the continuing
WQM planning process itself;
2. An annual revision and updating of both State and areawide WQM
plans, which are intended to guide decision-making over at
least a 20 year span of time in increments of 5 years;
3. An annual revision and preparation of a new five-year State
Strategy which sets forth the Spate's major objectives,
approaches, and priorities for preventing and controlling
water pollution; and
4. An annual State program plan which establishes the immediate
program objectives, identifies the resources committed to
the State program for the coming year, and provides a mechanism
for reporting progress toward achievement of program objectives.
-------
APPENDIX A
-------
APPENDIX A
EXAMPLE - MINE SITE IIYDHOIXXUC EXAMINATION
The hydrology of representative mine sites within major mine-related
source subcategori.es should be examined and understood.
All surface water and ground water inputs, water, and point and
nonpoint source pollutant transfers and outputs should be identified. Inter-
relationships among the various components should be defined, including
the mechanisms of pollutant formation. Mine-related interruptions,
disruptions, and imbalances to preexisting site hydrology, both temporary
and permanent, should be recognized and understood.
Figures A-l and A-2 illustrate a hypothetical active surface mining
opt.'ration. Inputs of water to the mine site have been identified. The
various modes and pathways of water and pollutant transfer from the mine
site to receiving surface and ground waters have been diagrammed. Both
point source and nonpoint source pathways of transfer have been included
tn the diagram.
Distinctions between point sources and nonpoint sources which are
described here are intended only to reflect current working NPDES definitions;
these source distinctions, as described, do not purport to reflect the ulti-
mate limits of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's authority under
the Water Pollution Control Act Amendments to define point sources of
discharge from mining, and to promulgate and require compliance with
appropriate effluent limitations. Collection and treatment may be a
practical control alternative for some sources which are now defined in
relation to NPDES as being nonpoint sources. Any control agency possessing
sufficient independent regulatory control authority is free to establish
eftluent limitations and require treatment of any nonpoint source within
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FIGURE A-1- REPRESENTATION OF A HYPOTHETICAL CURRENT SURFACE MINING OPERATION
-------
FIGURE A-2 - WATER INPUTS AND POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCE WATER AND POLLUTANT TRANSFER
PATHWAYS FROM A HYPOTHETICAL CURRENT SURFACE MINING OPERATION
Ji*
PRECIPITATION
X , f ~ *s—- '
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riNDBLOWN FyGirivt DUST
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ACTIVE MINE RUNOFF COLLECTION DITCH
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. VVA i i H A.NI/ I-IM i u I AM i i tiAtj'.i i ir.
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t
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URFACE SEEPAGE
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PCflCOLAT,ON\ = *^CTURE/ *^IV^ = *QUICLUD€
in\_: aar / °**»*w'*i
CONTAMINATED SUBSURFACE WATER DISCHARGE
CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE
IVERTED DRAINAGE BASIN OVERF 1
REGARDED OVERBURDEN LEACHATE DISCHARGE
WATER -
DISCHARGE ;
LEACHATE
DISCHARGE
. -
P\Nj
I J I III! i N HIM _
OVERBU
LEACMATE
PERCOLATION
SURFACE SEEPAGE
T RE AT MF WT pfTpu rT^™^^^^1^-^^^ f" ^ nc^ i cv ••« lEnv^ulLKI ^AMH T IMG
„, Illlllllllllllll liniirilllllllllUMIMMI II I III 11 HIM N " ' "'" ^-INOfl UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS
DIVERTED
DRAINAGE
BASIN 1
GROtJN
SURFACE
SEEPAGE
^SUBSURFACE
LEAKAGE
IMI Ul I Illll III I III! 1 1 II 1 1 1 1
V ^»6UBSURFACE
GROUNOWATER LEAKA
NTHtATEO STOBM RUNOFF BVPAS
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OWATEH
LEAKAGE
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A-4
the limits of its own authority. Effluent limitations established for sources
not now controlled under NPDES (sources which are by definition, nonpoint
sources) may be made more or less stringent than limitations applicable
to related point sources under NPDES at the discretion of the control agency,
but any such independently established limitations must be consistent with
meeting water quality goals and standards.
If, however, current NPDES point source definitions should be modified
in the future to include a source which is currently defined as a nonpoint
source, any effluent limitations which have been independently established
by a control agency for such a source would subsequently have to be made
at least as stringent as those limitations promulgated under NPDES for that
new point source category.
Each aspect of the surface mine example shown in Figures A-l and
A-2 is discussed further in the following explanation:
A. Water Inputs To the Mine Site
1. Precipitation - timing, intensity and quantity of precipitation
are a function en local climatic conditions.
2. Undisturbed area runoff - surface runoff from adjacent
undisturbed areas may be intercepted by drainage diversion
ditches and routed around the active mine site.
3. Subsurface water seepage - proximate and deeper subsurface
water may enter the min:? as seepage from adjacent areas
above the level of thj £vo-.uul > *ater table.
4. Ground water seepage - ground water seepage into the mine may
occur in those cases where the mine pit or shaft extends below
the ground water table. The mine pit of the surface mine shown
-------
A-5
in Figure A-l is above ground water level, so ground water
seepage does not occur. The exploratory boreholes in Figure A-l
extend into the unconfined aquifer; if the aquifer were artesian
rather than unconfined, such boreholes might represent channels
of ground water flow into the mine, rather than pathways of
drainage from it.
Once water has entered the active mine area, pit water accumulation,
runoff, infiltration, evaporation, and water retention storage will take
place internally. Chemical reactions also may occur. Minerals may
oxidize or hydrolyze, and different minerals may react with one other, or
produce intermediate products which cause further chemical reactions to
occur elsewhere.
Wind action may be responsible for movement of windblown fugitive
dust from the active mine area to adjacent reclaimed or undisturbed areas.
These windblown materials may then contaminate surface runoff, proximate
subsurface water, and/or ground water recharge.
B. Water Storage on the Aline Site
1. Water retention storage - water retention storage will normally
take place within mineral overburden or other disturbed mineral
materials on the mine site.
2. Mine water - water may accumulate in the pit of surface mines
or within the workings of other mines. Normally such water
-------
A-6
would be pumped out and discharged as a dewatering
point source.
3. Catchments - small catchments of water may occur within
mineral overburden or elsewhere within the workings of
an active mine, increasing local evaporation, or infil-
tration, or both.
4. Pond and process water - Figure A-l illustrates water storage
in an active mine runoff and pit dewatering treatment pond.
In other kinds of mineral industry operations, water may be
retained within the active area for washing or processing,
or within slurry, slime, or tailings settling basins, with
or without discharge outlets.
Water and pollutant outputs from current mining operations include
both point source discharges and nonpoint source transfer mechanisms.
Figures A-l and A-2 show two types of point source discharges and 10 non-
point source water pollution transfer mechanisms and pathways for contami-
nated water movement.
C. Current Mining Point Source Discharges
1. I\linc Dewatering Discharges - (a discrete point source) -
accumulations of water in the mine pit or mine workings
may have to be pumped out to allow normal mine operations
to continue. Pumped mine dewatering discharges are point
sources covered by NPDES permits and therefore are limited
by NPDES effluent guidelines.
-------
A-7
2. Collected Active Mine Area Runoff Discharges
(a discrete point source following collection) - discharges
*"rom active mine area runoff collection ditches are point
sources limited by NPDES effluent guidelines.
Active mine area runoff and pumped pit dewatering discharges
may be channelled through the same or separate treatment ponds or
systems prior to discharge into receiving waters. Such treatment ponds
or systems must be designed to handle pit water and runoff volumes
associated with a once in 10-year, 24-hour storm event. In case of a
precipitation event which exceeds treatment system capacity, untreated
excess storm runoff may be discharged to receiving waters without
meeting effluent limitations.
D. Current Mining Nonpoint Sources
1. Regraded Area Runoff (a diffuse nonpoint source) -
immediate surface runoff from surface mined areas which
have been returned to final grade constitutes a nonpoint
source under current NPDES definitions. Runoff following
regrading throughout amendment application and re vegetation
is included in this category. Regraded area runoff may
be sediment laden and should be channelled through a sediment
basin or other treatment system prior to discharge into
receiving waters. Regraded area runoff entering a sediment
basin may also contain some quantities of regraded spoil
leachate, spoil seepage, proximate subsurface water seepage,
and ground water discharge.
-------
A-8
2. Regradedjjverburden I <;achate (a diffuse nonpoint source) -
infiltration of precipitation on regraded overburden may result
in percolation of reclaimed overburden leachate into under-
lying, undisturbed soil or geologic strata. Such leachate
may move downward as contaminated ground water recharge
or laterally as proximate subsurface water. Contaminated
subsurface water may emerge on the surface as polluted,
proximate; subsurface water seepage. I/jachate may also
be transferred downwards through unsealed boreholes to
underlying strata.
'•*>• Hegraded Overburden Seepage (a diffuse nonpoint source) -
precipitation which has infiltrated into regraded overburden
may emerge at the bottom of regraded soil slopes as surface
leachate seepage and, thereafter, become a constituent of
regraded/reclaimed area surface runoff.
4. A(• tivr* I\1 ine IM.t:_ Water Leakage (a diffuse contribution from
a permitted point source) accumulations of water in the
mine pit or mine workings may slowly leak into underlying
strata, l^t water may also move through unsealed bore
holes into underlying strata.
5. Active Overburden [.< qchate (a diffuse contribution from
a permitted point source) - precipitation which has in-
filtrated into active mineral overburden may emerge as
leachage and percolate into underlying strata. Active
overburden leachate may also bo transferred downward
into underlying strata through unsealed bore holes or
-------
A-9
through natural fractures and joints. Contaminants may
also be transferred slowly from active mine pit water
and saturated overburden by diffusion into adjacent strata.
6. Diverted Drainage Discharges (a non-permitted discrete
discharge) - surface runoff from adjacent, undisturbed or
regradcd. reclaimed areas may be diverted around the
active mine site. Drainage diversion ditches may erode
and produce sediment laden, and less frequently, chemically
contaminated, discharges requiring appropriate control.
Control of diversion system pollution caused by the mining
operation may bo achieved cither through use of practices
and measures to prevent and reduce erosion (Best Management
Practices) and/or by installing, operating and maintaining
suitable treatment facilities, such as sediment basins. Erosion
control practices include proper engineering design of the
drainage diversion system, with gently sloping bank and ditch
.gradients capable of carrying expected peak runoff volumes,
and use of such stabilization measures as mulching, vegetation,
riprap or ditch linings. Chemically contaminated surface flows
may also result in subsurface leakage and surface seepage of
pollutants from unlined ditches and treatment ponds.
7. Uncontrolled Storm Overflow^ from Point Source Treatment Systems
(an unregulated contribution from a discrete, permitted point
source) - point source treatment and control systems installed
under NPDKS permit must be designed to adequately handle
water volumes from active mine runoff and pit workings
dnwatering associated with a once in 10-year, 24-hour storm.
-------
A-10
Excessive storm overflow from larger precipitation events
may be discharged without meeting NPDES effluent limitations.
8. High Instantaneous Point Source Pollutant Concentrations
(an unregulated contribution from a discrete, permitted point
source) - concentrations of specific pollutants in point source
discharges are not permitted to exceed specified 30 day
average daily maximum values and single day average
instantaneous maximum values. It is possible that high
single instantaneous concentrations of regulated pollutants
may be discharged over short periods without violating either
single day average or 30-day average maximum effluent
limitations.
9. Unregulated Contaminants in Point Source Discharges
(an unregulated contribution from a discrete, permitted
point source) - point source pollutants in discharges
regulated by XPDES permit are selected for regulation
based upon the "Best Practicable Control Technology
Currently Available" (BPCTCA) and the 'Best Available
Technology Economically Achievable' (BATEA). ftiinor
pollutants occurring in concentrations normally not
high enough to have deleterious effects, which are
partially controlled by removal of other major pollutants,
or which are not feasible to control by treatment, are not
included under effluent discharge limitations, even though
concentrations at individual mine sites may rise above
desirable levels.
NPDES effluent limitations for existing point sources in
the acid or ferruginous coal mine-drainage category
-------
A-U
regulate pH, total suspended solids, and total manganese.
(Final Rules, Federal Register, Vol. 42, No. 80. Page 213,
April 26, 1977). Other pollutant parameters which may
be present but are not specifically regulated in coal mining
category discharges include dissolved iron, aluminum,
nickel, zinc, fluoride, strontium, ammonia, sulfate and
total dissolved solids.
Sediment basins to remove suspended solids from point
source mine discharges are required by NPDES permits
to handle 10-year, 24-hour stormwater runoff volumes,
together with any dewatering or process water, without
regard for the particle size distribution of influent suspended
solids. Discharges carrying relatively large amounts of
fine silt and clay sized particles could result if detention
time is inadequate to cause fine grained sediments to settle.
Fine suspended solids could be discharged from sediment
basins without limitation, and technically without violating
NPDES permit provisions, even during storm events smaller
than the 10-year, 24-hour design storm. Discharges associated
with snowmelt, rather than rainfall, may also be discharged
without limitation.
10. Active Mine Runoff and Pit Workings Water Treatment Pond
Leakage and Seepage (a diffuse contribution from a permitted
point source) - unlined treatment ponds may leak contaminated
water to underlying strata or may contribute surface seepage
into adjacent surface waters or natural drainways leading to
surface waters. Even when proper engineering design criteria
-------
A-12
have been used in earthen dike or embankment construction,
seeps and leaks may develop over time from a number of
causes, including the action of burrowing animals such as
nutria, muskrats, etc.
-------
APPENDIX B
-------
APPENDIX B
DISCUSSION OF WATER QUALITY IMPLICATIONS
OF MINE-RE LA TED INDUSTRY ACTIONS
The nature and timing of mine -related actions will determine the
interactions with pre-existing site conditions, the changes in those conditions,
and the impacts on surface water and ground water quality and beneficial
uses that will occur during and following the operations.
The interactions and the effects of industry actions on site conditions
can be appreciated through:
1 An orderly classification of operations sequences, including a
differentiation of rapidly developed versus gradually developed
features, and functional versus nonfunctional operations and
their resultant constructs.
2. An evaluation of the generation and delivery of each type of
pollutant to receiving surface water and ground water. Such an
evaluation would include both the adverse and the ameliorating
water quality impacts associated with each stage of each separate
operation and with each alternative operating method.
3. An examination of each action in temporal relation to climatic events,
receiving water conditions and beneficial uses. The timing,
duration and developmental stage of mine features are highly
relevant to an understanding of the potential for causing pollution.
Table B-l presents examples of site features from several, separate
operations. Distinctions are made between functional and nonfunctional
mine features, and rapidly developed and gradually developed mine features.
Stages in the active life of each feature are described.
-------
TABLE B-l AN EXAMPLE CLASSIFICATION OF MINE-RELATED FUNCTIONAL AND NONFUNCTIONAL
OPERATIONS SITE FEATURES BY STAGES
NONFUNCTIONAL
FUNCTIONAL
STAGES
Devel opment
RAPID
Strip
Mine
Pit
Open
Pit
Mine
(Possible Functional
GRADUAI
Deep
Mine
Workings
Uses)
Well Emplacement
RAPID
Mine Road Sediment
Basin
GRADUAL
Tailings/Refuse
Slime/ Sludge
Disposal Area
Stabilization
Continuing Use
Regrading/ N.A.
Revegeta-
tion
N.A.
N.A.
Casing
(Mineral (Haulage/ Oil or Gas
Extraction) Ventilation) Extraction
Drainage Slope
Control Revege-
Installation tation
Hauling
Mineral
Sediment
Removal
Sediment In-
filtration and
Dust Control
Waste
Disposal
CD
I
Periodic
Maintenance
Reseeding
as
Required
N.A.
Debri s
Removal
Cracked
Casing
Replacement
Grading
Watering
Sediment
Removal
and
Disposal
Control
Measure
Maintenance
Inactivation
or
Closure
N.A.
Flooding,
or
Partial
Backfilling
and Revegeta-
tion
Shaft
Sealing
Well Sealing
Barrier
Installation
and
Revegetation
Embankment
Leveling
Basin
Backfilling
Revegetation
Regrading, Seal
Burying, and
Revegetation
-------
B-3
Rapidly developed nonfunctional features, such as strip mine pits,
may be severe pollution sources for a short period only and then be
stabilized by a reclamation process.
Gradually developed large open pit mines and deep mine workings
expand slowly and may gradually become more significant sources of
water pollution, especially ground water pollution, over time.
Rapidly developed functional mine features, such as mine haul roads,
may be severe pollution sources for a brief period during construction,
and then gradually stabilize with proper erosion and drainage control
installation. Functional sources, however, fulfill some continuous
operational use as part of the mine-related activity. Continuing use and
maintenance of such functional mine features may result in additional
pollution contributions throughout the term of their active life.
Table B-2 is an example of a past effort to estimate the environmental
impacts of various methods of coal surface mining which was published in
EPA 430/9-73-014 "Methods for Identifying and Evaluating the Nature and
Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants.1' Water quality impacts expressed
in Table B-2 represent judgments of pollution potential supported by both
field experience in the coal mining industry and appreciation for the
sequence of physical conditions produced at the mine site during appli-
cation of each different mining method. Steep mountain contour mining
accomplished with no placement of spoils on the downslope is shown to have
a very modest surface water pollution impact potential, while conventional
contour stripping is shown to have a severe adverse impact potential.
Table B-3 represents a past effort to estimate the environmental
effects of each of the discrete activities and the stages which are involved
in carrying out a coal surface mining and reclamation operation. This
-------
TABLE B-2
ESTIMATED ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF COAL SURFACE MINING-
Mining Tech
Area Mininj:
Without reclamation
With reclamation!/
Contour raining (spoils on downs lope):
Conventional contour strip
Contour strip with spoils shaping
Contour strip with terrace backfilling
Contour atrip with contour backfilling
Auger ing from narrow bench
Contour mining (no spoils on downs lope):
Modified block cut
Long wall surface
Augering with backfilling
.ronmental indicators:—
Water
Surface
Pollution
1-2
0-1
3
1-3
; 1-2
; 1
1-3
1
0-1
0-1
Groundwater
0-1
0-1
0-1
0
0
0
1-3
0
1-2
1-2
3 = Severe adverse
Changed
Water
Cours es
1-3
0-1
2-3
2-3
0-2
0-1
0-1
0
0
0
Air
Pollution
(Dust)
2-3
1
2-3
2-3
1-2
1-2
0-1
1
0-1
0-1
impact; 0 -
Land Use
(Adjacent
Land
Impact a,:d
Precluded
Land Use)
2-3
0
3
2-3
1-2
0-1
1-2
0
0-1
0
Negligible adverse impact)
Health and
Safety
(Landslides
and
Flooding)
0
0
3
1-3
1-2
0-1
0-1
0
0
0
Wildlife
Habitat and
Disruption
1-2
0
1-3
1-2
1-2
1
0-1
0-1
0
0
Aesthetics
(Htghwall
and
Vegetation)
2-3
0
3
2-3
0-1
1
1
0-1
0
0
Total-'
9-16
1-4
17-22 ?
11-20 -^
4-13
3-8
3-12
2-4
1-5
1-4
a./ Indicators are for both temporary and pervasive impacts.
b/ Head of hollow fill technique is not rated here because its environmental effects also depcrd on the technique(s> for which it
serves as a supplemental method for spoil disposal.
c/ Aggregating environmental parameters into a single index Ls difficult and often involves value judgments with respect to
relative importance of the factors involved. These totals assume equal weighting of environmental impacts. Use of other
weights could alter the ranking of the techniques.
d/ This ranking is for area mining in the eastern and central coal regions with adequate rainfall for vegetation. Area
mining in the far west may well be unacceptable unless vegetation can he reestablished.
-------
TABLE B-3
RATING OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF DISCRETE COAL SURFACE MINING
Surface Mining Operation
1. Access road cut and use
2. Drilling and blasting
3. Scalping
4. Overburden removal and placement
5. Coa1 remova1
Net Environmental Effect of Surface
Mining Operation
Reclamation Operation
6. Spoil rehandling and grading
7. Revegetatlon
8. Drainage controls
9. Sediment basin
Net Environmental Effect of
Reclamation Operation
Net Environmental Effect of
Surface Mining And Reclamation Operation
AND RECLAMATION
OPERATIONS
Environmental Component
Physical-Chemical
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-------
B-6
example illustrates one approach which may be useful in identifying those
areas where? preventive measures or control practices need to be applied.
Mine-relater] operations and actions, especially those involving
rapid changes and developments, should be viewed in relation to the
temporal variation of climatic: events and the condition of receiving waters
(including aquatic life sensitivity), l-'igure H-l is a hypothetical illustration
of the relationships in timing among amount of rainfall, quanity of stream-
flow, rainfall energy-intensity (erosive force), and a typical sequence
of activities during a one year period of a surface mining operation.
Although the situation described is hypothetical, it may correspond to
conditions found in the Southern Appalachian Region.
Periods of highest stream flow may not necessarily coincide with
periods of highest rainfall because of the effect of temperature and
ovapotranspiration, as well as the.- influence of the condition of vegetation
on infiltration/runoff relationships.
Periods of highest rainfall energy/intensity may not coincide with
periods of highest rainfall quantity. Severe thunder storms may occur
during periods of moderate rainfall. Slower more gentle rains occurring
at other times of the year may produce larger total quantities of precipitation.
The? timing of mine-related activities can sometimes bo adjusted to
avoid creation of potentially severe pollution sources. Regulation of the
intensity as well as the timing of certain activities during critical periods
may help to better control or prevent adverse water quality impacts;
for example, unpaved and unsurfaeed mine haul road use may be reduced
during bad weather to prevent deep rutting and resultant increased erosion
as an alternative to construction of an all weather road surface. Even
under circumstances when adjustment of activity schedules may not be
-------
FJGUPE B-1 - TYPICAL SEQUENCE OF ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CONDUCT OF A SURFACE MINING OPERATION SHOWN IN RELATION
TO LOCAL TEMPERATURE, LOCAL STREAMFLQW, LOCAL RAINFALL QUANTITY AND LOCAL RAINFALL ENERGY-INTENSITY
(Erosive Force)
MONTH
TEMPERATURE
STflEAMFLOW
ENERGY-INTENSITY
OF RAINFALL
SEQUENCE OF SURFACE
MINING ACTIVITIES
WATER QUALITY
CONTROL AND
RECLAMATION
ACTIVITIES ARE
DEC JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL AUG. SEP. OCT.
MODERATE | COLD j MODERATE j WARM
HIGH FLOW
* *" MODERATE FLOW
HIGH QUANTITY
^ ^ MODERATE QUANTITY
MODERATE ENERGY
OMINE ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION
QUOAD DRAINAGE CONTROL AMD srABirzATiOH
O EXPLORATORY DRILLING
Q INSTALLATION Of SEDIMENT BASINS
O CONSTRUCTION OF DIVERSION OITCHE
O TIMBER STAND LIQUIDATION
O CLEARING AND GRUBBING
QTQPSOIL SEGREGATION
HOT | WARM |
i
LOW FLOW 1 ""
~~ HIGH QUANTITY
-^ 1 — *^
HIGHEST EKERGYJ
* 1 MODERATE
| INTENSITY
1 ^
J
1
'SCALPING!
NOV. DEC.
MODERATE
* HIGH FLOW*
MODERATE FLOW
^_ ^ HIGHEST QUANTITY
- MO DERATE QUANTITY
LOW ENERGY
~~^^
UNDERLINED)
Q TOPSOIL STOCKPILE STABILIZATION •
OOVERBURDEN REMOVAL AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT
OaVERBURDEN ORAIIHACECOMTROL IHSTALLflTION
^MINEflAt EXTRAaiOH
O MINERAL HAULING i/
OMINE ACCES| ROAD MAINTENANCE AND WATERING FOR DUST CONTROL
O SEDIMENT BASIN CLEAN OUT AHD SEDIMENT DISPOSAL
QSELECTIVE OVERBURDEN PLACEMENT AND BACKFILLING
IQTERRACIHG AND GHAOINQ
I QCHA3ED SPOILS DRAIN ACE CONTROL INSTALLATIOB
OTQPSOILINC
QAPPLICAT10N OF SOIL AMENDMENTS
O VEGETATION SEEPING
Q MULCHING
QSEDIMENT BASIN REMOVAL
i
I
QMtNE ACCESS ROAD CLOSURE
INTERVAL
I/
ROAD MAINTENANCE MAY BE CONSIDERED TO BE BOTH A PRODUCTION AND A WATER QUALITY CONTROL FUNCTION.
-------
B-8
practicable, knowledge of the timing of critical climatic and stream
conditions will aid in planning and design of adequate mitigating control
measures. The area exposed to erosive forces at any given time in
surface mining operations should be minimized, and the duration of
exposure should also be limited to the extent feasible.
The time variation of the sensitivity and suseeptability of aquatic
life and other beneficial water uses to impacts from mine-related pollu-
tants is also an important consideration.
In some areas of the country, wind erosion resulting in fugitive
dust ('missions may contribute to water pollution. Pollutant impacts are
likely to be of greatest significance where toxic or radioactive contaminants
are involved (as may be the case with fugitive dust from tailings or other
mineral waste disposal areas). Partieulate matter can be carried by
winds directly to receiving waters; dust may also be carried to land
areas adjacent to mine-related operations and later transported in runoff
to receiving waters. Accumulations of dust on winter snow cover adjacent
to mine-related industrial sites can contribute to water pollution during
the. spring thaw.
-------
SELECTED REFERENCES
1. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "Environmental Protection in Surface Mining of Coal. "
EPA 670/2-74-093. October 1974.
2. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Guidelines for State and Areawlde Water Quality Management
Program Development." November 1976.
3. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Technology Transfer.
"Erosion and Sediment Control, Surface Mining in the Eastern U. S. "
Two Volumes. October 1976.
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory. "Monitoring Groundwater Quality: Monitoring
Methodology." EPA 600/4-76-026. June 1976.
5. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Environmental
Research Center. "Rationale and Methodology for Monitoring Ground
Water Polluted by Mining Activities. ' EPA 680/4-74-003. July 1974.
6. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program
Operations. "Processes, Procedures, and Methods to Control Pollution
from Mining Activities. " EPA-430/9-73-011. October 1973.
7. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Effects of Surface
Configuration on Water Pollution Control on Semiarid Mine Lands. "
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Interim U. S. EPA Project
Report. February 1976.
-------
R-2
8. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Polluted Ground Water -
Some Causes, Effects, Controls, and Monitoring. " EPA 600/4-73-
OOlb. July 1973.
9. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Guidelines for Erosion
and Sediment Control Planning and Implementation." EPA-R2-72-015.
1972.
10. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Underground Coal Mining
Methods to Abate Water Pollution. " EPA-14010 1/KK. December 1970.
11. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &
Standards. "Criteria for Developing Pollution Abatement Programs for
Inactive and Abandoned Mine Sites. " EPA 440/9-75-008. August 1975.
12. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program
Operations. "Methods for Identifying and Evaluating the Nature and
Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants. " EPA 430/9-73-014.
October 1973.
13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of vVater Planning &
Standards. "Inactive and Abandoned Underground Mines - Water
Pollution Prevention and Control. " EPA 440/9-75-007. June 1975.
14. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &
Standards. "Development Document for Interim l<'inal Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Coal Mining
Point Source Category. " EPA 440/l-76-057a. May 1976.
-------
R-3
15. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &
Standards. "Development Document fdr Interim Final and Proposed
Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards
for the Ore Mining and Dressing Industry Point Source Category. "
Two Volumes. EPA 440/1-75-061, Group II. October 1975.
16. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Water Quality Control in Mine
Spoils - Upper Colorado River Basin." EPA 670/2-75-048. June 1975.
17. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &.
Standards. "Quality Criteria for Water. " EPA-440/9-76-023. July 1976.
18. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV Surveillance and
Analysis Division. Howard A. True. "Nonpoint Assessment Processes:
Planning Models for Nonpoint Runoff Assessment. " 33p. April 1976.
19. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Supply and
Office of Solid Waste Management Programs. "Report to Congress:
Waste Disposal Practices and Their Effects on Groundwater.' April 1976.
20. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "Water Pollution Caused by Inactive Ore and Mineral Mines
-A National Assessment. " EPA-600/2-76-298. December 1976.
21. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "User's Handoook for
Assessment of Water Pollution from Xonpoint Sources. " December 1974,
and August 1975.
22. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Loading Functions for
Assessment of Water Pollution from Xonpoint Sources. " EPA-603/2-76-151
May 1976.
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R-4
23. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "National Assessment of Water Pollution from Nonpoint
Sources. " Draft Report, Contract No. 68-01-2293. October 1975.
24. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development. "An Evaluation of Tailings Ponds Sealants.." EPA-
660/2-74-065. June 1974.
25. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "Mine Spoil Potentials for Soil and Water Quality. "
EPA-670/2-74-070. October 1974.
26. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "State-of-the-Art: Sand and Gravel Industry, " EPA-
660/2-74-066. June 1974.
27. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research &
Development. "Assessment of Environmental Aspects of Uranium Mining
and Milling. " EPA-600/7-76-036. December 1976.
28. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Production and Processing of
U. S. Tar Sands: An Environmental Assessment. " EPA-600/7-76-035.
December 1976.
29. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region X, Seattle, Washington.
"Water Quality Considerations for the Metal Mining Industry in the Pacific
Northwest." Report No. Region X-3. 1973.
30. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
"Evaluation of Fugitive Dust Emissions from Mining. " Preliminary Draft
Report, Contract No. 68-02-1321. April 1976.
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31. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
D9velopment. "Areawide Assessment Procedures Manual. " EPA-600/9
76-014. October 1976.
32. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Demonstration of Coal Mine
Haul Road Sediment Control Techniques." EPA-600/2-76-196. August
1976.
33. u. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"ix-'gal and Institutional Approaches to Water Quality Management
Planning and Implementation." March 1977.
34. u S. Environmental Protection Agency. Water Planning Division.
"Environmental Assessment of Water Quality Management Plans. "
October 1 976.
35. U. S Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and
Development. "Resources Allocation to Optimize Mining Pollution
Control." EPA-600/2-76-112. November 1976.
36. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development. "Ground Water Contamination in the Northeast States. "
EPA-660/2-74-056. 1974.
37. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Ground vVater Pollution in the
South Central States. " EPA-R2-73-268. 1973.
38. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Ground Water Pollution in
Arizona, California. Nevada and Utah. " EPA-16060ERU12/71. 1971.
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39. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Ground Water Pollution
Problems in the Northwestern United States. " EPA-660/3-75-018. 1975.
40. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development. "Feasibility Study of a New Surface Mining Method:
Longwall Stripping. " EPA-670/2-74-002. February 1974.
41. Li. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Vegetative Stabilization of
Mineral Waste Heaps. " EPA-600/2-76 -087. April 1976.
42. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, "impact of Hydrologic
Modifications on Water Quality." EPA-600/2-75-007. April 1975.
43. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Pollution Problems and
Research Needs for an Oil Shale Industry. " EPA-660/2-74-067.
June 1H74.
41. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Brine Disposal Treatment
Practices Relating to the Oil Production Industry. " EPA-660/2-74-037.
May 1074.
45. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Prediction of Subsoil
Erodibility Using Chemical, Mineralogical and Physical Parameters. "
EPA-600/2-76-043. June 1974.
46. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development. "Control of Mine Drainage from Coal Mine Mineral
vVastes - Phase I - Hydrology and Related Experiments. "
EPA 14010DII08/71.' 1971.
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R-7
47. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Control of Mine Drainage
from Coal Mine Mineral Wastes Phase II, Pollution Abatement and
Monitoring. " EPA-R2-73-230. 1973.
48. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water and Hazardous
Materials. "Draft Development Document for Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Gas
Extraction Point Source Category. " October 1974.
49. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Planning and
Evaluation. "Economic Analysis of Interim Final and Proposed Eftluent
Guidelines Mineral Mining and Processing Industry (Sand and Gravel,
Crushed Stone, Industrial Sand and Phosphate Rock). " EPA-230/1 -74-059a.
July 1976.
50. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Handbook for Coordination of State and Designated Areawide Water
Quality Management Agencies. " WPD7-76-02. July 1976.
51. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Cost Analysis Handbook for Section 208 Areawide Waste Treatment
Management Planning Federal Assistance Applications. " May 1975.
52. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"State Continuing Planning Process Handbook. " December 1975.
53. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Public Participation Handbook for Water Quality Management. "
WPD 6-76-02. June 1976.
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R-8
54. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Interim Output Evaluation Handbook for Section 208 Areawide Waste
Treatment Management Planning." June 1975.
55. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Financial Arrangements for Water Quality Management Planning. "
October 1076.
56. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Iund Use - Water Quality Relationship." WPD :*-76-02. March 1976.
57. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development. "Estimating Environmental Damages from the
Surface Mining of Coal in Appalachia: A Case Study. " Draft Report,
Contract No. 68-01-.'i586. February 1977.
58. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Land Utilization and
Reclamation in the Mining Industry, 1930-71." Information Circular
8642. 1974.
59. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Strip Mining Techniques
to Minimize Environmental Damage in the Upper Missouri River Basin
States. " Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8685. 1975.
60. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Economic Engineering
Analysis of U. S. Surface Coal Mines and Effective Land Reclamation."
Contract #31241049. February 1975.
61. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. Minerals Yearbook,
Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic. 1972.
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R-9
62. U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. "Effects
of Surface Mining on the Fish and Wildlife Resources of the United
States." BSFW Publication No. 68. 1968.
63. U.S. Department of Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration. "Water Pollution from Mining Activities Ln th?
United States. " June 1970.
64, U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Seepage -
Environmental Analysis of the Slime Zone of a Tailings Pond. "
IC-8668. 1975.
65. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Min23. ''The Florida
Phosphate Slimes Problem. " IC-8668. 1975.
66. U. S. Department of Interior. "Environmental Statement for the
Proposed Prototype Oil Shale Leasing Program." 1972.
67. U. S. Department of Interior. "Environmental Impact Statement for tho
Proposed Federal Coal Leasing Program. " 1974.
68. U. S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey. "An Environmental
Assessment of Impacts of Coal Development on the Water Resources of
the Yampa River Basin, Colorado and Wyoming. " 1976.
69. U. S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey and U. S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service. "Environmental Impact'Statement for the
Development of Phosphate Resources in Southeastern Idaho. " 1976.
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70. U. S. D. A., Soil Conservation Service. "Procedure for Computing
Sheet and Rill Erosion on Project Areas. " Technical Release No. 51.
September 1972.
71. U. S. D. A., Agricultural Research Service. Predicting Rainfall-
Erosion Losses from Cropland East of the Rocky Mountains. "
Agriculture Handbook No. 282. May 1965.
72. U. S. Department of Commerce. "Climates of the United States. "
by John L. Baldwin. December 1974.
*
73. U. S. Geological Survey. "A Guide to State Programs for the
Reclamation of Surface Mined Areas. " Circular 731. 1976.
74. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. "Modeling of Acid
Mine Drainage and Other Pollutants in the Monongahela River Basin
Under Low Flow Conditions. " 159 pp. June 1976.
75. Appalachian Regional Commission. "Acid Mine Drainage in Appalachia:
Summary." 1969.
76. Council on Environmental Quality. "Coal Surface Mining and Reclamation:
An Environmental and Economic Assessment of Alternatives. " A National
Fuels and Energy Policy Study, Serial No. 93-8 (92-43). March 1973.
77. Council on Environmental Quality and U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency. "Energy and Economic Impacts of H. R. 13950 (Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1976, 94th Congress). " Draft Report,
Contract No. EQ 6AC016. February 1977.
78. Mathematica Inc. and Ford, Bacon & Davis, Inc. "Design of Surface
Mining Systems in Eastern Kentucky." ARC-71-66-T1. January 1974.
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R-ll
79. Center for Science in the Public Interest. "Enforcement of Strip Mining
Laws. " CSPI Energy Series VII. 1975 (January 1976).
80. Stanford Research Institute. "A Study of Surface Coal Mining in
West Virginia. " February 1972.
81. L. Robert Kimball Consulting Engineers. "Surface Mine Water Quality
Control in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields. " ARC-71-66-T5.
82. Mohan K. Waif (Editor) - "Practices and Problems of Land Reclamation
in Western North America. " University of North Dakota Press, Grand
Forks. 1975.
83. National Academy of Sciences. "Rehabilitation Potential of Western
Coal Lands." 1974.
84. Robert B. Scott. "Sealing of Coal Refuse Piles" EPA Crown,
West Virginia. " July 1973.
85. Council of State Governments. "Diffuse Source Pollution: Policy
Considerations for the States. " RM-606. March 1977.
86. Roffman, Haia and Roffman, Amiram. "Coal Mining Methods and
Related Environmental Effects on Land, Air and Water. " Institute of
Environmental Sciences, Proceedings of 21st Annual Technical Meeting.
Anaheim, California. April 14-16. 1975.
87. Metry, Amir A. and Weston, Roy F. "impact of Coal Handling on Water
Quality. " Institute of Environmental Sciences, Proceedings of 21st Annual
Technical Meeting. Anaheim, California. April 14 - 16, 1975.
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88. U. S. Water Resources Council. "Essentials of Ground-water
Hydrology Pertinent to Water Resources Planning. " Bulletin No. 16.
August 1973.
89. Wixson, Bobby G., Jennet, Charles J., et. al. "An Interdisciplinary
Investigation of Environmental Pollution by Lead and Other Heavy Metals
from Industrial Development in the New Lead Belt of Southeastern
Missouri. " University of Missouri. June 1974.
90. Branson, BranleyA. and Batch, Donald L. "Effects of Strip Mining
on Small-steam Fishes of East-Central Kentucky. " Proceedings of the
Biological Society of Washington, Volume 84, No. 59, pp. 507-518.
February 1972.
91. Branson, BranleyA. and Batch, Donald L. "Additional Observations
on the Effects of Strip Mining on Small-steam Fishes of East-Central
Kentucky. " Kentucky Academy of Science Transactions, Volume 35,
Nos. 3-4, pp. 81-83. December 1974.
92. Goldburg, Everett F., Power, Garret. "Legal Problems of Coal Mine
Reclamation: A Study of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. "
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. March 1972.
93. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Public Affairs. "Working
Effectively with Advisory Committees in Water Quality Planning. " May 1977.
94. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
"Biological Field and Laboratory Methods for Measuring the Quality of
Surface Waters and Effluents. " EPA-670/4-73-001. July 1973.
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
REPORT NO.
EPA440/3-77-027
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Water Quality Management Guidance for Mine-related
Pollution Sources (New, Current and Abandoned)"
5, REPORT DATE
_December_l°J7
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
. AUTHOR(S)
Dan Deely, Nonpoint Sources Branch
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
NA
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Planning Division WH-554 '
Office of Water Planning and Standards
401 M. Street, S.W.
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
NA
12.
ADDRESS
Same as Performing Organization in
Block 9 above.
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA-700-01
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
Guidance information and direction is offered to State and local water quality
management (WQM) agencies dealing with prevention and control of water pollution
from new, current and/or abandoned mine-related pollution sources under the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 208 Program. Aspects of mine-related water
Quality Management Plan development which are separately explained and discussed
include water pollution source identification and assessment, current source control,
identification and use of "Best Management Practices", abandoned source abatement,
new source planning, and continuing water quality planning and management.
Information presented includes mining regulatory control system features needed
for effective water pollution prevention and control, basic mining water pollution
control principles, and distinctions between point sources and nonpoint sources.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
ftriH MinP Plra i ngjj&
Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Admendments of 1972 Mineral Wastes
Mining Erosion Control
Nonpoint Sources Hydrologic System
Water Quality Management Tailings
Water Pollution Control Reclamation
Regional Planning Surface Water Runoff
^Minpral UastPS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDEDTERMS
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Abandoned Mine Pollution
Abatement
Best Management Practices
Regulatory Control System;
208 Program Guidance
Mining Pollution Control
Principles
COSATl Held/Group
13B
•ff. SECURITY CLASS (This Report/
Release Unlimited
21. NO. OF PAGES
em*—
22
£PA Form 2220-1 (R»v. 4-77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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