DRAFT
AN APPROACH TO
STATE AND AREA WIDE 208 PLANNING
FOR CONTROL OF CURRENT AND ABANDONED
MINING CATEGORY
NONPOINT SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFRCE OF WATER PLANNING AND STANDARDS
WATER PLANNING DIVISION
WASHINGTON, aC. 20460
OCTOBER 1976
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PREFACE
This guidance is intended for use by those involved in State and
area wide ' 208" planning for control of surface water and ground water
pollution from nonpoint sources in the mining category. It has been
designed to orient and familiarize the "208" planner with elements and
alternatives of the mining planning process.
The information presented here will help 208 Agencies to better
understand and to carry out their planning responsibilities specifically
related to mining nonpoint sources under Public Law 92-500.
The mining planning approaches presented here are not to be taken
as formal requirements; this information is furnished to assist State
and areawide agencies in development of mining nonpoint source control
programs that will be responsive to the needs and conditions within
each of their respective areas.
A series of four guidance Chapters is currently under development]
formal publication of these Chapters in the form of a Mining Planning
Guidance Handbook is contemplated at a later date. The specific titles
of the four Chapters presently scheduled for preparation are given below.
Draft versions of Chapters 1 and 2 are included in this preliminary document.
Chapters 3 and 4 are still in initial stages of preparation.
Chapter 1: GUIDANCE TO ASSIST 208 PLANNING AGENCIES
IN DIRECTION OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY AND
ASSESS MINING NONPOINT POLLUTION SOURCES.
Chapter 2; GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMMENTATION
OF CONTROLS FOR CURRENT AND ABANDONED
MINING NONPOINT POLLUTION SOURCES
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Chapter 3 - SELECTED PRACTICES FOR USE IN CONTROLLING
CURRENT MINING NONPOINT POLLUTION SOURCES
Chapter* 4 - GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING OF CONTROLS FOR NEW
MINING NONPOINT POLLUTION SOURCES
The purpose of the information presented in this series of guidance
chapters is to suggest approaches to the major mining planning tasks which
are thought likely to yield reasonable near-term results. Use of less
expensive and less data intensive approaches is suggested in those instances
where more exhaustive study efforts may not be required or may not yield
practical results.
208 Planning Agencies are encouraged to arrange for early direct involve-
ment of existing abandoned mining program and current mining water quality
regulatory control agencies in concurrent implementation planning efforts.
Identification and assessment of nonpoint source problems should make
maximum use of existing water quality data and aquatic biological surveys
and observations. Data aquisition should be no more exhaustive than is
necessary to support a reasonable judgement among water quality management
professionals (with proper consideration for the views of industry and the
public) within each planning jurisidiction, that a given class of mineral
industry operations interferes with achievement of national goal water
use standards.
The central issues in abandoned mining pollution control programs and
options for abatement action are funding and resolution of legal problems.
The central issue in assessment and planning for control of current
mining nonpoint source pollution is the actual on-the-ground effectiveness
of any existing or proposed regulatory control system for preventing,
reducing or eliminating adverse water quality impacts.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE. i
CHAPTER 1
GUIDANCE TO ASSIST 208 PLANNING AGENCIES IN DIRECTION OF EFPORTS
TO I DENT IKY AND ASSESS MINING NON POINT POLLUTION SOURCES
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1
2.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1-2
3.0 INITIAL IDENTIFICATION; ASSESSMENT NEEDS/STRATEGY DEFINITION. .1-3
3.1 TiJK PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT. 1-3
3.2 PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY CONTRIBUTING
SOURCES 1-5
3. 3 INITIAL. DEFINITION OF MINING PLANNING REQUIREMENTS 1-9
3.3.1 CURRENT AND NEW MINING OPERATIONS SITES. . 1-9
3. 3. 2 ABANDONED MINING OPERATIONS SITES 1-12
3.4 ASSESSMENT STRATEGY SELECTION. 1-13
4.0 IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT TASKS 1-17
4.1 SUBCATEGORIZATION OF MINING SOURCES 1-18
4.2 SPECIFICATION OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS 1-21
4.3 SEGMENT IDENTIFICATION. 1-23
4.4 IDENTIFICATION OF MINING SOURCES THROUGH LOCATION
AND DESCRIPTION. 1-24
4. 4.1 IDENTIFICATION METHODOLOGY 1-24
1.4.2 UTILIZATION OF REMOTE SENSOR DATA 1-27
4. 5 EXISTING CURRENT AND ABANDONED MINING LOAD DESCRIPTION. 1-31
1.8.1 CATEGORIZATION vs CHARACTERIZATION 1-31
4.5.2 RELATIVE POLLUTION HAZARD CATEGORIZATION 1-31
4. 5. 3 QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF POLLUTION LOADS. 1-36
APPENDIX 1-42
SELECTED REFERENCES
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
CHAPTER 2
GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROLS FOR
CURRENT AND ABANDONED MINING N ON POT NT POLLUTION SOURCES
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION. . . TTPI
2. 0 ABANDONED MINE POLLUTION ABATEMENT II-2
2.1 ABANDONED MINE POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROGRAM TASKS. II-5
2.2 ABATEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 11-22
3. 0 CURRENT M INING NONPOINT POLLUTION CONTROL 11-24
3.1 THE NATURE OF THE CURRENT MINING NONPOINT SOURCE
POLLUTION PROBLEM 11-25
3. 1.1 TYPES OF MINING SOURCES 11-25
3. 1. 2 CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MINERALS H-26
3. 1. 3 GENERAL TYPES OF MINING CAUSED NONPOINT
SOURCE POLLUTION 11-28
3.2 ANALYSIS OF MINE SITE HYDROLOGY II-2P
- WATER INPUTS TO THE MINE SITE
- WATER STORAGE ON THE MINE SITE
-- CURRENT MINING POINT SOURCE DISCHARGES
- CURRENT MINING NONPOINT SOURCES
3, 3 KAY ELEMENTS OF A 208 MINING CONTROL PLANNING/
IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT 11-37
3. 4 INTERACTIVE SITE CHARACTERISTICS 11-39
3. 5 MINING INDUSTRY ACTIONS AT THE MINE OPERATIONS SITE. 11-41
3.6 MINING REGULATORY CONTROL SYSTEMS 11-48
3. 7 CURRENT MINING NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROL PROGRAM
TASKS 11-53
3. 8 IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROLS AND A CONTINUING WASTE
TREATMENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS 11-60
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GUIDANCE TO ASSIST 208 PLANNING AGENCIES
IN DIRECTION OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY AND
ASSESS MINING NON POINT POLLUTION SOURCES
CHAPTER 1
1. 0 INTRODUCTION
This guidance material is intended to help State and areawide 208 Planning
Agencies to carry out their nonpoint source identification and assessment
responsibilities in the mining category under Public Law 92-500 (the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972).
A procedural framework is developed to help "208" planners to appreciate
what is involved in mining planning. A very general preliminary assessment
of mining problems and of the associated requirements for control and
abatement planning must be among the first tasks accomplished. The procedure
suggested for such a preliminary assessment is a straight forward one, which
can be carried out rapidly with only a modest expenditure of effort and
resources. This procedure is advocated as a minimum mining planning effort
for 208 Agencies to perform during the first planning cycle. This superficial
effort would then have to be followed later by a more thorough planning program
as a part of the continuing waste treatment management planning process.
A conceptual basis for selection of the most appropriate analysis approach
is presented which relies upon the characteristics of the planning area's mining
industry. Alternative approaches vary significantly in level of analysis
detail and data requirements.
A sequence of problem identification and assessment tasks which might be
involved in a full scale planning effort is presented. The major components of
such an effort and some of the interrelationships among its various elements
are outlined.
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The information presented in this first Chapter should help the "208"
planner to understand what is involved in:
1. An initial judgement of whether a potential mining n on point
source pollution problem exists within his planning jurisdiction.
2. A determination of the type(s) of mining planning required.
3. The selection of an appropriate problem assessment strategy
(level of detail).
4. Some major work program tasks and alternatives for assessment
of both current and abandoned mining problems.
The 208 Agency should make its own initial judgement of the magnitude
of the potential mining nonpoint source problem (Step 1) and broadly define
the planning requirements (Step 2). Existing management agencies with
specific knowledge of mining might then participate with the 208 Agency
in selection of an assessment strategy (Step 3) and laying out of a logical
identification and assessment work program (Step 4). Actual accomplish-
ment of work program tasks would then be handled by some appropriate com-
bination of 208 Agency, other water quality management agency, existing
mining control or mineral industry-related agency and consultant efforts.
2. 3 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Point. Source — A mining category point source is defined as ' 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 regulated mining area under the effluent guidelines and other appli-
cable provisions of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit. Federal point source effluent limitations presently apply
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to surface mines only until return to final grade, at which time nonpoint
source controls are solely applicable.
Nonpoint Source -- A mining category nonpoint source is a land area
whose subsurface hydrology and/or surface hydrologic characteristics
have at some time been directly altered by mineral extraction or influenced
by activities directly supporting or relating to mineral extraction, storage
or processing in such a way as to cause surface water and/or ground
water pollution beyond those point source pollutant discharges from current
mining areas designated by permit under the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES). Mining nonpoint sources include all pollutant
contributionjfrom mine sites, mine spoils, mine haul roads, mineral
transport systems, mineral processing, storage and waste areas, whether
currently active, inactive or abandoned, which are not regulated under
Federal NPDES permit.
Identification--Means recognition of specific current or abandoned mine
sites or mine site subcategories as potentially significant contributing
sources of nonpoint water pollution.
Assessment of identified mining nonpoint sources then involves making
a determination of the effects and importance of pollutants from each
contributing mine site or mine site subcategory in relation to achievement
of national goal water uses and water use standards. Determination of the
actual rates or amounts of specific pollutants contributed by mine sources
should be done only to the extent operationally feasible and judged essential
to reasonable definition of impacts on the national water quality goal.
A mine site subcategory may be taken as any group or class of current
or abandoned mineral industrial operations sites which exhibits a similar
potential for contribution of nonpoint source pollution and for interference
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with achievement of national goal water uses and water use standards.
The national water quality goal is defined in Section 101 of P. L. 92-500
as "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. . .
3.° PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION; ASSESSMENT
NEEDS /STRATEGY DEFINITION
3. 1 THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT
Section 2 08 (b)(2)(G) of Public Law 92-500 states that ' Any [208] plan
prepared under fa continuing State or a re a wide waste treatment management
planning process] shall include, but not be limited to, a process to identify,
if appropriate, mine-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".
The specific approach taken to carrying out this legally required
mining-related pollution identification responsibility will depend upon
circumstances in each 208 planning jurisdiction.
An initial identification and assessment of nonpoint mining sources
may be made for any one or more of the following reasons;
(1) Justification for nonpoint source controls over the mining
category or over specific mining source subcategories.
(2) Definition of the nature and extent of the specific nonpoint
pollution problems associated with given mining category
sources and activities.
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(3) To support load allocation efforts, as might be carried out
within the overall "208" planning context, with mining n on point
source information.
(4) Preliminary analysis and problem investigation in direct preparation
for selection of appropriate abatement measures and control
practices.
Acquisition of detailed mining-related pollution and pollution source
data in the assessment stage should be directed primarily toward gaining
a sufficient understanding of how mining interferes with national goal
water uses to permit selection and implementation of effective abatement
and control. In cases where the potential pollution hazard from the mining
category is already widely and well recognized, collection of descriptive
data for "justification" of the need for control may be unwarranted.
3. 2 PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY CONTRIBUTING
SOURCES
A simplified approach to initial identification of mining nonpoint
source problems is presented. The suggested methodology may be carried
out rapidly by planning personnel at a broad level of generalization
through reference to a very limited number of readily available technical
publications and other sources of information.
The methodology is directed toward helping 208 Agencies to understand
and appreciate the interrelationships among the three basic factors involved
in generation of nonpoint source pollution. The constituents of the basic
nonpoint source equation are:
(1) Characteristics of Potential Mining Pollution SOURCES.
(2) Descriptions of Surface and Ground RECEIVING WATERS.
(3) Operative Climatic and Hydrologic Pollution DELIVERY MECHANISMS.
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Contamination of surface and ground waters may also be induced by mine
caused hydrologic balance disruptions; the hydrologic and lithologic
characteristics of subsurface formations are important to understanding
of such hydrologic impacts as salt water intrusion.
Figure 1 diagrams the information components of the initial nonpoint
mining problem identification process. The diversity, extent and distribution
of mine sites and mineral extraction operations within the planning area
are viewed in relation to the characteristics of receiving waters and
the operative climatic regime. Climate largely controls pollutant delivery
mechanisms.
Technical information that is useful for a general assessment of mining
pollution potential is available from the following specific publications:
1. (a) MINERALS YEARBOOK
Published annually by U. S. Bureau of Mines, Department
of Interior.
(b) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES LIMITATIONS AND NEW SOURCE
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Published by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in
Development Document format and in the Federal Register
as Rules and Regulations.
2. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR WATER (in press)
Published by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1976).
3. CLIMATES OF THE UNITED STATES
Published by the Environmental Data Service, U.S. Department
of Commerce.
The MINERALS YEARBOOK identifies and quantifies the principal mineral
commodities mined and processed within each county of all the fifty states.
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FIGURE 3.1
INITIAL MINING PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION THROUGH A DEFINITION OF MINING POLLUTION
IMPACT POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL
MINING POLLUTION
SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS
POTENTIAL
SOURCES
DIVERSITY OF COMMERCIAL MINERAL
DEPOSITS AND MINING METHODS
EXTENT OF MINING ACTIVITY
(NUMBER AND SIZE OF OPERATIONS)
DISTRIBUTION of mining source
LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING
AREA
INTERACTIONS
DEFINING
POLLUTION
IMPACT POTENTIAL
RECEIVING
WATERS
. RAINFALL
• RUNOFF
• INFILTRATION
• SUBSURFACE SEEPAGE
• RECHARGE DISCHARGE
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EPA's EFFLUENT GUIDELINES publication series identifies the specific
pollutants which are known to be associated with discharges from each
mineral and mineral processing category.
EPA's QUALITY CRITERIA FOR WATER indicates the decree of
sensitivity of aquatic life and recreational uses in receiving waters to
various concentrations of identified potential mining pollutants. More
detailed hydro logic and water quality data available from the larger "208'
planning data base provide an indication of the prevalence of specific
mining pollutants as problem contaminants in planning area surface water
and ground waters.
General climatic data from CLIMATES OF THE UNITED STATES
offer some indication of the likelihood of, and the mechanisms for, delivery
of mining pollutants to receiving waters through runoff, infiltration and
other transfer processes.
The nature and characteristics of mining and supporting mineral industry
operations are such that potential opportunities for surface water and
ground water pollution (principally in the forms of sedimentation and
mineralization) should normally be expected. The potential for mining
pollution problems exists in all States; an absence of any potential mining
pollution problems at the areawide planning level is possible, but would
have to be considered somewhat exceptional.
All individual mineral industry operations do not necessarily generate
nonpoint source pollution sufficient to cause violation of national goal
water use standards (fishable/swimmable waters); but the vast majority
of mineral industry operations do offer a serious potential for creating
such problems.
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Climatic data from the larger "208" planning data base obtained
through the U.S. Weather Bureau provide more specific information
related to variations in meteorological conditions across a planning area.
Additional climatic information may be obtained from the "Climatic Atlas
of the United States" published by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Much useful information related to the potential magnitude of mining
nonpoint problems can be obtained from the U. S. Department of Interior,
Bureau of Mines publication "Land Utilization and Reclamation in the
Mining Industry, 1930-1971". Mining and minerals information is available
in greater depth and detail from:
o State Geologic Survey organizations.
o State Divisions of Mines, Mine Regulation, Reclamation or its
equivalent.
o U.S. Bureau of Mines, State Liaison Offices.
o County and other local records.
3. 3 INITIAL DEFINITION OF MINING PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
Following a judgement that potentially significant mining pollution
problems do now or will exist, mining planning requirements must be
defined. Planning requirements are dependent primarily upon:
1. The characteristics and levels of activity of the mining and
minerals extraction industries in the past, the present and in
the future throughout the planning area;
2. The existing and planned technical control measures, and the
legal and institutional arrangements for pollution abatement
and control systems.
Figure 2 illustrates the alternative judgements and decision points
involved in the definition of mining planning requirements. A preliminary
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H6UAE 3 2
MMWS CATEGORY PLANNING
NEEDS OERMHON
t
O
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examination of existing technical and institutional information relating
to both current and abandoned mining is required. The principal steps
of the process are:
(1) Judgement as to whether a significant new mining problem,
current mining problem, abandoned mining problem, or all
three problems exist.
3. 3.1 CURRENT AND NEW MINING OPERATIONS SITES
(2) Evaluation of current and new mining problems and existing
regulatory systems to permit judgements of the adequacy of
existing control systems and needs for current and new mining
controls.
Current ''208" mine planning would normally apply to all
those mines for which pollution control responsibility exists or
can be instituted, prior to implementation of "Best Management
Practices1' controls. New "208" mine planning would normally
apply to all those new mine sources opened following implementation
of "Best Management Practices" controls.
(3) If a significant current mining planning requirement exists, an
appropriate assessment strategy should then be developed. If
a significant new mining planning requirement is identified, the
planning GUIDANCE CHAPTER entitled "Guidance for Planning
of Controls for New Mining Nonpoint Pollution Sources' should
be consulted. Distinctions are made between new mining
plannning approaches in cases where no current problem exists
versus those cases where a significant similar mining problem
currently exists.
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(4) LI', following a preliminary evaluation, the existing mining
regulatory system is judged to be fully adequuate and effective
for achievement of required control levels for current and new
mining, immediate implementation action should be taken.
Serious consideration should be given to designating the existing
regulatory system as the operational implementation mechanism
for mining nonpoint source pollution control through application
of "Best Management Practices1'. Direct regulatory agency im-
plementation/planning concurrent with control application should
follow. Appropriate coordination and interfaces with continuing
water quality management planning should be established.
(5) If the existing mining regulatory system is judged to be sound,
but is thought to require re-examination and modification before
becoming fully effective for nonpoint source control, mining
planning may be undertaken concurrently with early "Best
Management Practices" control implementation.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Surey Circular
731 (1976) entitled "A Guide to State Programs for the Reclamation
of Surface Mined Areas" includes a summary of surface mining
laws for all fifty States and a directory (names, addresses
and phone numbers) of reclamation program information
sources in each State.
3. 3.2 ABANDONED MINING OPERATIONS SITES
(1) If initial problem identification suggests the presence of a signifi-
cant abandoned mining problem (see Task 1 for definitions), existing
mining pollution abatement programs should be evaluated to determine
their adequacy for meeting water quality goals.
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(2) In the event that existing abandoned mining pollution abatement
programs are judged adequate for nonpoint source control, such programs
should be formally designated as implementation mechanisms for ' Best
Management Practices" nonpoint source control. Implementation planning
should be accomplished concurrently with continuing application of
abatement control practices.
(3) If existing abatement programs are judged to be inadequate, the
process of abatement planning should be initiated with a preliminary
examination of the technical/economic/institutional options for abatement
implementation. Realistic options for abatement implementation will
determine whether full scale abatement planning or a more limited planning
effort confined to priority areas and/or minerals is adopted. If no
effective abatement techniques are currently available or foreseen before
1983, detailed planning may be deferred with proper documentation of
circumstances limiting any earlier abatement planning action. In the
event that detailed planning is deferred, abandoned mining sources should
still be factored into the overall mining planning process, but at a much
reduced level of effort.
3.4 ASSESSMENT STRATEGY SELECTION
Following an initial identification of mining problems and a definition
of planning requirements, a strategy for assessment of nonpoint mining
sources must be selected. The strategy selection process is generally
similar for both current and abandoned mining problems.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the primary basis for selection is the
EXTENT and the DIVERSITY of potentially significant mining water pollution
sources, tempored by the present availability of pollution data. Selection
of the most appropriate assessment strategy may also be materially influenced
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by the effective DISTRIBUTION of mining sources throughout the planning
area, by the presence of especially hazardous or significant mine discharges
from individual mine source subcategories, and by the data support requirement
engendered by concurrent "Best Management Practices" abatement and/or
control implementation programs. Figure 3 represents a conceptualization
of a basis for selection among several alternative strategies for nonpoint
mining problem assessment.
Table 3.1 presents an outlined of the water quality planning unit sizes,
the analysis approaches and the mine site source descriptions which might
be most appropriate for use within the context of each of the major assess-
ment alternatives.
The most generalized LEVEL I approach to initial problem assessment
might be elected in those instances where numerous and extensive polluting
mine sources are known to exist within a relatively small number of
mineral and mining subcategories (low diversity).
The LEVEL I approach would involve use of generalized loading
functions to estimate mine source loads for basins, sub-basins or major
watersheds based upon estimated numbers of contributing sources within
each planning unit and mining and minerals subcategory. T'nis source-to-stream
approach is applicable where sufficient prior research and water pollution
data, for the same or similar planning unit areas are available to enable
development of realistic loading functions. Existing biological surveys
might also be used to show where national goal water uses are restricted
by mining pollution.
Use of generalized loading functions for estimation of nonpoint pollution
is explained in the EPA publication ''Loading Functions for Assessment of
Water Pollution From Nonpoint Sources", EPA-600/'2-76-151, May 1976.
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FIGURE 3.3
WQNPOINT MIRING PROBLEM ASSESSMENT STRATEGY SELECTION
A CONCEPTUALIZATION OF ALTERNATIVES
MINING AND MINERALS DIVERSITY
A - CONCENTRATED DISTRIBUTION
B - HIGH IMPACT POTENTIAL
C - IM|liM§NTATION DATA SUPPORT
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TABLE 3.1
PLANNING UNIT SIZES, WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS
APPROACHES AND MINE SOURCE DESCRIPTIONS
APPROPRIATE TO VARYING LEVELS OF DETAIL
IN MINING NONPOINT SOURCE ASSESSMENT
ANALYSIS WATER QUALITY NCNPOIOT SOURCE DATA ACQUISITION MINE SITE
LEVEL PLANNING UNIT & WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS APPROACH SOURCE DESCRIPTION
I Basins/Sub-
Basins
Loading Function
Estimated
No. of Sources by
Subcategory for
each planning unit
II-1 Sub-Basins,
Drainage
Segments
Biological Survey and
Sampling of Segments and Sites by
Mining Subcategory (Classified by
Pollutant Delivery Potential)
Individual Mine
Source locations &
General Descrip-
tions by Specific
Segment (Selected
Subcategory Estimates,
II-2 " Heavy Reliance on Interpretation
of Existing W&ter Quality and biological
Data with Logical Relative Categori-
zation and Examination of Mine
Source load Delivery Relation-
ships (no new sampling)
III Drainage Individual Site and Segement Water Mine Site Conditions
Segments Quality and Biological Surveys and and Mining Activi-
Minor Sampling. ties Descriptions
Watersheds
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Loading functions for estimation of sediment, acid mine drainage, heavy
metals and radioactivity from nonpoint mining sources are presented in;
Section 3. 0 -- Sediment from Soil Erosion, pp. 29-74.
Section 7.0 -- Acid Mine Drainage, pp. 140-154.
Section 8.0 -- Heavy Metals and Radioactivity, pp. 159-185.
A stream-to-source approach for estimating loads, based upon the difference
between total loads and estimated background loads, is offered as an
alternative analytical approach. This approach might be used in those
instances where the actual numbers and locations of mine sources have
not been identified, or where too few mine sources exist to permit use
of the statistical approach. EPA's "National Assessment of Water Pollution
from Nonpoint Sources", published October 1975, contains estimates of
the numbers of surface and deep active and abandoned coal mines by
major and minor basins across the United States, together with numerical
estimates of sediment loadings in tons per day and acid mine drainage
loadings in pounds CaCG equivalent per day.
3
A LEVEL- III identification and assessment approach might be
utilized in those instances where only a small number of minerals account
for very few mine sources of limited extent which are known to be causing
significant local pollution problems within the planning area. The LEVEL
III approach involves individual mine site biological survey and stream
segment monitoring (and modeling if apropriate) for minor watersheds
and drainage segments with mining activity and site conditions descriptions.
The LEVEL II approach represents a "middle ground" approach for
use in instances ranging from those where a small number of minerals
(low diversity) are mined at a moderate number of sites, to instances
where a larger number of different minerals and mining methods (higher
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diversity) are represented at from few to numerous sites. In these
eases, mining activity may be so diverse (and therefore the pollutants
contributed by it) as to involve far too many individual mine sites to make
LEVEL III analysis a practical alternative.
The numbers of sources in any given category may also not be large
enough to permit realistic use of generalized loading functions.
The LEVEL II approach involves a greater number of compromises
with specifically detailed data acquisition than does LEVEL III analysis,
but may be performed using many similar techniques. Mining subcategory
classifications are established based upon similarities in pollution delivery
potential. A very limited number of sample sites or stream segments are
selected for biological survey or water quality monitoring from the mine
source population within each subcategory or from the population of stream
segments influenced by dischargers from a given mine subcategory.
Analysis may be carried out from the sub-basin to the individual drainage
segment level. Most specific mine sources are individually located,
but the numbers of sources in particularly difficult to locate subcategories
(i.e. , abandoned deep mine discharges etc. ) may be estimated from
existing data or limited sampling. In those instances where the magnitude
of the task of even selective site and segment sampling with attendent
load computation is beyond the practicable scope of the initial planning
cycle, existing water quality data and biological aquatic life surveys may
still provide enough information to identify and generally assess the
adverse impacts on national goal water uses caused by the most significant
mining nonpoint sources.
Widespread comprehensive water quality monitoring involving large
numbers of sources should normally be avoided; full scale field efforts
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are more likely to be an essential part of engineering feasibility and
advanced implementation efforts than a part of the initial planning cycle.
Monitoring, as part of the assessment process, should be confined to
development of minimum water quality and load information to support
realistic mine subcategory load estimates and comparisons. Under
circumstances involving large numbers of abandoned mine sources,
monitoring should normally be directed toward proper confirmation and
description of a relatively small number of the most significant major
pollution sources,
4- 0 IDENTIFICATION and assessment tasks
The overall objective of the mining nonpoint source identification
and assessment process described in this Chapter is to define which of
the existing active, and inactive and abandoned mine sites and mine site
subcategories represent the most probable sources of significant nonpoint
pollution. This process of problem definition is a logical prerequisite
to launching of an effective effort for selection of the most appropriate
"Best Mining Practices" and abatement measures to achieve pollution
control. At a minimum, the output of the nonpoint assessment effort
will include a definition of the specific types, and either the relative
magnitudes or the absolute quantities (loads) of nonpoint pollutants yielded
to receiving surface waters and ground waters from particular mine sites
or mine site subcategories.
A suggested sequence of major tasks for identification and assessment
of mining category nonpoint sources is presented in Figure 4.
Figure 4 poses the general mining category planning task sequence
for mining source identification and assessment within the larger framework
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FIGURE C I
task mmum for identification and assessment of mininq nonpoint sources
20a
NONPOINT SOURCES
NATURAL AND CULTURAL
DATA BASE
AND INTERACTIVE
ANALYSIS MODULE
> CLIMATIC
~ GEOLDGSC
» EOAPMtC
' TOPOGRAPHIC
' DRAINAGE
• GROUNDWATER
HYDROlOGIC
• FHOTOG«AM£TftiC
SUBSYSTEM
i VEGETATION
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of other "208" planning data bases and analysis modules. For example,
effluent limited and water quality limited stream segment identifications
developed as an output from the overall "208" Water Quality Data Base
and Analysis Module are used as a mining planning input; locations and
descriptions of mining nonpoint sources are initially dependent, upon geo-
logic, photogrametric and other data outputs from the larger "208" Natural
and Cultural Data Base and Interactive Analysis Module, and later yield
mining category inputs to the same larger geographic data system.
4'1 SUBCATEGORIZATION OF MINING SOURCES
Mining category nonpoint pollution sources must be subcategorized
in accordance with similarities in pollution hazard and risk potential
for generation of specific types and classes of pollutants. The results
of the initial mining problem identification may be used as a starting
point for source sub categorization. Distinctions would normally be
required among mining operations for different types of minerals, except
in those cases where the pollutants discharged are the same or veri-
similar in composition, range of concentration and mechanisms of delivery
Separate classes may be recognized for abandoned, inactive and active
mines, and for deep mines, surface mines, other mining methods, mine
roads, and mines of different ages, but only where such distinctions
are judged to be technically and/or institutionally required.
The assumption should not automatically be made that the full pollutanl
load contributed by active mining operations falls within established
NPDES point source effluent guidelines permit limitations because many
such operations may simultaneously be contributing pollutants through
nonpoint source mechanisms.
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In those instances where recognition of numerous mine source sub-
categories might entail overly burdensome data acquisition requirements,
consideration might be given to inclusion of currently active sources, inactive
sources, abandoned sources, deep mine sources, surface mine sources,
auger mine sources, etc,, in a single class or in a smaller number of
combined classes.
In some cases, the surface water and ground water quality impacts
from particular mine source subcategories may presently be only suspected
or otherwise be so poorly understood and ill-defined as to preclude any
realistic estimates of load contributions and appropriate selection of control
practices during the initial "208" planning cycle. Under these circumstances,
investigative research efforts on a limited scale into the characteristics
and extent of the problem with an emphasis on development of effective
controls might be the most appropriate course of action. Sufficient
information is needed to support the reasonableness of a judgement by
water quality management professionals that a problem exits and that
application of specific preventative control practices will reduce or
eliminate the problem.
A matrix cross index classification approach has frequently been
found especially useful in environmental assessments of mining. Under
this system, basic mine source subcategories are further refined through
description of variations in specific site conditions and characteristics
which are known to be closely associated with pollution hazard and risk
potential, such as chemical properties of minerals, percent slope, type
and degree of revegetation, proximity to receiving stream, relation to
ground water recharge zones, etc.
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Appropriate consideration for practical problems of identification and
class distinction should be part of the mine source subcategorization process.
Some mine source classes might be particularly difficult to locate or
to classify during the initial planning effort. Classes which are impractical
to identify might be merged with other classes or their numbers and
locations might just be estimated, unless judged to be of extreme individual
importance to the planning process. This might be true especially of
abandoned deep mines, where records of portal locations and extent of
workings do not exist.
•1. 2 SPECIFICATION OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Revised numerical and narrative water quality standards should be
developed to adequately cover all significant mining category pollutants and
pollutant problems. Water Quality Standards should be consistent with EPA's
"Quality Criteria for Water" and should be adequate to protect beneficial uses
including water supply, propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife, recreation
in and on the water, and agricultural, industrial and other water uses in
accordance with the appropriate use categories for each drainage segment.
An attempt should be made to establish standards which properly take
into account stream biology and aquatic life, benthic deposits and cummu-
latLve pollutant impacts as well as locally critical design flow conditions.
In order to insure that beneficial stream uses are fully protected from
in in-generated pollutant degradation. Critical design conditions should
be chosen so as to 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 stage of greatest
stress from nonpoint sources. The effects of gradual accumulation of
sediment, pollutants attached to sediment and precipitated solids on aquatic J
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life and recreational use may justify efforts to reduce n on point loads in
eases where instantaneous in-stream pollutant levels may not be objectionable.
Pollutants associated with mining of each mineral may be identified
generally from EPA Effluent Guidelines documents, and in greater specificity
from regional mining pollution research studies and Federal, State and
local water quality records and experienced experts.
Pollutant and stream parameters frequently monitored in association
with control of mining-related water quality degredation include;
Flow
Temperature
PH
Acidity
Alkalinity
Dissolved Oxygen
Turbidity
Total Suspended Solids
Total Dissolved Solids
Sulphates
Hardness (cations except Alkali metals;
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Specific Conductance
Salts
Metals;
Iron
Aluminum
Manganese
Zinc
Also, to a lesser extent -
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Arsenic
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Cyanide
- Antimony
- Ammonia
- Radium 226
- Fluoride
- Phosphate
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Each specific type of mineral being mined within each local or regional
area will be characterized by its own particular set of potentially significant
surface water and/or ground water pollutants. Asbestos fibers or radiation
may represent problems in some areas. Amendments (fertilizers, etc. )
applied within the process of revegetation and final reclamation on some
mine sites may expand pollutant parameter requirements to include BOD,
nitrates, phosphates and others dependent upon specific conditions and
amendment constituents. Chemical properties of mineral deposits closely
associated with the mined mineral will also directly influence the particular
types of nonpoint pollutants present, because these materials are often
exposed to weathering and transport as a result of the mining operation,
4. :i SEGMENT IDENTIFICATION
Data pertaining to identified effluent limited and water quality limited
drainage segments should be obtained from the larger ''208'' Water Quality
Data Base and Analysis Module. Any total nonpoint source load estimates
and mining point source load estimates already available should also be used,
Mining related point and nonpoint source water quality problems indicated
from segment classification data are useful for planning of mining source
identification, location and description efforts. Mining pollution limited
segment classifications should be based upon the design state of highest non-
point source pollution impact reflected in revised Water- Quality Standards.
~t IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL MINING SOURCES THROUGH
location and description
4- 4-1 IDENTIFICATION meth OP O LOG ¥
'The methodology chosen for location and description of mining pollution
sources must be appropriately suited to:
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o The approach and level of detail selected for assessment analysis;
o The availability and format of existing mine location and
description data;
o The characteristics and features of the specific mining sub-
categories and the identification criteria for source classifications
which are to be recognized and described;
o The physical distribution of various mining sources within a
given planning area and overall area size;
o The availability and practicability of various means of data
acquisition suited to mine source location and description, and
of various means of existing data transformation and manipu-
lation;
o The status of State regulatory records and Federal NPDES permit
system information within the planning area.
An initial grasp of the potential numbers and extent of mine sources
may be had from review of general data such as that reproduced in
Appendix A; Tables A-l and A-2 list numbers of inactive and abandoned
underground mines and acreages of land disturbed by surface mining by
State, respectively, based upon 1965-66 figures published by the U. S.
Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. Table A-3 shows the acreage
of land utilized by mining industry by commodity and State between 1930
and 1971.
Many of the same mining data sources might be used for development
of mine source information at different levels of detail (Level I, Level II,
etc. ); the manner in which a given data source is used is frequently as
important as its internal characteristics in determining the form and detail
of the information ultimately derived from it.
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A given information source may be simply unumoratod, it may be
summarized, or it may be transformed and interpreted in depth. Some of
the various information sources which might be used for mine source
location and description include the following:
(1) Existing general and special purpose maps, including U, S. G. S.
maps, State and regional land use maps, and industrial mining
operation maps;
(2) Regulatory mining permit system records, including NFDES,
State and local sources;
(3) County and local municipality inloririation;
(4) Previously conducted special purpose mining inventory studies;
(6) Mineral activity directories and tabulations;
(6) Aerial photography and other forms of remote sensor data
from which mining information can be interpreted;
(7) On-site ground observation and low altitude aerial reconaissance.
Care should be exercised by ' 208'1 planning agencies in attempting to use
large volumes of variably formatted mining and minerals data lor locating
mine sources, as such approaches may easily become bogged down in overly
time-consuming data manipulation operations, A fresh, new mine inventor*-"
effort based upon a single uniform data source which delivers just the
detail of information required frequently may yield me best mine source-
survey results with the least total expenditure of effort.
Numerous surveys and studies have been conducted which provide
some grasp of the types and numbers of potentially significant mine pollution
sources within various regions of the country. The bibliographic sections
of several EPA publications contain a significant number of citations:
(1) ''Processes, Procedures and Methods to Control Pollution From
Mining Activities' , EPA-430/9-73-011.
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(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.
(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". Draft Report, EPA Contract No. 68-03-2212.
An excellent overview of mining-gene rated water pollution problems
is presented in "Water Pollution From Mining Activities in the United
States", which was published by the Federal Water Quality Administration,
June 1970.
EPA has also published a series of studies dealing with definition of
ground water pollution contamination and problems, including those caused
by mining, found within each of the major geographic regions of the United
States.
4.4.2 UTILIZATION OF REMOTE SENSOR DATA
The largest aerial photographic and remote sensor data distribution
center is the U.S. Department of Interior's EROS Data Center located in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Most of the aerial photography and imagery
acquired by the various Federal government agencies is catalogued or held
by the EROS facility. Several Federal agencies maintain independent
aerial photographic data storage and processing facilities including;
o U. S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey
o U. S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS)
- Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
o U. S. Department of Commerce, Coast and Geological Survey
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Imagery acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) over significant portions of many States (mostly since 1971) may be
ordered through the EROS Data Center.
Table 2 demonstrates the relative variation of aerial photographic
and remote sensor imagery parameters which are affected by changes in
scale, NASA Skylab data is intermediate in scale between LANDSAT
imagery and high altitude aerial photography. Skylab normally does not
provide sufficiently complete coverage of large enough regions to be used
as an adequate base for uniform surveys of State and areawide planning
units.
TABLE 4.1
COMPARATIVE RESOLUTION AND COVERAGE PARAMETERS AFFECTED
BY SCALE CHANGE AMONG SEVERAL REMOTE SENSOR DATA SOURCES
Scale Ratio
1:1,000,000
1:120,000
1:60,000
1:20,000
Type of Imagery or Photography
LANDSAT
Satellite
Imagery 1/
Small Scale, High
Altitude Aerial
Photography
Large Scale,
Low Altitude
Aerial
Photography
Resolution Limit (Feet)
100'-300'
17'
8'
3'
Approximate Number of 1:20,000
AERIAL PHOTOS NEEDED FOR STEREO-
SCOPIC COVERAGE OF A SINGLE IMAGE
GROUND AREA AT EACH SMALLER SCALE
Over 5,000
photos per
LANDSAT
Image
Over 120
photos per
1:20,000
linage
Over 30
photos
per
1:60,000
Image
3 Photos
Per
Image
1/ Resolution limit dependent upon target contrast
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Remote sensor data may be utilized for location of various surface
mine sources {i.e., mining disturbances, mineral waste accumulations,
access and haul roads, etc. ) at the most appropriate one of several
different levels of interpretive detail consistent with the information
requirements of the selected assessment analysis approach. Levels of
intensity of data use may be characterized as:
Pollution Source Recognition
II
Pollution Source Identification and Delineation
S
Pollution Source Condition Description
III
Pollution Source Analysis
Manual remote sensor data interpretation techniques are likely to deliver
the most practical information results in instances where pollution hazard
analysis is to be performed concurrently with simple mine source identification.
Computer-assisted interpretive techniques may be found useful for development
of generalized land cover/land use information and for specific identification
and general description of sources in those cases where mine targets are
sufficiently large and contrast highly with surrounding areas. Pollution hazard
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analysis may be performed using automated techniques if the requisite
topographic, hydrologic, geologic and climatic data has been digitized,
and a suitable interactive geocoded data manipulation system exists.
Scale, vintage (year acquired) and format of aerial photography or imagery
used for mine source location must be well matched with similar cha racer -
is ties of other forms of data with which mine source information is to
interact during assessment analysis. Other data forms might include
underground mine location maps, topographic maps, geologic maps,
surface water drainage maps, ground water hydrologic maps, mine permit
records, etc.
Remote sensing information is well suited to multiple category rural
land use classification for estimation of pollution load contributions on
the basis of the number of acres within each land use class contributing
to pollution loads within each drainage segment. This method of analysis
would integrate the mining category nonpoint sources assessment effort
with construction, silviculture, agriculture and other nonpoint source
categories.
In using any form of remote sensor data for interpretation of mine
source information, care should be exercised by ' 208' agencies to avoid
overemphasis on development of elaborately finished map and overlay
products when rough working graphic materials are able to deliver the
same essential mining information at substantially less cost. For example,
annotated orthophotographic basemaps should not be produced in cases
where penciled notes on airphoto paper prints will effectively deliver
the mine source information required to support the chosen assessment
approach.
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4. 5 EXISTING CURRENT AND ABANDONED MINING POLLUTION
LOAD DESCRIPTION
4. 5. 1 CATEGORIZATION vs CHARACTERIZATION
Load analysis carried out during the assessment process may be
approached either from the perspective of categorizing relative pollution
hazards or characterizing absolute pollution loads. Absolute numerical
allocation of pollution loads and estimation of load contributions from
mining categories and subcategories assumes that adequate data can be
obtained, and that models and analytical procedures have been identified,
which will yield practical results under the conditions prevailing within
a given planning area. Selection of the best mining assessment approach
will also be dependent, but to a lesser extent, upon the availability of
data and approaches selected for use with other nonpoint source categories.
The pollution impact potential of mining compared to that from other
source categories will set relative priorities and emphasis among different
source categories.
4. 5. 2 RELATIVE POLLUTION HAZARD CATEGORIZATION
A relative comparison of the pollutant generation potential and
aquatic life and recreational water use impact potential of various mining
source subcategories and other nonpoint and point source categories
may represent the best approach to load analysis, not only because of the
present lack of realistic quantitative analytical methods, but for other
reasons as well.
Most quantitative load estimation, water quality modeling and pollutant
load allocation procedures conducted within the water quality management
planning context deal with broadly generalized water quality impacts rather
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than with specific temporally varying near-site effects upon receiving
waters, A current or abandoned mine source subcategory which may be
contributing only a minute proportion to the total pollutant load within
a given major or minor watershed area may, at the fame time, be
responsible for devastating adverse impacts on a few small stream
tributaries or short drainage segments located within the watershed.
Relative pollution hazard categorization is based on an under-
standing of the interrelationships among mine site pollution sources,
pollutant delivery mechanisms and receiving water characteristics.
The basic rationale is quite similar to that recommended for initial
mining problem identification and mining source subcategorization
which was discussed earlier in this Chapter and graphically illustrated
in Figure 1.
Mining pollution load information used m the assessment effort
can be directed primarily at definition of relative mining source sub-
category pollution hazard and impact potential, and only secondaril}'
at detailed quantification of pollutant loads generated by all individual
mine sites on all individual drainage segments.
Biological information is very important. Limited quantitative data
(chemical) can be used in conjunction with biological surveys and observations
to support judgements of the degree of impact various mine source categories
may be having on aquatic life and national goal water uses. Biological
information may frequently be more useful for defining problems than
chemical water quality data.
Once the type and relative magnitude of the pollution problem is
understood, mine site identification information provides a sound grasp
of how widespread or pervasive the problem may be in relation to other
point and nonpoint source problems.
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A relative pollutant hazard analysis should be adequate to;
(1) Separate relative magnitudes of pollutant contributions
from abandoned vs current mining operations.
(2) Separate relative magnitudes of pollutant contributions from
easily controlled mine sources vs very difficultly and expensively
abated sources.
(3) Provide a realistic comparison of the magnitude of mining
pollutant contributions with other nonpoint and point source
pollutant categories.
(4) Contribute to identification of the specific receiving waters
segments and tributaries most significantly impacted by
mining source generated pollutants.
(5) Provide a basis for sound judgement of the relative importance
of mining pollution impacts within the framework of the larger
"208" water quality management planning effort,
(6) Provide a preliminary basis for abandoned mining pollution
abatement prioritization.
Mine site characteristics within each source subcategory should be
described in relation to their exemplification of relative pollution risk.
Quantitative load estimation procedures such as the Universal Soil Loss
Equation (USLE) which may not yield accurate absolute pollution load
results, may nevertheless aid in understanding how pollution potential
may vary with specific changes in mine site and local climatic conditions.
Mine site source characteristics which may be significant in
definition of relative pollution potential include:
(1) Type of mineral being mined;
(2 ) Method of mining;
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H) Age and activity status of the mining operation;
(4) Level of preventive water pollution control measures previously
applied or presently being applied during the operation;
{5) Topographic situation of mine site;
(6) Internal mine site relief and hydrologic interaction with
surrounding surface drainage and ground water flow;
(7) Aspects of mine site surface runoff and water infiltration
properties;
(8) Site surface cover characteristics, especially vegetation;
(9) Physical interactions of deep mines with the surrounding
i
ground water flow system;
(10) Opportunities for chemical weathering of minerals from
deep mines and transport of soluable products;
(11) Geochemical composition and physical properties of the
and associated geologic and soils materials;
(12) Textural and chemical properties of surface materials and
relative arrangement of minerals in relation to site hydrology;
(13) Drainage density and proximity of the mine site and specific
site 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;
(2) Time variation of temperature;
(3) Rainfall energy ./intensity;
(4) Growing season duration and timing of associated phenological
plant responses;
(5) Time variation of wind speed and direction;
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(6) Time variability of the effective erosion index;
(7) Location, extent and characteristics of ground water
aquifer recharge zones;
(8) Ground water hydrologic flow characteristics;
(9) Time variation of general area runoff.
Important descriptive characteristics of receiving surface waters
and ground water include:
(1) Time variability of water flow volume;
(2) In-stream water quality;
(3) Background water quality characteristics;
(4) Bedload, benthic deposit and bank characteristics;
(5) Point source loads and flows;
(6) General variation of water regimen with timing of individual
storm events;
(7) Nonpoint source pollutant load contributions from other
source categories (construction, agriculture, etc. );
(8) Chemical composition of precipitation;
(9) Diversity and composition of aquatic plant and animal life,
and its susceptibility to being adversely impacted by mining
pollutants;
(10) Recreational water use demands and their timing;
(11) Interrelationships among runoff, infiltration, ground water,
levels, flow, recharge and discharge and surface water flow.
A logical analysis of effective interrelationships among the three
basic determinants of nonpoint source pollution (sources, transfer mechanisms,
receiving waters) may be aided by the findings or reservoir and catch basin
sediment studies, previously documented biological impact and aquatic surveys,
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ancl recorded complaints concerning adverse mining related water quality
impacts on recreation and aquatic life.
A further refined and more detailed investigation of interactions
and interrelationships among mining sources, delivery mechanisms and
receiving waters must be performed as a primary part of the nonpoint
pollutant control selection process described in Chapter 2, following.
Detailed timing and description of active mining operations components
must be viewed in proper relation to the time variation of storm events
and other hydrologic transfer mechanisms and receiving water character-
istics. Mine site hydrology must be analysed sufficiently well to gain an
understanding of how pollutants are generated on mine sites and trans-
ferred to receiving waters before effective controls can be proposed to
prevent such pollutant generation and/or transfer.
4. 5. 3 QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF POLLUTION LOADS
As mentioned previously, existing mining pollution load contributions
may be described either with a view toward absolute numerical character-
ization or relative categorization of the magnitudes of pollutant loads
contributed by mine sites within each mining source subcategory. This
section discusses the quantitative approach.
Whenever possible, existing routine water quality data should be
used as a source of information for description of the present extent
of mining generated water pollution. Aquatic life studies and biological
surveys can often provide useful information on the impact of mining
pollution on achievement of national goal water uses.
Section 5. 3.2 of the EPA publication "Methods for Identifying and
Evaluating the Nature and Extent of Nonpoint Source of Pollutants' ,
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1-37-
discusses emperical aids for interpretation of standard water quality
data for mining related pollutation information. The principal drawback
to use of standard water quality data for definition of mining nonpoint
pollution problems may not be so much the limitations of standard
chemical analysis, but rather the highly variable combinations of
storm events and base flow conditions represented in the data.
The major steps involved in quantitive load estimation are discussed
briefly in the following paragraphs:
1. Critical Mine Source Load Sampling
In-stream and intermittent mine source load sampling should
be undertaken only to the minimum extent necessary to permit realistic
mine source load estimation and relative pollution load comparisons among
various source categories. As stated previously widespread monitoring
during the assessment process of large numbers of similar mine sources
and stream segments should normally be avoided.
Selected representative mine sites shown to be characteristic of
a given current mine subcategory classification or of a particularly
significant abandoned mine pollution source are the most appropriate
candidates for water quality sampling.
At a minimum, existing water quality data, once augmented by new
water quality sampling information, should be adequate to support realistic
judgements of the relative ranking of the recognized current and abandoned
mine source subcategories based upon their respective pollution load
contributions.
Existing ground water quality data and information on surface
water/ground water relationships should be relied upon wherever possible
to provide initial information required for ground water related mining
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1-38-
pollution problem assessment. The quantity and accuracy of ground
water data may frequently be less than surface water data because it is so
much more difficult to obtain.
Water quality data which has been selectively acquired from specific
mine sites to be representative of pollutant loads contributed by other
similar sites within given mine source subcategories may be used to
estimate contributions from unmeasured sources and to comparatively
rank the relative pollutant delivery potential of mine sites within different
mining subcategories. The pollution delivery potential of various mine
sites and mine source subcategories may also be compared with load
contributions expected from sites within other nonpoint source categories.
Following estimation of relative pollutant load potential from various
mine source subcategories, a limited storm event discharge sampling
program is recommended for validation of these estimated loads and relative
magnitudes of pollutant contributions.
In the case of abandoned mining sources, major emphasis in load
assessment should be placed upon identification of mine sources or source
subealc:'gories which will be likely to prevent achievement of national
goal water use standards without appropriate pollution abatement effort,
2. Mining Nonpoint Source Load Estimation
The previously mentioned EPA publication entitled ' National
Assessment of Water Pollution from Nonpoint Sources", contains numerical
estimates for major and minor basins of surface coal mining sediment loads
for each State throughout the continental United States expressed in pounds
per day. Total sediment loads for each basin from inventoried lands, which
include contributions from all types of surface mines, have also been computed.
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Acid loading discharged from current and abandoned deep and surface
coal mines expressed in pounds of CaCO equivalent per day has been
3
estimated for selected basins.
The methods used in computation of load values are presented in
a companion EPA report entitled "Interim Report on Loading Functions
For Assessment of Water Pollution from Nonpoint Sources".
A source-to-stream approach to load estimation is presented for
use in those situations either involving large numbers of sources across
large areas or in cases involving few er sources where the mine discharge
parameters, numbers of sources and their locations are known. A
stream-to-source approach is presented for use in those instances when
detailed information about the number of sources is unknown, when the
number of mine sources is quite small or when available water quality
data are deemed to be particularly appropriate for assessment. Such a
situation might be well exemplified in the case where mining pollutants
are known to originate from specific mine sources without possibility
of contributions from any other source category.
The estimation of sediment loads from mine sources using the
Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is crude, but in general is a somewhat
better developed and understood process than is estimation of other mining
related pollutant loads.
Sediment load estimation is based on at least some directed knowledge
of the actual physical phenomena involved in generation and transport of
the pollutant. Sediment loads may be estimated to a limited extent for
individual sites and storm events, but procedures are best developed for
estimates of annual average values. Both general average and specific
site estimates of sediment from mining sources are highly suspect, in part
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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 mining sources only when coefficients
have been properly modified to reflect mining operations site conditions.
Quantitative assessment alternatives for mining nonpoint sources
have severe limitations at this juncture. The feasibility of performing
quantitative analysis should be looked at most seriously in cases where
mining sources are few and well known, or where mining nonpoint sources
are the single overriding nonpoint source water quality consideration within
a given planning area.
Quantitative mining pollution data ideally might be used in the assess-
ment process as part of:
(1) Estimation of existing receiving water quality condition with
consideration of pollutant inputs from all point and other
nonpoint source categories.
(2) Estimation of point and nonpoint mining source impacts on
receiving water quality at chosen design states.
(3) Comparison of mining-generated receiving water pollution
impact potential with impacts caused by pollution from other
source categories.
(4) Comparison of the receiving water pollution impact of various
mining nonpoint source subcategories with one another.
(5) Establishment of preliminary abandoned mining source pollution
abatement program priorities.
The present state-of-the-art does not permit particularly meaningful
use of quantitative nonpoint source mining pollution data within a mathematical
mass balance modeling framework. Stream segment models, estuary models,
impoundment models and storm water analysis models have very limited
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or no capability to deal with nonsteady state, variable flow, variable
nonpoint storm water pollutant input situations. Mining nonpoint sources
are highly variable and methods of estimating nonpoint discharges of
sediment, acid, heavy metals and other pollutants are crude at best.
Limited selective use of modeling techniques is recommended only
within carefully chosen watersheds where available mining pollution data
and analytical procedures are judged adequate to yield realistic results,
Nonpoint source modeling opportunities are presently not very
promising for immediate application. But their predictive power for
describing in-stream conditions under critical flow stages makes them such
a very useful tool for water quality management planning that efforts to
develop adequate models for future use should be encouraged.
Modeling offers many advantages for predicting future impacts from
proposed actions, comparing the likely results of different abatement or
control strategies and identifying conditions which might produce violations
of national goal water use standards. Long term effort to develop reliable
models to support the continuing water quality management planning process
is recommended even though this approach may often not be used as a part of
the initial mining planning effort. Estimation of impacts from some classes
of current mining is not as well suited to the modeling approach as is either
abandoned or new mining. Active strip mine nonpoint loads and haul road
loads contributed during construction are particularly dynamic and change
rapidly; long-operating, deep mines and open pits expand slowly and abandoned
mine source contributions decay slowly over a period of many years, and
might be modeled more easily. Prediction of new mine impacts through
modeling may provide some useful early indication of water quality problems
helpful for design of preventative controls. This may be true even if pre-
dicted pollution loads are not absolutely accurate.
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APPENDIX
TABLE A-l: Numbers of Inactive and Abandoned Mines.
TABLE A-2: Acreages Disturbed by Surface Mining in the United
States.
TABLE A-3; Land Utilized by the Mining Industry by State (1930 - 1971).
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I -43-
TABLE A-l
ABAKTONi.p ANP INACTIVE l-Nni'KCKin'XD MINTS
IN THE UNITED STATLS A.S OK 19btill/
State
Coal
Metal
Norum-t a 1
Alabama 310
Alaska 6
Arizona
Arkansas 269
California 32
Colorado 565
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia 115
Hawaii
Idaho 11
Illinois 1,605
Indiana 960
Iowa 1,138
Kansas 528
Kentucky 12,045
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland 564
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi 1
Missouri 466
Montana 334
Nebraska
Nevada 5
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico 48
Kev York
NoTth Carolina 5
North Dakota
Ohio 2,187
Oklahoma 251
Oregon 61
Pennsylvania 7,824
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota 1
Tennessee 2,931
Texas 21
Utah 44
Vermont
Virginia 14,397
Washington 247
West Virginia 20,616
Wisconsin
Wyoming 26.
64
773
186
3,045
1,699
6
62
1,749
39
60
681
4
7
7
7
278
87
1,520
1,691
1,346
24
26
277
61
78
12
35
283
1,140
160
2
30
172
42
31
1,348
17
14
907
389
295
27
6
82
7
3
20
203
124
2
13
120
1
1
6
1
36
146
10
3
23
1?
1,129
53
3
55
4
17
11
8
3
6
52
5
1
Total
67,613
18,654
2,215
-------
1-44-
TABLE A-2
LAND DISTURBED BY STRIP A HP SURFACE HIKING IN THE UNITED STATES
"AS OF JANUARY 1, 1965, BY COMCPm A HP STATE W
(Acrea)
St»?8
Alabama!'
AlaakaS'
ArlzantS./
Arkan»a»£'
Ca 1 i t'oriui^
Colorad&j/
Connecticut.
Dere-
Flo vidai'
Georgia
Mauali-'
Idaho^^
111inois—^
1 mi 1 «n»^/
lowa^/
Ksiuia.f
Kentucky
Uuui an«3<
Ka in®?.1'
heryland
Ma«sachu»ett#£/
Michigan^/
Mirmeacti
fc/
Mississippi
Missouri—'
Moni-arm£^
NebrsjV.it''
Nevada-
New Kaotpahirek^
New JerbeyS'
New Mexico^/
New "Vorkj/
North Carol tn»2-'
North Dakota
Ohio , ,
b/
Oklahoroa-
Oregoofe/
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island?.'
South Carolina^ 10,900
South Da«ot»
100
10,4002
/
2,000^;
Texaȣ''
Ut
V«--a»or.t
Virgjnia
b/
Uashington-
Ucst Virginia^'
Wisconsin^'
Wyoming
2,700
6,800
600
1
Total
500
300
100
3,50Qii£/
108,513
Coal
(Bitumlnoui,
Lignite and
Sand and
Cl«v
4,000
2,700
600
2,700
2,000
200
13,200
1,300£/
500
1,400
1,500
1,300
1, lOoS./
2,4OOSife^
900
400
t,2oo±ii/
700
600
600
2,700
6,600
900
100
1,400
13
1,700
5,800
800^
10,200—^
Phosphate
10O^£/
Anthractt«)
Seom
Gravel
Cold
Rock
Iron Ore
All Other
Total
JO,600
3,900
21,200
100
52,600
1,500
133,900
500
..
2,000
8,600
—
..
11,100
--
1,000
7,200
1,200
--
20,300
32,400
10,100
900
2,600
—
100
8,100
22,400
20
8,000
19,900
134,000
900
8,500
1?4,020
2,800
6,200
15,500
17,100
25
11,400
51,025
...
100
16,100
—
—
100
16,300
—
200
5,200
..
100
10
5,710
30Q£/
25,300
3,900
143,600
2,800
188,800
&,800£/
1,200£/
—
--
100^'
U,00Q£/
21,7005/
--
—
--
--
--
--
10
10
—
700
11,200
21,200
3,100
35
4,200
40,93J
127,000
5,700
9,000
—
..
H3,100
95,200
10,200
18,000
—
400
125,300
11,000
12,200
17,600
—
6
2, 300
44,406.
45,600^/
7,500*/
5,1005'
—
w.
2005/
S3,500
119,2002j£' 3,9003'
1.7002'
--
500f /
127,700
...
100
29,700
50
..
30,7 50
--
4,400
28,200
12
--
100
1.700
2,20^
2,200^
18,S00£/
20*/
8003/
25,220
—
1,200
36,400
—
1,100
900
40,300
—
7,700
25,200
...
—
2,200
1,200
36,900
—
3,900
41,600
3
67,700
1,600
1•3,403
—
400
26,500
30
--
29,630
31,800
8,400
3,800
200
8,300
59, IOC,
1,500
10
13,500£/
5,600
100
10
6,200
26.9J0
—
4,300
23,700
—
..
...
28,900
—
1,600
5,500
5,600
—
600
19,500
32,900
100
8,000
--
200
5, 306
2,000
27,600
...
—
1,000
1,800
33,300
1,200
100
400
40
100
4,600
t.,-W
—
12,500
42,200
5
—
700
600
5/,?05
10
6,000
18,400
2,200
300
100
4,000
36,610
7,7005/
300^/
26,100®/
—
—
2,00.12'
36,900
212,800^
21,000d/
28,100®/
—
4,0002/
600f/
276,700
23,500
2,500£/
—
--
—
1,400
27,459
300
1,300
6,300
--
10
1,400
«,410
302,400^
24,400^
23,800®''
8,800®/
400^'
370,70.?
..
20
3,600
—
3,620
1,400
10,400
200
8,100
100
1,600
32,700
9oafe/
—
28,000£/
—
..
3,30jb/
34.2C0
29,300
4,400
18,400
—
27,000
5,300
13,800
100,500
2,900
21,900
122,300
--
—
9,600
2,600
166, 3X
200
2,200
10
500
2,000
5,510
2,300^
4,000*/
....
«r
400^/
6,700
29,800^
4,30afi/
13,1001/
60Qfi/
100fi/
7-700"lW 4,10Oii!/
M.fDO
100
1,300
5,700
400
--
20
--
S.B.'t
192,000
2,800
300
--
100
--
195.40C
9,000
26,400
5
-•
49
—
35,55-
1,00a£/
300^'
20Qi|W
—
80Qb/
30S*»-/ 4,3(5(4/
:a,«K
.,301,430
241,430
823,300
203,167
183,110
164,255
162,620 3,
,187,I«
- D,t* obtained from Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Ci,tfl COB,plle(1 fro" r*P°r" '"touted by the States on U.S. Department of the interior form 6-1385X.
ci Estimate.,
-------
INS-
TABLE A-3
- Land- utilized by the mining industry in the United States
in 1930-71, by State and selected commodity
(Acres)
State
Bitumi-
nous
coal
Clays
Copper
Iron
ore
Phos-
phate
rock
Sand
and
grave 1
Stone
Ura-
nium
All
other
c owned-
ities
Total'
Alabama
34,900
6,390
-
7,540
-
5,280
10,700
-
280
65,100
Alaska
3,600
10
220
-
-
9,520
390
10
15,900
29,600
Arizona
220
630
84,000
5
-
10,800
2,140
620
3,970
102,000
Arkansas
3,100
2,040
-
5
-
8,870
9,580
-
5,950
29,500
California... ,
30
10,400
-
2,720
-
81,000
31,300
5
101,000
227,000
Colorado
8,630
1,590
30
50
-
14,700
5,630
330
17,900
48,800
Connecticut..,
-
830
-
-
-
6,350
4,980
-
150
12,300
Delaware
-
80
-
-
-
1,130
120
-
-
1,330
Florida
-
1,710
-
-
47,900
5,970
22,100
-
11,100
88,800
Georgia
40
13,700
-
370
-
2,580
15,000
-
2,640
34,300
Hawaii
-
60
-
-
-
520
3,470
-
760
4,810
Idaho
10
120
30
5
8,220
7,350
2,070
5
23,500
41,300
Illinols
234,000
7,880
-
-
-
31,700
21,900
-
900
297,000
Indiana.......
130,000
5,420
-
-
.
19,400
19,200
-
620
175,000
Iowa
8,600
3,390
-
-
-
14,000
25,200
-
4,110
55,300
Kansas
19,700
2,760
-
-
-
10,100
4,960
-
6,490
44,000
Kentucky
210,000
3,740
-
-
-
5,060
14,800
-
270
234,000
Louisiana
-
2,460
-
-
-
11,300
4,320
-
120
18,200
Maine
-
140
-
-
-
9,260
920
-
220
10,500
Maryland
4,610
2,550
-
-
-
10,400
7,880
-
190
25,600
Massachusetts.
-
520
-
-
-
13,100
6,680
-
10
2 0,jiW
Michigan
560
6,700
4,800
4,770
-
40,500
33,200
-
8,980
99,500
Minnesota
-
560
-
80,300
-
28,400
3,880
-
23,100
136,000
Mississippi...
-
3,500
-
-
-
6,510
710
-
10,700
Missouri. .....
33,500
8,790
-
520
-
9,550
22,600
-
27,400
102,000
Montana
6,820
300
10,900
10
2,660
12,300
3,310
5
6,500
42,800
Nebraska
-
500
-
-
-
9,820
2 ,510
-
20
12,800
Nevada
-
30
12,800
540
-
5,830
1,360
10
20,600
41 ,100
New Hampshire.
-
130
-
-
-
4,760
210
-
200
5 .300
New Jersey....
-
2,100
-
630
-
12,600
9,880
-
3,170
28,400
New Mexico....
8,260
230
13,000
30
-
6,950
1,690
6,670
11,000
47 ,800
New York
-
4,670
-
1,830
-
30,600
28,300
-
30,900
96,300
North Carolina
-
8,200
-
5
190
8,790
14,800
-
4,670
36,600
North Dakota..
27,200
140
-
-
-
7,540
100
20
10
35,100
Ohio
207,000
17,300
.
-
-
31,300
35,500
-
860
292,000
Oklahoma
13,800
2,370
340
-
-
4,810
11,700
-
2,490
35,500
Oregon
20
830
10
-
-
14,000
12,100
20
7, 110
34,000
Pennsylvania..
247,000
11,700
-
770
-
16,500
6,260
-
98,300
381,000
Rhode Island..
-
-
-
-
-
1,550
420
3 70
2 ,330
South Carolina
-
4,800
.
-
-
3,090
5,540
-
1,100
14 ,500
South Dakota. .
310
940
-
5
-
11,400
2,220
260
1,320
16,500
Tennessee
17,900
4,420
940
20
16,200
6,420
19,100
-
2,850
67,800
Texas
770
11,600
5
1,010
-
21,400
28,800
240
8,130
78,000
Utah
3,220
840
38,900
3,310
1,530
8,990
2,560
20
7,340
66,700
Vermont
-
40
200
-
-
1,960
1,410
-
3,780
7,380
Virginia
34,800
3,560
5
10
10
9,100
20,800
-
10,500
78,800
Washington. . ..
1,370
890
110
5
-
20,500
10,400
350
2,330
35,900
West Virginia.
196,000
1,230
-
-
-
5,230
7,640
-
70
210,000
Wisconsin
-
440
-
1,740
-
29,900
14,000
-
810
46,900
Wyoming
10.100
3.900
-
1,430
650
5.640
1.850
4,300
440
28.300
Total2 . . .
1.470.000
167.000
166,000
108,000
77.300
660.000
516.000
12,800
480,000
3,650.000
7~- ' ¦¦¦; i • >. - r ¦ ,r. - » a «¦ - i - '¦ 1 ~ ~, «• ~ * — x ~ ~ t i. -- i - - - 1 -
Includes area of surface mine excavation, area used for disposal of surface mine waste, surface
area subsided or disturbed as a result of underground workings, surface area used for cis-
posal of underground waste, and surface area used for disposal of mill or processing waste-
Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding.
-------
1-46 -
SELECTED REFERENCES
1. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
"Water Pollution Caused by Inactive Ore and Mineral Mines, A National
Assessment." Draft Report, Contract No. 68-03-2212. April 1976.
2. _ "Processes, Procedures, and Methods to Control Pollution From
Mining Activities. " EPA-430/9-73-011. October 197 3.
3. - - -• ''Criteria For Developing Pollution Abatement Programs for Inactive
and Abandoned Mine Sites." EPA-440/9-75-008. August 1975.
4. - - - "User's Handbook for Assessment of Water Pollution From Non-
point Sources. " December 1974 - August 1S75.
5. - - - "Loading Functions for Assessment of Water Pollution from
Nonpomt Sources. " EPA-600/2-76-151. May 1976.
6. - - - "National Assessment of Water Pollution, from Nonpoint Sources. "
Draft Report, Contract No. 68-01-2293. October 1975.
7. 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 / 9-7 3-014. October 1973.
3. U . S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning & Standards,
"inactive and Abandoned Underground Mines - Water Pollution Prevention
and Control. " EPA-440/9-75-007. June 1975.
9. 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.
10. U.S. Department of Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration. "Water Pollution from Mining Activities in the United
States. " June 1970.
-------
1-47-
11. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Land Utilization and
Reclamation in the Mining Industry, 1930-71. " IC-8642. 1974.
12. U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey. "A Guide to State
Programs for the Reclamation of Surface Mined Areas. " U. S. G. S.
Circular 731. 1976.
13. U.S. Department of Commerce. "Climates of The United States." 1973.
14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning and
Standards. "Quality Criteria for Water. " October 197 5.
15. - - - "Development Document for Interim Final Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the COAL
MINING Point Source Category. " EPA-4401/1-75-057, GROUP II. Oct. 1975.
16. - - - "Development Document for 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.
17. Federal Register, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Mineral
Mining and Processing Point Source Category Effluent Guidelines and
Standards. " Part 436. October 16, 1975.
18. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. Minerals Yearbook,
Volume II, Area Reports; Domestic. 1972.
19. 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 197 6.
20. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Officer of Water Supply and
Office of Solid Waste Management Programs. "Report to Congress:
Waste Disposal Practices and Their Effects on Groundwater". April 1976
-------
GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF CONTROLS FOR CURRENT AND ABANDONED MINING
NONPOINT POLLUTION SOURCES
CHAPTER 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Guidance contained in this Chapter is intended to suggest an approach
to mining nonpoint pollution control selection. The approach presented
is meant for application within the context of State and Areawide 208
Waste Treatment Management Planning Programs.
A sequence of tasks is outlined and described for selection of controls
separately for abandoned, and for current mining nonpoint pollution sources.
Chapter 1 dealt with identification and assessment of mining nonpoint
source problems. The effort described in Chapter 1 was directed toward
identification of existing active mines and inactive and abandoned mine
sites within a given planning area which represent significant nonpoint
sources of pollution. The specific types, and either the relative quanti-
ties or the absolute loads of mining nonpoint pollutants delivered to
local receiving surface waters and ground waters is also to have been
accomplished during the assessment process.
The technical field engineering aspects of the nonpoint source control
selection effort are probably best approached through early direct involve-
ment of a mining regulatory management agency or a similar technical organi-
zation having a full understanding of existing scientific information, industry
operations and local field experience in mining and mining pollution control.
The most workable and effective definition of "Best Management
Practices'' for active mining at the State and local level is likely to emerge
through the operational experience of an on-going regulatory system,
-------
involving an iterative proee.sw of continuing evaluation anil improvement
over imit', The 208 Agency should insure til at provision us made within
the regulatory system for a continuing quantitative evaluation of the on-
the-ground effectiveness of water pollution controls, and that procedures
are established for periodic adjustment and revision of regulations and
permit requirements as necessary.
The present and near-future availability of absolutely definitive
quantitative pollutant load information in the mining nonpoint source
category is severely limited.
State 208 Agency (in some cases, Areawide Agency) "Best Management
Practices'1 control systems will be designed to prevent nonpoint source
pollution from any mineral industry subcategory reasonably judged to
interfere with national goal water uses ana achievement of national goal
water use standards- Initially, control systems are likely to be based
largely upon existing information with only limited new data, and the well-
informed judgements of knowledgeable implementation agency personnel,
with clue consideration for the views of industry and the public. Their
decisions will be made within the context of each State and/or local
political, economic, and social structure, and wili be subject to 2 08
Agency,, State gubernatorial and EPA Regional review and approval.
2* 0 ABANDONED MINE POLLUTION ABATEMENT
The 'U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published a report
entitled "Criteria For Developing Pollution Abatement Programs For
Inactive and Abandoned Mine Sites". (EPA 440/9-75-003, August 1975).
Tins report describes organizational, financial and legal considerations
involved in implementation of an abandoned mining water pollution abatement
program. It also discusses technical approaches to collection of mined
-------
II-3-
lands water quality data, conducting mine site inventories and performing
reclamation needs studies.
The term "mined lands" is used in this Section to include abandoned
surface and underground mines for all mined mineral commodities, attendant
waste and tailings piles, roads, storage areas and related primary process-
ing areas. The term "water pollution" includes sediments, dissolved
chemical contaminants, and radioactive substances which originate from
mine sites and mining activities, as well as hydrologic modifications
which may adversely affect national goal water uses of surface waters and
ground waters.
The most significant aspect of the 208 planning process for mining
nonpoint sources will frequently be the management planning requirement,
rather than the technical engineering analysis program. Legal, institutional
and fiscal arrangements hold the key to abatement program progress
and success more often than do engineering and scientific data.
Technical information requirements should be defined by management
implementation support requirements, but a reverse feedback mechanism
must also be operative. Some appropriate level of information defining the
nature and extent of the problem, as well as the technical options and costs
of abatement controls, must be available in order to justify and stimulate
development of a control system with an adequate legal, institutional and
fiscal foundation.
In those instances where abandoned mining pollution abatement programs
already exist, the adequacy of these programs should be objectively evaluated
within the 208 planning and analysis context. Plans for modification of
existing abatement program objectives, scope, scheduling and organization
should be developed as needed to achieve water quality goals.
-------
II—4 —
Abandoned mine pollution abatement programs should be coordinated
with active mine regulatory systems in such a way as to clearly assign
the responsibility for any continuing surface and/or ground water pollution
from future inactive and abandoned mines. Any further growth and
expansion of the abandoned mine nonpoint source pollution problem should
either be precluded entirely or be openly recognized and deliberately
planned,
Most abandoned mined land reclamation projects carried out in the
past have dealt with coal mining, but also to a lessor extent with sand and
gravel, clay, stone, phosphate, copper, gold, and other mining; an expansion
of abatement programs dealing with these minerals and inclusion of numerous
aba;.,dor;mine sources from other mineral extraction categories including
oil and gas wells is mandated by the 2OB nonpoint source control planning
process.
No clear delimitation of 208 Agency (Stale or Are&wide) versus imple-
mentation agency responsibilities ia possible without reference to the
specific circumstances prevailing within each State, regional or local
plans * in g ) u r is die ti. on«
in those eases where implementation is to be undertaken by an,
organisation other than the planning agency itself, 208 Agencies would
be well advised to actively involve implementation agencies at the earliest
possible date In a concurrent implementation/planning effort.. Early
involvement of implementation agencies may be particularly appropriate for
dealing with highly technical mine water quality and abatement engineering
aspects of the program with which the 208 Agency may be unfamiliar.
Abatement strategies and control program alternatives generated by an
implementation agency which was participating directly with the 2 88 Agency
-------
II- 5 -
in the 208 planning process would have to be responsive to 208 requirements
for pollution load reduction.
2.1 ABANDONED MINE POLLUTION ABATEMENT
PROGRAM T55K5
Definitions of current, new, future, inactive, abandoned, orphaned
and pre-law mines and mineral extraction and processing operations
vary with local laws and institutional arrangements. Abandoned mines and
supporting facilities generally are those that are no longer owned and
intended for continuing mineral production use by the mining industry.
Inactive mines and supporting facilities are usually those which are not
currently in production but are expected to be placed into active operation
when or if mineral prices, extraction technology or other conditions
become favorable. Inactive operations owned by private citizens, govern-
mental authorities, industries or Indian tribes are each likely to be
treated quite differently because of legal considerations and differing
abilities of the various groups to assume pollution control responsibilities.
Arrangements for abatement or control of inactive mine pollution problems
must be worked out at the State and local level among 208 Planning Agencies,
mine source owners, affected citizens and other responsible government
agency officials.
Major steps involved in State and areawide abandoned mine pollution
abatement program development include:
o Initial definition of abatement program objectives.
Both short and long term objectives should be developed;
water quality improvement objectives will normally be in-
tegrated with other desirable goals related to aesthetics,
economic development, land use, land productivity,
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I - - ti-
ter res tial ecology and correction of other adverse
environmental impacts,
208 planning effort .should logically be concentrated on
and emphasize direct correction of water quality standard!
violations. Trie task of ameliorating aD adverse environ-
mental impacts from abandoned mines is a much larger
undertaking than is control of only the most significant
water quality impacts. Abatement programs must be
integrated with other objectives in order to gain adequate
public and political support; but, at a given level of
effort, the greatest improvement in water quality »viil
obviously be achieved through concentration on the
water pollution control objectives.
As stated previously in Chapter 1, revised Water Quality
Standards should adequately cover all significant mining
category pollutants. Critical design flow conditions should
reflect those conditions in receiving waters under which
mine generated nonpoint pollutants pose the most, serious
threat to national gcal water uses,.
As an adequate technical basis for complete revision of
Water Quality Standards to incorporate nonpoint pollutants.;
estimation of nonpoint load contributions and modelling
of in-stream effects will not be immediately available,
nonpoint source controls should be instituted in the near
term on judgements of problem severity supported by the
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II—*7 -
best available information. Best Management Practices'
and abatement measures should be developed and imple-
mented for all current and abandoned mining nonpoint
source subcategories whose uncontrolled or inadequately
controlled pollutant contributions are understood to interfere
with achievement of national goal water uses. Chosen
practices and abatement measures should be designed
to prevent, to reduce or to eliminate nonpoint pollution
contributions from such sources to the extent economically,
socially and technically feasible,
o Examination of existing legal and institutional arrangements
for abandoned mining pollution abatement.
Proposals for development of new institutional, legal
and financial arrangements should be formulated where
existing abatement programs are not adequate,
o Selection of one or more implementation agencies to participate
with the 208 Agency in a concurrent implementation/planning
effort.
Legal constraints related to land and mineral ownership
patterns may dictate separate institutional arrangements
and abatement program efforts for dealing with pollution
control on Federal property, State property, local govern-
ment holdings, industrial lands, private ownerships and
Indian lands.
When a 208 Agency has selected another agency or agencies to partici-
pate in a concurrent implementation/planning effort, wide latitude exists for
making joint funding and work program arrangements. Ultimate responsibility
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II—8 -
and control of the planning process rests with the 2 08 Agency.
Some of the remaining abatement program tasks might be best handled
by the 208 Agency; others may be better accomplished through an imple-
mentation agency possessed of more technical expertise specifically in the
area of mining and mining pollution control.
With the understanding that the program tasks listed below might
be accomplished either by 208 Agencies. by implementation agencies,, or
by qualified contractors under their direction, additional abatemenx
program efforts would include;
o Investigation of legal problems and solutions.
The investigation of legal issues should include a
determination of abatement funding responsibility for
each class of inactive or abandoned mined land owner-
ship. Decisions must be made to determine whether,
and under what circumstances, private landowners, the
mining industry or one of the various levels of govern-
ment will bear the cost burden of abatement. Develop-
ment and encouragement of voluntary and cooperative
programs and incentives to landowners and others for
lessening pollution through abatement projects and
reaffecting previously mined lands should be a part
of the abatement program effort.
Legal issues requiring resolution may include conflicts
among surface owners, mineral rights holders and
water users or water rights holders,
o Identification of funding sources and arrangement of funding
mechanisms for mine pollution abatement.
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II-!)-
The avnilabiIil.y of funds at local, Slate and federal levels
lor- various types of abatement projects should be deter-
mined. Potential funding sources for planning tasks and
data acquisition should be sought as well as for actual
mine site abatement, reclamation and construction work.
The mining nonpoint source pollution identification and assessment
process described previously in Chapter 1 will result in definition of which
abandoned mine sites or mine site subcategories represent the most significant
sources of nonpoint pollution.
The identification and assessment process will normally also provide
a definition of which watersheds are most impacted by mining pollution,
a mined lands inventory and inventory map base, data from mining-
related water quality surveys (including identification of mine water quality
limited drainage segmeiils), and at leasl proposed revisions to wafer quality
standards which account for mining-gene rated nonpoint pollutants.
The remaining abatement program tasks which are briefly described
below rely upon information developed from previous work efforts and
involve elements of both planning and implementation.
o Identification and description of principles, processes,
methods, procedures, measures and techniques for abate-
ment of pollution from abandoned nonpoint mining sources
determined earlier to be significant nonpoint sources of
pollution.
An example illustrating this process may be taken from
a study of acid mine drainage performed under the aspiees
of the Appalachian Regional Commission in 1969. Table
-------
11-10-
2,1 illustrates the range of mine drainage pollution abatement
and control techniques identified in the ARC study.
Abatement technique comparisons and study efforts similar
to this one are required for each type of mining arid for
each mineral commodity or differing set of mine site conditions
contributing to nonpoint surface and ground water pollution.
Selected examples of specific abatement control techniques
are described in Chapter 3.
Techniques for control and abatement are arranged for
discussion in Chapter 3 according to broad mining nonpoint
pollution control method categories relating to pre -mining
planning, controlled mining procedures, water infiltration
control, pollution forming materials handling, regrading
procedures, erosion control, amendment application,
hydrologic balance maintenance, waste water control, mine
closure procedures, and water collection and treatment.
Available control techniques should be classified
according to the specific pollutants which each has
been developed to prevent or reduce. Techniques
must also be further classified as to their proven
readiness for practical field application. Classes
might include;
A. Techniques in common widespread use.
B. Techniques in limited operational use.
-------
TAB1.F 2.1
M1NF. DRAINAGE POI.H'TIOV ABATEMENT AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES
M-t
Characteristics
Abatement
Mi
f i vpf!
Mine Drainage
Type'
Category5
1 ription
Surf nee
-•Icrground
Class*
Surface Land Reclamation **
1
The grading of earth, the const ruction of * ater ditches and revegetation of ground
disturbed by excavation of the surface.
A 1
- -
1234
Mine Entry Sealing **
1 and 4
The placement of barriers in openings from underground mines exposed to the
surface to constrain the movement of air or water.
-
- I
12 34
Drainage Diversion
1
The channeling of surface waters or mine water? to control volume, direction and
contact time.
A 1
A I
1234
Impoundment * *
1
The physical restriction of waters within an isolated area of an underground or
surface mine.
- 1
- r
1234
Refuse Pile Reclamation "
1
The burial or covering and revegetation of the discarded waste rock from mining.
A 1
A I
1234
Underground Grouting "
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
which would seal after reaching subsurface.
_ _
- i
J 234
Revegetation "
I
The planting of grasses, legumes or tree? upon the surface of areas disturbed or altered
by excavation or dumping during mining.
A !
- -
12 34
Inert Gas Blanket
1
The placement and retention within an underground mine of a gas that is not reactive
Sn the acid mine drainage forming process.
- -
- i
12 3 4
Microbiologic Iron and
Sulfate Removal
1
The use of living organisms to actively reduce acid mine drainage contaminants..
- i
A I
12 34
Sterilization
1
The use of toxic materials to destroy or retard living organisms active in the acid
mine drainage forming process.
- -
A I
12 3 4
Microbiological Control
Internal Sealing
*
1
.1 and 4
The use of living organisms against each other to retard the action of those which
are active in the acid mine drainage forming process.
The isolation or constraint of underground mine waters by the placement of barriers
well within the depths of underground mines.
- -
- 1
A -
12 34
12 34
Resource Removal
1
The extraction of all coal, and the burying and scaling of toxic producing strata.
A 1
_ _
12 34
Neutraluation ••
2
The process of chemically counteracting the polluting effects of acid mine drainage.
A I
A 1
1 2
Flash Distillation
2
The rapid evaporation of acid mine drainage ami tb>- reliqiiefit ation of the remaining
fluid, frcr of residual contaminants
A 1
A J
3
-------
table 2.1 (Continued)
MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION ABATEMENT AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Type'
Abatement
Category3
Application Characteristica
Description
Mine Type8
Mine Drainage
Surface Underground Class4
Reverse Osmosis "
Ion Exchange
Desulphating
Sulfide Iron Removal
Eleclrodialysis
Permanganate Iron Removal
Regulated Pumping *'
Stream Flow Regulation **
Deep Well Injection **
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. A I A I
• *
2 The passage of acid mine drainage among reactive particles that selectively retain
residual contaminants while the remaining liquid passes through, A I A I
2 The use of living organisms that thrive on metabolic processes that destroy sulfate,
which is a major residual contaminant of mine drainage. A I A I
2 The precipitation of iron from acid mine drainage with the addition of selectively
reactive sulfide compounds. * A I A I
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, A I A I
2 The precipitation of iron from acid mine drainage with the addition of an agent that
oxidizes the iron. A 1 A I
I and 3 The discharge of acid mine drainage at volumes, rates, times and locations so that the
contaminating effects will be minimized. A 1 A I
3 The containment and release of stream waters at volumes, rates, times and locations
so tiiat the contaminating effect will be minimized. A I A i
4 The placement of acid mine drainage or its altered product into the subsurface
ilu-ough a vertical drilled hole. A I A I
1 3
I 2 4
1 2 4
1234
1 234
1234
' Practical Range of Abatement Techniques is designated with **.
1 I, At-aouree control, by prevention of reduction of the rale of pollution formation.
2. The treatment of polluted waters.
3. The planned dispersion or dilution of pollutants.
-I. The permanent containment or isolation of polluted wateis.
' A Active; mines and areas in use for mining.
1 ~ Inactive; closed or abandoned mines or portions of active mines not in use.
tUwntara lu iWanifuurmn in TaWe 2.
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n-13-
C. Techniques under demonstration application.
D. Techniques under conceptual development.
One of the findings from the 1969 ARC coal mine
drainage study was "There are 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".
Those mine site conditions under which each control
technique is most appropriately utilized and the range
of mine site conditions across which the technique
remains effective should be defined.
In those cases where effective control techniques for
a specific mine source subcategory are unknown, control
measures may be borrowed from other similar
situations found in other segments of the mining
industry. Alternatively, the hydrological, physical
and chemical elements of the problem can be studied
and remedies proposed, or in the most complex of
situations, investigative research efforts may be launched
to study the problem and to develop and test solutions,
o Determination of the relative costs of available pollution
abatement techniques.
Cost variability across the range of site conditions
under which each technique is applied should be
-------
Un-
considered, as well as continuing post-installation
maintenance costs, if any.
Determination of the effectiveness of abatement techniques
used singly or in combination for reduction or elimination
of abandoned mining pollution load contributions.
Where quantitative data are lacking, typical percent
load reductions should be estimated for various technques,
combinations of techniques and mine site conditions.
The number of abatement techniques which can be applied
to achieve control at a specific mine site is usually
very limited; the choice of alternatives is often confined
to only one or two options. Greater flexibility and a
wider range of alternatives exists in scheduling and
establishing priorities for abatement, than is found in
technique selection. Site conditions frequently dictate
use of a specific technique or combination of measures
to achieve a significant pollutant load reduction.
Evaluauation of the cost effectiveness of alternative abatement
techniques and mine site abatement project categories.
Examination of cost effectiveness permits comparisons
of both techniques and abatement actions. Since so few
technique alternatives often exist at each specific mine
site, cost effectiveness is likely to be more important
for selecting among abatement projects at different
mine sites or dealing with different mine site categories
than for choosing among alternative techniques.
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11-15-
Collection and analysis of socio-economic information for
use in the process of establishing watershed and mine site
pollution abatement priorities.
Factors taken into consideration might include population,
economic need, development demand, aesthetics and
land values and uses.
Determination of watershed and mine site pollution abatement
priorities.
Priorities established on the basis of pollution loadings
and effects on receiving surface and ground waters must
also be tempered by socio-economic and land ownership
considerations. Other factors which must be considered
include possible future reprocessing of mine wastes and
tailings, remining of previously affected sites, and the
presence of mine sources for which abatement techniques
are currently unknown or insufficiently well demonstrated
to permit confident application. 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 sources, including the effectiveness
of proposed abatement measures on each, will be taken
into account in predicting improvements. The effect
of new mines and future inactive mines on water quality
should also be considered. The physical and biological
recovery potential of severely polluted streams and
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11-16-
degraded ground waters will influence the advisability
of abatement actions.
One significant outcome from establishment of priorities
is a basis for setting of schedules and scheduling goals
for problem abatement in each subprogram area. Separate
abatement subprograms might be established for Federal
lands, State lands, Indian lands, lands to be purchased
by the State and reclaimed, industry abatement programs,
industry/State voluntary cooperative efforts, private citizen
cooperative efforts with State and Federal agencies,
and local government property and acquisition efforts.
Separate program elements may be developed for pre-law
mine operations and those conducted under previous State,
local or Federal controls because of differences in legal
pollution control responsibilities. Responsibility must be
assigned for presently active and future mines after
abandonment. Such an assignment of responsibility is
needed because existing mine closure techniques may
not be adequate to prevent mines from becoming continuing
nonpoint sources of pollution following shut-down.
Several abandoned mining program tasks can be accomplished only
by also giving consideration to current mining, new mining and to point
source and other nonpoint source category data. These tasks are a part of
the larger 208 planning process, as distinguished from the more limited mining
planning effort. Alternative subplan development, nonpoint source pollutant
load allocation, environmental, social and economic impact evaluation, and
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11-17-
final plan selection can be carried out for the mining category only by proper
integration of mining planning information with other aspects of the State
and areawide planning processes.
o Development of alternative subplans for control of nonpoint
pollution from abandoned mining sources.
At a minimum, alternative abandoned mine pollution
abatement subplans should be prepared to reflect: 1) the
best technically achieveable reduction levels from all
sources; 2) and the most practicable program which the
planning agency would be reasonably confident of accom-
plishing. The most practicable sub plan should reflect
the 208 Agency's current appreciation for legal, financial
and institutional constraints.
In those instances where wide disparity exists between
the best achieveable and the currently practicable subplans,
at least one other alternative should be developed; this
subplan should define the least ambitious program still
permitting significant reduction of the nonpoint source
problem, and the scope of legal, institutional and financial
arrangements which would be necessary to carry it out.
The degree to which any of the subplans may be focused
solely on abatement of individual sources and groups of sources
which are known to be causing water quality standards
violations rather than simply contributing to water quality
degradation will depend upon the availability of definitive
data. The dual problem of defining standards which
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II-In-
adequately account for nonpoi.nl. source pollution contri-
utions and of determining the magnitude of loads and
the in-stream effects of contributions from specific
sources, will make strict focus only on documented
standards violations difficult, particularly during
early 208 planning and implementation phases. Refer-
ence to standards is further complicated by the difficulty
of defining ground water standards and violations stemming
directly from pollutant contributions versus those from
hydrologic imbalances caused by mining operations. For
these reasons, the best technically achieveable subplan
and other alternative subplans will normally provide for
abatement of the most serious of measurably contributing
sources rather than only those causing clear standards
violations.
The practicable abatement subplan will reflect at least
that level of continuing achievement being attained by
any currently existing programs, and make provision
for positive but still realistic program expansions and
improvements.
The environmental, economic and social impacts of any
proposed subplan should be evaluated at least to the
extent necessary to aid the subplan selection process.
The water quality improvements attendent to subplan
implementation and the economic impacts of implementation
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11-19-
on the industry, private citizens and various levels
of government should be emphasized. A more complete
EIS should be developed for the finally selected subplan.
Work performance schedules should be set for a twenty
year period in five year increments with corresponding
estimates of surface and ground water quality improvement
linked to scheduled abatement program accomplishments.
Predictions of water quality improvement for abandoned
mine sources should be integrated with data from current
mining and future new mining.
o Comparison of mining subplan and other nonpoint source
subplan pollutant load contributions with gross nonpoint
source pollutant load allocations.
Earlier in the 208 planning process, gross allotments
of each pollutant should have been established for all
nonpoint sources. The gross allotment is the maximum
nonpoint pollutant load permissible under design flow
conditions consistent with meeting water quality standards.
The difficulties involved in establishing quantitative stream
standards for nonpoint sources have been mentioned pre-
viously. The allocation process is dependent upon quanti-
tative definition of water quality standards. No specific
analytical process for allocation of pollutant loads among
point and nonpoint sources, and among different nonpoint
source categories is recommended here. Decisions related
to nonpoint waste load allocation at this time are likely to
be based more upon social and economic considerations
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11-20-
than upon the results of rigorous multiple category-
tradeoff analysis. A gross nonpoint source allocation
will be a useful point of reference during planning, even
in those cases where rigorous analytical methods are
not employed. In instances where only something less
than a rigorous relation to quantitative load allocations is
possible, abandoned mine abatement programs should
be oriented toward reduction or elimination of the most
significant nonpoint mining source contributions on a
priority basis. The basic mine source data required
should have been developed as a part of the identification
and assessment process described in Chapter 1. During
that process, abandoned mining sources should have
been located and described, and the adverse impacts
of pollutant loads from each mine source, or each source
subcategory, on aquatic life and beneficial uses of surface
water and ground water should have been defined,
o Selection of an abandoned mining nonpoint source control
subplan.
The abandoned mining nonpoint source control subplan
may be selected independently or as a part of the complete
Areawide or Statewide 208 Plan. Even when the abandoned
mining control plan is separately developed and selected,
the implications of the plan and its interrelationships
with current mining, new mining and other nonpoint and
point source subplans must be taken into account as
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11-21-
a part of the plan selection process. Inter-State, Inter-
Area and other interjurisdictional coordination should
also be accomplished,
EPA has previously published in 208 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
judgement, and the views of the public".
The chosen abandoned mining control subplan should permit attainment
of the national water quality goal. Specific geographic areas should be
identified specifically delimiting any zones where the national goal is un-
attainable. Established procedures must be followed to seek to downgrade
existing designated uses, or to otherwise seek exception to designation
of national goal water use standards in any water quality limited segment
because of abandoned mine nonpoint source pollution load contributions.
Exceptions to national goal use designations might be sought in
situations where:
1. Abatement measures or techniques for reducing current
levels of abandoned mine nonpoint pollution have not been
developed.
2. Projected levels of water quality improvement following
application of the best known abatement measures and techniques
would not be sufficient to permit achievement of national goal
water uses.
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11-22-
Each case of exception to national goal water use designation because of
abandoned mine pollution would routinely be reviewed as a part of the
water quality standards review process conducted every three years.
Exceptions would be removed at the earliest possible date following improve-
ment in abatement technology.
o Evaluation of the environmental, social and economic
impacts of the selected abandoned mine pollution abatement
sub plan.
Preparation of an EIS for the selected subplan should be
done in greater detail than had been previously accomplished
for each alternative subplan. Most of the data required will
already have been gathered elsewhere in the planning process
and should be available without major additional effort.
2*2 ABATEMENT program implementation
A repetitive series of tasks is involved in implementation of abate-
ment programs and actual accomplishment of abatement projects. The
primary task elements are described below.
o Conduct of abandoned mine drainage abatement program
feasibility studies in highest priority watersheds.
The watershed feasibility study involves a more in-
tensive survey within a priority watershed for the purpose
of developing a specific abatement plan for a defined
drainage area or groundwater recharge zone.
Recommendation of a specific abatement plan is the final
step prior to initiation of engineering design projects for
accomplishment of particular pollution abatement actions.
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n-23-
The watershed feasibility study may be considered either
as the last and most detailed stage of the planning process
accomplished by or through the 208 Planning Agency, or as
the first stage of the implementation process accomplished
by the abatement program implementation agency.
The feasibility study involves most of the major steps
found in the identification and assessment process
described in Chapter 1 and the selection of controls
process described in this Chapter, but at a level of
specific detail necessary to define the scope, purpose
and objectives of actual engineering design projects at
identified mine sites.
Accomplishment of engineering design for abatement
projects, and performance of the field work, reclamation
and construction efforts needed to carry them out.
Monitoring of post-abatement water quality and determination
and assessment of water quality improvements achieved
through abatement project work.
Post abatement monitoring information is needed to
document the effectiveness of applied abatement measures
and may influence estimates of cost effectiveness and the
choice of pollution control techniques for other areas.
Monitoring might be conducted for from one to five or
more years following application of abatement measures
to properly gauge the long-term effects. Reworking of
abandoned tailings and other mine wastes may sometimes
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11-24-
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 require relatively longer monitoring
periods for documentation of improvements.
3.0 CURRENT MINING NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION CONTROL
Selection of controls for current mining nonpoint pollution sources
may be best accomplished under the institutional systems prevailing in
the majority of States by launching concurrent implementation/planning
efforts involving the joint participation of mining and/or water quality
regulatory management organizations with 208 Planning Agencies.
The assistance and cooperation of the mining industry will also be an
important element, particularly in those instances where current mining
practices may need to be modified to achieve adequate control. Close
working relationships among those responsible for 208 planning, mining
operations permitting and regulation, mining water quality permitting and
the industry which is actually conducting mineral extraction and processing
activities will be needed to insure effective near-term implementation
and early reduction of mining nonpoint source pollution contributions.
Current mining planning/implementation effort may be focused
most directly on reducing near-term nonpoint source contributions from
current mining operations through critical examination of the technical,
legal and institutional aspects of existing regulatory control systems.
This approach should answer a number of key questions:
1. What specifically is the nature of the Nonpoint Source problem?
(This question is answered generally from the Chapter 1 assessment
and more definitively from the Chapter 2 pre-control selection analysis).
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11-25
2. How well is the problem being controlled under the existing
3 Are control methods and measures available to reduce or
eliminate the problem?
4. Do existing laws provide adequate authority for imposing these
effective controls?
5. Has that legal authority been translated into specific regulations
and a regulatory process which insures acheivement of adequate
control?
6. Is administration and enforcement within mining regulatory
agencies acheiving an effective reduction or elimination of the
problem ?
3.1 THE NATURE OF THE CURRENT MINING NONPQINT SOURCE
POLLUTION PROBLEM
The specific type of nonpoint source problem will be defined by
the manner of interaction of the mine and mining activities with its
own internal, and the surrounding external, hydrological systems.
The types of pollutants and modes or circumstances of transfer
are directly related to the mineral being mined, the associated beds
being disturbed, the specific type of mining and associated processing,
transport, storage and waste disposal operations.
3. 1.1 TYPES OF MINING SOURCES
A listing of some of the potential types of mining nonpoint sources
reflecting distinctions in mining methods, mineral deposits and supporting
activities which may be relevent to the kinds and severity of pollution
problems associated with them is presented below;
Mine Operation Description
Open pit Irregular, limited deposits
requiring intermediate duration
operations, (less than 5 years).
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11-26-
Open pit
Deep mine
Deep mine
Strip mine
Strip mine
Ancillary milling
and processing
plant areas
Mineral waste
disposal areas
Crude and processed
mineral storage areas
Mineral extraction
wells
Mineral transportation
systems
Thick, concentrated deposits,
supporting long duration operations,
above or below ground water level,
{more than 5 years)
Irregular and vein deposits, above
or below ground water level.
Extensive continuous bed
deposits, above or below ground
water level.
Irregularly occurring, exposed
or shallowly overburdened deposits.
Extensive overburdened bed deposits,
above or below ground water level.
Screening, crushing, washing
and benefaction operations.
Refuse, tailings, slimes, etc.
Temporary or long term storage
sites
Petroleum, natural gas, brine,
leaching and solution mining wells.
Mine haul roads, pipelines,
conveyors, truck, rail and
barge transport systems.
3.1. 2 CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MINERALS
Mined mineral commodities may be classified and described by
several differing systems. A listing of minerals is given below which
is based largely on Standard Industrial Codes (SIC):
Mineral Fuels, Carbonaceous and Energy Minerals (10)
Anthracite Coal
Bituminous Coal
Sub-Bituminous Coal
Lignite
Natural Gas
Carbon Dioxide
Petroleum
Oil Shale
Tar Sands
Peat
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11-27 -
Metallic Minerals (40)
Iron
Copper
Lead
Zinc
Gold
Silver
Bauxite
Ferroalloys
Cobalt, Columbium, Manganese, Nickel
Chromium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tungsten
Mercury
Uranium
Radium
Vanadium
Antimony
Beryllium
Platinum
Tin
Titanium
Rare Earth (elements
39 and 57-71)
Zirconium
NONMETALLIC MINERALS (63)
Dimension Stone
Granite Limestone Dolomite Marble
Quartz Quartzite Slate Sandstone
Crushed Stone
Calcareous Marl Limestone Marble Quartz
Granite Dolomite Sandstone
Traprock Shells Quartzite
Sand and Gravel (construction)
Industrial Sand
Asphaltic Minerals
Bituminous Limestone
Oil Impregnated Diatomite
Gilsonite
Asbestos
Wollastonite
Lightweight Aggregate Minerals
Perlite
Pumice
Vermiculite
Mica
Sericite
Barite
Fluorspar
Salines
Borates
Potash
Trona Ore
Phosphate Rock
Rock Salt
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
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II-28-
Sulfur (Frasch)
Mineral Pigments
Lithium Minerals
Sodium Sulphate
Bentonite
Diatomite
Grapphite
Miscellaneous TMon -
metallic Minerals
Jade
Novaculite
Fill and Base Materials
Top Soil
Each of the mineral commodities occurs under a differing range of
geohydrologic, climatic and surface topographic conditions. Separate point
source effluent guidelines have been proposed or adopted for control of
mine dewatering and process water discharges associated with mining and
milling or processing of each of these commerically extracted minerals.
Nonpoint source water pollution controls are similarly required for all mineral
extraction and processing areas and operations which produce adverse water
quality impacts restricting national goal water uses through nonpoint source
mechanisms not controlled under NPDES permits.
3. L 3 GENERAL TYPES OF MINE CAUSED NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Nonpoint source water pollution from mining includes all those adverse
impacts on surface and ground waters resulting from mineral extraction and
processing operations which are not controlled by point source permits under
one National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The forms of
mining caused Nonpoint Source Pollution include:
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 groundwater recharge.
5. Dissolved solids in groundwater discharge.
6. Uncontrolled contributions from current mine point sources:
a. High instantaneous concentrations of regulated pollutants in excess
of effluent discharge guidelines, but falling within the average instan-
taneous and average daily discharge sampling and averaging systems.
-------
11-29-
b. Unregulated minor contaminants in point source discharges which
are not included under NPDES effluent guidelines limitations.
c. Untreated excessive storm event discharges from NPDES
Mine Dewatering Point Sources; treatment systems may be
bypassed during any storm event of greater than a 10-year
24-hour intensity.
7, Reclaimed mine area and undisturbed area drainage diversion
discharges.
8. Surface and ground water contamination and degredation induced by
mine site hydrologic disruptions and imbalances. Modification of sur-
face water flow regimes downstream from mining operations, increas-
ed 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 inter aquifer flows
resulting in freshwater aquifer contamination are examples of
mine-caused hydrologic disruptions which could result in indirect
degradation or contamination of surface and /or ground waters.
3.2 ANALYSIS OF MINE SITE HYDROLOGY
One of the earliest steps in selection of controls for current mining
nonpoint source pollutant contributions should be an analyses of mine site
hydrology. The hydrology of representative mine sites within each mine source
subcategory which has been recognized to be a nonpoint source problem
must be carefully studied.
All surface and ground water inputs, water and pollutant transfers and
outputs should be identified. Interrelationships among the various components
should be defined, including the mechanisms of pollutant formation. Mine
site interruptions, disruptions and imbalances to premining hydrology, both
temporary and permanent, should be recognized and understood.
Figure 3.1A is an artist's sketch and Figure 3.1(B) is a diagramatic
representation of a hypothetical currently active, surface mining operation.
-------
-------
FIG lint 3.1A - REPRESENTATION OF A HYPOTHETICAL CURRENT SURFACE MINING OPERATION
-------
FIGURE S.1B - WATER INPUTS AND POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCE WATER AND POLLUTANT
TRANSFER PATHWAYS FROM A HYPOTHETICAL SURFACE MINING OPERATION
UTRAJION^^?
SOIL
An ii ii N <•¦>•¦
SOVE«»«dl»riB111„1,0111 3njJ««M»l mm P(N)>" C
LEACHATE nnillinimitgjj ,|ll*a*l*lll«l ¦'¦¦¦¦II iltlMIIUtlUl III liuiill Kill mil l^i ¦ailllilllllllllllllte
PERCOLATION TBI £ s
TREATMENT SUHFACt SEEPAGE
»|ini»nmnniriHnniummnnnmimmmiy»^iimm>nimmniinnnnnii |^| nuiC
-j— I ^VSUBSURFACE LEAKAGE
1 „ BR
1 BSURPACE
\ LEAKAGE
GROUNDWATER
LEAKAGE
1VERTEO DRAINAGE BASIN OVER
TREATED WATER OUTLET CARRVINQ
Minor unregulated contaminants
UNTREATED STORM RUNOFF BYPASS
bROUNOWATER LEAKAGE
-------
11-31-
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 in the vicinity of the site have been
diagrammed. Both point source and nonpoint source pathways of transfer
are included in the representation. For purposes of illustration, each
aspect of the surface mine example shown in Figure 3.1 is breifly discussed
and further explained below.
WATER INPUTS TO THE MINE SITE
1. Precipitation - Timing, intensity and quantity of precipitation are a
function of 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. Drainage diversions are discussed
later as a nonpoint source.
3. Subsurface Water Seepage-Proximate and deeper subsurface water-
may enter the mine as seepage from adjacent areas above the
level of the ground water table.
4. Ground water Seepage - Groundwater 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 in Figure 3.1
is above the ground water level, so ground water seepage does not
occur. The exploratory boreholes in Figure 3.1 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, as they do in
this example.
Once water has entered the active mine area, processes of pit water
accumulation, runoff, infiltration, evaporation and water retension storage
will take place internal to the mine site. Chemical reations may take
place. Minerals may oxidize or hydrolize, 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.
-------
11-32-
These windblown materials may then contaminate surface runoff, proximate
subsurface water and ground water recharge.
WATER STORAGE ON THE MINE SITE
1. Water Retention Storage - Water retention storage will normally
take place within mineral overburden or other disturbed mineral
materials on the mine site.
Mine Water - Water may accumulate in the pit of surface mines
on within the workings of other mines. Normally such water
would be pumped out and discharged as a dewatering point
source. Mine dewatering point sources are discussed later.
Catchments - Small catchments of water may occur within mineral
overburden or elsewhere within the workings of an active mine,
locally increasing evaporation, infiltration, or both.
Pond and Process Water - Figure 3.1 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 a current mining operation include
both point source discharges and nonpoint source transfer mechanisms.
The illustration of a current surface mining operation in Figure 3.1(B) shows
two types of point source discharges and ten nonpoint source water pollution
transfer mechanisms and pathways for contaminated water movement.
CURRENT MINING POINT SOURCE DISCHARGES
1, MINE 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. Such discharges are subject to effluent
guidelines limitations under the NPDES permit system.
2. COLLECTED ACTIVE MINE AREA RUNOFF DISCHARGES -
3.
(A discrete point source following collection) Discharges from
-------
11-33-
active mine area runoff collection ditches are point sources subject
to effluent guidelines limitations in accordance with NPDES permit
provisions.
Active mine area runoff and pumped pit dewatering discharges may be
channelled through the same or through separate treatment ponds or treat-
ment 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 pre-
cipitation event which exceeds treatment system capacity, untreated excessive
storm runoff may be discharged to receiving waters without meeting effluent
limitations.
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 is a nonpoint source. Runoff following regrading through-
out amendment application and revegetation 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 amount of regraded spoil leachate, spoil seepage,
proximate subsurface water seepage, and ground water discharge.
2. REGRADED OVERBURDEN LEACHATE (a diffuse nonpoint source)-
Infiltration of precipitation on regraded overburden may result in
percolation of reclaimed overburden leachage into underlying undisturbed
soil or geologic strata. Such leachate may move downward as con-
taminated ground water recharge, or move laterally as proximate
-------
n-34-
subsurface water. Contaminated subsurface water may emerge on
the surface as polluted proximate subsurface water seepage. Leachate
may also be transferred downwards through unsealed boreholes to
underlying strata.
3. REGRADED OVERBURDEN SEEPAGE - (A diffuse nonpoint source)
Precipitation which has infiltrated into regraded overburden may emerge as
surface leachate seepage at the toe of regraded spoil slopes and thereafter
become a constituent of regraded/reclaimed area surface runoff.
4. ACTIVE MINE PIT WATER LEAKAGE - (A diffuse area contribution
from a permitted point source) Accumulations of water in the mine pit or
mine workings may slowly leak into underlying strata. Pit water may also
move through unsealed bore holes into underlying strata.
5. ACTIVE OVERBURDEN LEACHATE - (A diffuse area contribution
from a permitted point source) Precipitation which has infiltrated into active
mineral overburden may emerge as leachate and percolate into underlying
strata. Active overburden leachate may also be transferred downwards through
unsealed bore holes or through natural frature zones into underlying stata.
Contaminants may also be transeferred from active mine pit water and
saturated overburden by chemical diffusion into adjacent strata.
6. DIVERTED DRAINAGE DISCHARGES - (A non-permitted discrete
discharge) Surface runoff from adjacent undisturbed or regraded and reclaimed
areas may be diverted around the active mine site. Drainage diversion
discharges are nonpoint sources. Surface drainage diversions may produce
sediment laden discharges which should be channeled through a sediment basin
or other treatment system prior to discharge into receiving waters. Any such
basin may also be subject to subsurface leakage and surface seepage.
-------
11-35
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 NPDES permit must be designed to adequately handle active mine
runoff and pit workings dewatering water volumes associated with a once
in 10-year, 24-hour storm. Excessive storm overflow from larger
precipitation events may be discharged without meeting effluent guidelines
limilations.
8. HIGH INSTANTANEOUS POINT SOURCE POLLUTANT
CONCENTRATIONS - (An unregulated contribution from a discrete,
permitted point source) Concentrations of specific pollutants in point source
discharges under NPDES permit are not permitted to exceed specified
30 day average daily maximum values and single day instantaneous average
maximum values. It is possible that high single instantaneous concentrations
of regulated pollutants may be discharged over short periods without violating
single day average or 30-day average maximum effluent guidelines limitations.
9. UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS IN POINT SOURCE DISCHARGES -
(An unregulated contribution from a discrete, permitted point source) Point
source pollutants in discharges regulated by NPDES permit are selected for
regulation based upon the "Best Practicable Control Technology Currently
Available" or BPCTCA and the "Best Available Technology Economically
Achievable" or BATEA. Minor pollutants occurring in concentrations which
are 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 are not included under effluent discharge limitations, even though
concentrations at individual mine sites may occasionally rise above desirable
levels.
-------
11-36
For example, coal industry point source category effluent
limitations regulate pH, total suspended solids, total iron,
dissolved iron, total aluminum, total manganese, total nickel
and total zinc. (Interim Final Rules, Federal Register, Vol.
40, No. 202. October 17, 1975). Other pollutant parameters
which may be present in coal mining category point source
discharges but which are not specifically regulated for one
or more of the reasons cited in the preceding paragraph include
fluoride, strontium, ammonia, sulfate and total dissolved solids.
Setting basins to remove suspended solids from point source mine
discharges are required under NPDES permits to be designed to
handle 10-year, 24-hour stormwater runoff volumes, together with
any dewatering or process water, without regard for the particle
size distribution of the suspended solids. Discharges carrying rela-
tively large amounts of fine silt and clay sized particles may often
exit from such basins still carrying fine particles because detention
time may be inadequate to cause fines to settle. Fine suspended
solids may therefore be routinely discharged from settling basins
without limitation even during storm events smaller than the 10-year,
24-hour design storm, without violating NPDES permit provisions.
Discharges associated with snowmelt, rather than rainfall, may also
be discharged without limitation. Snowmelt runoff and fine-grained
suspended solids must be considered yet another potential nonpoint
pollution source.
10. ACTIVE MINE RUNOFF AND PIT/WORKINGS WATER
TREATMENT POND LEAKAGE AND SEEPAGE - (A diffuse contribution
from a permitted point source. ) Treatment ponds may leak contaminated
-------
n-37-
water to underlying stata or may contribute surface seepage into adjacent
surface waters or natural drainways leading to surface waters. Even when
proper engineering design criteria have been used in earthen dike or em-
bankment construction, seeps and leaks may develop over time from a
number of causes, including the action of burrowing animals such as nutria,
muskrats, etc.
3. 3 KEY ELEMENTS OF A 208 MINING CONTROL PLANNING/
implementation effdrt
Figure 3, 2 is a diagramatic representation of the key elements of current
mining nonpoint source control planning/implementation. The diagram not
only identifies key elements, but further suggests some of the relationships
of the various components to one another.
The three most important elements of control planning and implementation
are:
1. Appreciation of Interactive Mine Site Characteristics.
Climate and hydrology interact with mine site topography, mineral
materials and geochemistry to deliver pollutants to receiving
surface waters and ground waters.
2. Understanding of Mining Industry Actions and Selection of ' Best
Management Practices".
Industry actions involving mineral extraction, processing, transport,
storage and waste disposal must be tailored to prevention of pollutant
delivery to receiving waters.
3. Description of Regulatory Control Systems and Evaluation of their
On-the-ground Effectiveness.
Legal, technical, institutional, administrative and management
aspects of control systems must result in on-the -ground achieve-
ment of stated water quality control objectives.
-------
11-38
FIGURE 3.2
Diagramatic representation of relationships among the major components of active mining nonpoint source
control implementation/planning
i
-------
11-39-
Th e sections following first present limited discussion of these three key
elements of the 208 planning/implementation effort, and the final section
then outlines in summary form the principal tasks which are involved in
selection of controls for current mining nonpoint sources of surface water
and ground water pollution.
3.4 INTERACTIVE SITE CHARACTERISTICS
Mine site characteristics which may be significant in defining water
pollution potential were listed previously in the final section of Chapter 1.
These included various mine source features, climatic parameters and
receiving surface water and ground water characteristics.
Climate, and especially rainfall, is often the single most important
driving force in producing nonpoint source pollution. One of the most im-
portant characteristics of rainfall for determing its potential as an erosion
and sediment transport mechanism is the energy-intensity (EI) of any given
storm or the rainfall-erosivity index (R) representing the annual sum of
all individual storm EI values at a given location throughout the year.
Figure 3. 3 presents a comparison of monthly rainfall erosion index
values which occur during the average year at three locations in the
United States having substantially differing climates. The three areas
illustrated 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.
In eastern Kentucky, the highest monthly erosion index of rainfall
occurs during a six week period in the months of July and August. This
same erosion index level is reached or exceeded in the western Florida
panhandle throughout a six month period between May and October. The
-------
11-40-
Figure 3.3 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 M
1/ After "Predicting Rainfall-Erosion Losses from Cropland East of the
Rocky Mountains",. Agriculture Handbook No. 282, ARS-USDA. May, 1965.
-------
11-41-
highest monthly erosion index value reached in North Dakota during August
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.
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 of analytical data concerning storm
frequencies and durations at weather stations across the country.
Other particularly important site features include surface topography,
geologic strata, their physical and hydrologic properties (erodibility,
permeability etc. ) and geochemical characteristics. Surface drainage
configuration, slope gradient, slope length, surface cover (vegetation, etc. )
and proximity to receiving waters are prime mine site factors in determining
erosion and sediment delivery.
3. 5 MINING INDUSTRY ACTIONS AT THE MINE OPERATIONS SITE
The nature and timing of mining industry actions at the mine operations
site will determine what interactions with premining site conditions, and
what changes in those conditions, will occur during and following mining.
The interactions and the effects of mining industry actions on mine
site conditions can be appreciated through:
1. An orderly classification of operations sequences, including a
differentiation of rapidly vs gradually developed features and
functional vs nonfunctional operations and their resultant constructs.
2. Evaluation of the nonpoint source water pollution potential including
both the adverse and the ameliorating water quality impacts
-------
11-42-
associated with each stage of each separate operation and alternative
operating method for generation and delivery of each type of pollutant
to receiving waters.
3, Examination of each action in temporal relation to climatic events
and receiving water conditions. The time duration and developmental
stage dimensions of mine features are highly relevent to an under-
standing of their potential for nonpoint source pollution.
Table 3.1. presents an example classification of several separate mining
operations site features. Distinctions are made between functional and non-
functional, and between rapidly and gradually developed mine features.
Stages in the active life of each example feature are described.
Rapidly developed nonfunctional features, such as strip mine pits, may
represent a severe potential nonpoint source problem for only a short period
and then be quickly stabilized by the reclamation process.
Gradually developed large open pit mines and deep mine workings expand
slowly in size and extent over a longer time period. Water quality impacts,
particularly ground water, from such sources may gradually become
increasingly more serious over time.
Rapidly developed functional mine features, such as mine haul roads,
may represent severe nonpoint sources for a brief period during con-
struction, and then gradually stabilize with proper drainage control install-
ation. Functional sources, however, fulfill some continuous operational
use as part of the mine activity. Continuing use and maintenance of such
functional mine features may result in additional nonpoint source pollution
problems throughout the term of their active life.
Table 3.2 is an example of a past effort to estimate the environmental
impacts of various methods of coal surface mining which was published in
-------
TABLE 3.1 - AH EXAMPLE CLASSIFICATIOU OF SOME SEPARATE MINING FUNCTIONAL AND NONFUNCTIONAL
OPERATIONS SITE FEATURES BY STAGES
STAGES
RAPID
NONFUNCTIONAL
(Possible Functional Uses)
GRADUAL
FUNCTIONAL
RAPID
GRADUAL
Development
Strip
Mine
Pit
Open
Pit
Mine
Deep
Mine
Workings
Well Emplacement Mine Road
Sediment
Basin
Tfei i 1 ings/Refust-/
Slime/Sludge
Disposal Area
Stabilization
Regrading/
Revegeta-
tion
N.A,
N.A.
Casing
Drainage
Control
Installation
Slope Sediment In- *
Revege- filtration and
tation Dust Control
4*
Continuing Use
N.A.
(Mineral (Haulage/
Extraction) Ventilation)
Oil or Gas
Extraction
Hauling
Mineral
Sediment
Removal
Waste
Disposal
Periodic
Maintenance
Reseeding
as
Required
N.A.
Debris
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
Regraaing, 3e*¦
Burrying, and
Revegetation
-------
TABLE 3.2
ESTIMATED ESVIROtWEHTAL EFFECTS OF COM. SURFACE HIWIHO^'
(Scale for severity of environmental Indicators:-' 3 - Severe adverse Impact; 0 - Negligible adverse Impact)
,16/
Hater
Land Use
(Adjacent
Land
Health and
Safety
Aesthetics
Mlnlna Technique^'
Surface
Pollution
Groundwater
Changed
Water
Courses
Air
Pollution
(Dust)
Impact a.d
Precluded
Land Use)
(Landslides
and
Flooding)
Wildlife
Habitat and
Disruption
(Hlghvall
and
Vegetation)
Total-'
Area Mining:
Without reclamation
1-2
0-1
1-3
2-3
2-3
0
1-2
2-3
9-1®
With reclamation!/
0-1
0-1
0-1
1
0
0
0
0
1-4
Contour mining (spoils on downslope):
Conventional contour strip
3
0-1
2-3
2-3
3
3
1-3
3
17-22
Contour strip with spoils shaping
1-3
0
2-3
2-3
2-3
1-3
1-2
2-3
11-20
Contour strip with terrace backfilling
1-2
0
0-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
0-1
4-13
Contour strip with contour backfilling
I
0
0-1
1-2
0-1
0-1
1
1
3-B
Augering from narrow bench
1-3
1-3
0-1
0-1
1-2
0-1
0-1
1
3-12
Contour mining (no spoils on downslope):
-
Modified block cut
1
0
0
1
0
0
0-1
0-1
2-4
Long wall surface
0-1
1-2
0
0-1
0-1
0
0
0
1-5
Augering with backfilling
0-1
1-2
0
0-1
0
0
0
0
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 depend
on the technique(»t for
which it
d/
serves as a supplemental method for spoil disposal.
Aggregating environmental parameters into a single index is 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.
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 bi> reestablished.
¦f*
-------
11-45-
EPA 430/9-73-014 "Methods for Identifying and Evaluating the Nature and
Extent of Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants". Water quality impacts expressed
in Table 3. 2 involve judgements of pollution potential which are 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 substantially
reduces the potential water pollution problems which normally result
from conventional contour stripping.
Table 3. 3 represents an example of a past effort to estimate the
environmental effects of each of the descrete activities and stages involved
in carrying out a coal surface mining and reclamation operation. This
kind of presentation may be useful for identifying specific needs for appli -
cation of preventative control measures to reduce or eliminate anticipated
adverse water quality impacts.
Mining 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. Figure 3.4 is a
hypothetical illustration of the relationships in timing among amount of
rainfall, quantity of streamflow, rainfall energy-intensity (erosive force)
and a typical sequence of activities involved in conduct of a one year long
surface mining operation. The situation described is hypothetical, but
might well correspond to conditions found in the Southern Appalachian Region.
Periods of highest streamflow may not necessarily coincide with
periods of highest rainfall because of the effect of temperature and
evapotranspiration, as well as the influence of vegetation condition
on infiltration/runoff relationships.
-------
TABLE 3.3
RATIHG OF ENVIRONHEHTAI. EFFECTS OP PISCBETE COAL SURFACE HININC
AND RECLAMATION nPERATIOHSlj/*
Surface Mining Operation
Environmental Component
Physical-Chemical
en
V
T3
00
r-4
ft
e
fmt
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«—<
0
W
a
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js
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3
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•—<
14
m
se
tu
"O <9
0 >4
W H
«
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V «
9 2
a 3
-c o
u u
¦a
o
o
« c
« o
(Q -p4
xi a
c 3
3 M
O m
u "¦*
o a
Biological.
Cultural
e
41
4J
M iJ
at C a
> a a, c
O «h o
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U W
e »- w 3
rrf O
HJ
3 U -O U
« n *q
•H
O » —• «
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b QJ «rl
U 9 "Q to
SB
o a ^ a
Ot *-i *C ^
2
o
<1 V
< &
1
¦£»
I
1, Access road cut and use
+
+
0
+
+
+
+
0
0
+
0
+
0
0
+
0
2, Drilling and blasting
+
+
+
0
0
0
+
0
+
+
"4-
• +
+
+
+
+
3. Scalping
0
0
0
+
+
0
0
b
0
+
0
+
+
0
0
+
4. Overburden removal and placement
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
0
+
+
+
+
+
5. Coal removal
0
0
+
+
+
+
0
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
Net Environmental Effect of Surface
3+
3*
3+
4+
4+
3+
3+
2+
2+
5+
1+
4+
>*-
2+
3+
34-
Mining Operation
Reclamation Operation
6, Spoil rehandling and grading
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
+
0
0
-
0
-
-
7, Revegetation
-
-
0
-
-
0
0
-
0
-
0
-
-
-
-
-
8. Drainage controls
-
-
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
-
0
0
-
0
9. Sediment basin
0
0
0
0
-
0
0
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
0
Set Environmental Effect of
3-
3-
1-
3-
4-
2-
2-
U -
1-
1-
0
2-
2-
1-
4-
7-
Reclamation Operation
Net Environmental Effect of
0
0
2 +
1 +
0
1+
1 +
2-
1+
4-f-
L+
2+
1+
1+
1-
l*
Surface Mining And Reclamation Operation
+ Adverse Environmental Impacts Ani'r.tvai ril
0 Negligible Environmental Impacts
Adverse Environmental Impact-; Corrected
AdapLcd f I rum K«'S . I <>) .
-------
TYPTCZCSEQUENCE OF ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CONDUCT OF A ONE YEAR LONG SURFACE MINING OPERATION
SHOWN m RELATION TO LOCAL TEMPERATURE, LOCAL STREAMFLOMJ,JJ)CALJi&lJtfALL QUANTITY AND ^
~ LOCAL RAINFALL ENERGY-INTENSITY (EROSIVE FORCET ^ ^ ^
MONTH IN THE ANNUAL
CYCLE
TEMPERATURE
Dec- i Jan.
MODERATE
COLD
Feb -i Mar. ' Apr.
MODERATE
Ma,
June, July, Aug.I Sept.
y I June, duly^
I WARM \ Hot | ^JARH
Oct,
Nov. Dec.
MODERATE
STREAMFLOW
HIGH FLOW
I
HIGH FLOW
MODERATE FLOW
MODERATE FLOW
LOW FLOW
HIGHEST
RAINFALL
¦ HIGH
lUANTm
MODERATE QUANTITY
HIGH QUANTITY
LOW QUANTIFY QUANTITY
I QUANTITY
MODERATE
ENERGY-INTENSITY
OF RAINFALL
SEQUENCE
OF
SURFACE
MINING
ACTIVITIES
(Water Quality
Control and
Reclamation
Activities are
Underlined)
LOW ENERGY
MODERATE
ENERGY 7"
HIGHEST
ENERGY ^
MODERATE
INTENSITY
4*
^4
o ftine"Access Road Construction ~ !
o Road Drainage Control and Stabilization |
o Exploratory DrilTino
o Installation of Sediment Basins
0 Construction of Diversion Ditches
o timber Stand Liquidation
LOW ENER6Y
o Clearing and Grubbing | 1
o Topsoil Segregation (Scalping) •
° topsoil Stockpile Stabilization
o Overburden Removal and Selective Placement
o Overburden Drainage Control Installation
~MINERAL EXTRACTION '
o Mineral Hauling y
a Mine Access Road Maintenance and waterin
o Sediment Basin Clean out and Sediment Disposal
o Selective Overburden hacement and Backfilling
,o Terracing and Grading
, o Graded Spoils Drainaqe Control Installation
l - o Topsoilfno 2
! o Application of Soil Amendments
0 Vefsetiflon Seeding
' o Mulching" *"
o Sediment Basin Removal
o Mine Access toad Ctosure
Interval
1/ Road Maintenance may be considered tn be both a oroduction and a water quality control function.
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11-48-
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 mining activities can often be adjusted to avoid creation
of potentially severe nonpoint source problems. Regulation of the in-
tensity as well as the timing of certain mining activities during critical
periods may help to reduce water quality impacts; for example, mine
haul road use might be reduced during bad weather to prevent deep
rutting and increased erosion. Even under circumstances when adjustment
of activity schedules may not be practicable, knowledge of the timing of
critical climatic and stream conditions will aid in planning and design of
adequate 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 susceptability of aquatic life
and recreational uses to impacts from mining pollutants is also an
important consideration.
In some areas of the country wind erosion causing fugitive dust problems
may be a significant climatic characteristic figuring in nonpoint source
pollution. Particulate matter may be carried by winds directly to receiving
waters; dust may also be carried to land areas adjacent to mine operations
and later transported in runoff to receiving waters. Accumulations of dust
on winter snow cover adjacent to mines may represent a significant nonpoint
source problem during the spring thaw.
3. 6 MINING REGULATORY CONTROL SYSTEMS
Nonpoint source control regulations for mining sources are designed
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n-49-
to prevent surface water and ground water pollution from mining operations.
Regulatory systems often have other objectives besides water pollution
control; aesthetics, rights of adjacent landowners, maintenance of land
productivity, preservation of terrestrial ecological values, prevention
of subsidence, and concern for post mining land use, may also be involved.
Laws and regulations may be issued separately or collectively to cover
surface mining, open pit mining, deep mining, well extraction, surface
and underground mineral waste disposal, mineral storage sites, mineral
transportation systems, and mineral processing areas.
Each mining regulatory control system achieves its own peculiar
balance between mining law, mining regulations and mining field practice
guidelines. Legislative bodies may enact laws for preventing water
pollution which state highly generalized, broad objectives on environmental
standards and authorize a management agency to promulgate rules and control
regulations. In developing mining rules and regulations, designated
management agencies may exercise considerable latitude in the specificity
of their regulations; seldom are the small details of mining practice
formally defined and thereby required in mining regulations. Management
agencies frequently develop and issue field guidance manuals to mine
operations and inspectors which provide detailed descriptions and speci-
fications for desirable mining practices and control techniques and methods.
Information in field manuals is not mandatory, but is intended to aid mine
operators in design of adequate controls at each mine site, and to aid
mine inspectors in judging the adequacy of controls installed at each operation.
Some specific details of mining field practice may be of such general
applicability, at all mine sites and of such importance to achievement of
adequate control, that they are included directly in mining control law, or
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11-50-
are specifically required in mining rules and regulations. In the area of
erosion and sediment control, gradient limitations for steep slope surface
mining and for mine haul roads in mountainous terrain are common examples
of specifically regulated field practice details.
Mining water quality control programs which may have been originally
conceived over concern 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 consider all aspects
of erosion and sediment control, ground water contamination, and hydrologic
balance disruption.
No mining regulatory control program will be 100% effective in preventing
all adverse water quality impacts. The effectiveness of control systems
will vary with the specific makeup of the mineral industry, field conditions
at mining operations sites, the adequacy of mining laws, rules and regulations,
the state of control technology, and the institutional, administrative and
management aspects of the control system.
The concept of "risk" may figure as an important aspect of any
regulatory control system. Not only specific techniques and measures
applied by the industry, but the whole control system itself may fail to
achieve its intended objectives. The regulatory or the planning agency
may approach this problem by seeking to answer questions such as:
(1) What percentage of full effectiveness is the existing or proposed
system achieving or likely to achieve ?
(2) What is the failure rate which should be expected from steep fill
slopes on mine haul roads, from dike walls surrounding mine waste
disposal areas, or the like, if they are designed and built as presently
required (or not required) under mining rules and regulations?
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11-51-
When a government agency permits mineral extraction operations to take
place under a system which may always fail, or fail a substantial percentage
of the time, to achieve its stated objectives for prevention of adverse water
quality impacts, subsequent pollution problems from newly abandoned mining
operations sites will become a public liability. This has occurred repeatedly
in the past.
An effective and adequate mining regulatory control program is one
which:
o Specifically assigns control responsibility for any post-mining
pollution problems and the terms of release from such responsi-
bility in such a way as to preclude any further growth of the
public environmental debt associated with abandoned mines,
o Regulates all aspects of the minerals industry which are
reasonably understood to cause adverse water quality impacts,
o Incorporates an ongoing procedure for evaluation of the
effectiveness of the control system in achieving its stated
objectives and environmental standards related to water quality,
o Includes a process for ongoing examination of new mining
practices and control techniques and a requirement for prompt
adoption of improved practices when they become sufficiently
well developed for widespread application,
o Separates the mining promotional functions of government from
the regulatory responsibilities of the management agency to
avoid conflicts of interest,
o Develops feedback mechanisms to continually re-direct and focus
mining pollution control research efforts on the most significant
control problems.
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11-52
o Does not preclude local zoning action following State or other
higher governmental level mining permit approval,
o Provides penalties sufficient to discourage violations,
o Includes provision for designation of areas as unsuitable for
mining or for denial of individual mining permits under
circumstances where the potential severity of adverse water
quality impacts outweighs mineral industrial or other economic
or social gains to be realized from extraction,
o Examines the effects of each new mining operation in relation
to existing sources, to future operations and to other activities
impacting water quality within the mining permit approval process,
o Specifically assigns pollution control responsibility throughout
any and all periods of inactivity,
o Specifically addresses final disposition and continuing maintenance
of all roads, sediment basins and other structures remaining
after mining is completed.
New regulatory control programs must separately address the appli-
cability of new rules and regulations to current mines and to future new mines.
Nonpoint source water pollution control planning/implementation for new
mineral industry operations is discussed separately in Chapter 4. Current
operations with a limited life expectancy might be treated differently from
those anticipated to remain active for many years following institution of
new regulations. Legislative bodies drafting new mining laws should specifi-
cally identify any requirements for demonstration of economic feasibility
of compliance, and either perform that analysis directly or assign that
responsibility to the enforcement agency or other governmental body.
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11-53-
3.7 CURRENT MINING NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROL PROGRAM TASKS
The single most important issue to be addressed in 208 planning for
control of current mining nonpoint sources is the on-the-ground effectiveness
of any existing regulatory control system and the projected effectiveness of
any proposed system.
Application of the "Best Management Practices" concept to mining
nonpoint sources involves development and institutionalization of a control
system which is sufficiently effective to insure initial and continuing achieve-
ment of national goal water uses. Such a system will prevent, reduce or
eliminate adverse water quality impacts from current mineral industrv
operations, and will preclude further growth in the public burden from
future inactive or abandoned mining operations.
The requirement for 208 planning should initially be viewed as an
opportunity to perform an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of existing
mining control systems, to identify specific deficiencies and limitations in
those systems and to set forth definite plans and schedules for improve-
ments and implementation of corrective actions. The requirement for
continuing water quality management planning beyond the first 208 planning
cycle poses the chance for a useful on-going role for WQM planning; it
represents an opportunity to institutionalize a process for continuing evaluation
of the effectiveness of mining practices, control techniques and regulatory
systems for preventing adverse water quality impacts, and to utilize integrated
watershed/recharge zone planning procedures as a regular part of preminmg
planning and permit approval processes. If initial and continuing water
quality management planning is carried out in the most effective manner,
the degree to which mining laws and regulatory systems are accomplishing
their stated water pollution prevention objectives will no longer be a matter
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H-54-
of conjecture, and emphasis on permitting of individual operations will be
tempored by recognition of the cummulative impacts of mining operations
on surface and sub-surface hydrologic systems.
The major tasks involved in current mining n on point sources control
planning/implementation are briefly described in the paragraphs following.
o Perform a preliminary examination of existing laws, regulations
and institutions involved in control of adverse water quality
impacts from current mining and mineral industry operations,
o Select one or more institutions to participate with the 208 Agency
in carrying out concurrent planning/implementation efforts for
control of current mining nonpoint sources of pollution,
o Objectively evaluate the effectiveness in prevention of nonpoint
pollution from current mining of existing laws, rules and regulations,
institutional arrangements, and administrative and management
functions which constitute the present mining regulatory control
system.
o Formally recognize a select few of the most effective regulatory
system control elements as a part of an interim "Best Manage-
ment Practices" control system for immediate implementation,
o Analyse surface water and ground water hydrology of repre-
sentative mine site configurations which correspond to previously
identified nonpoint source pollution problem mine site subcategories,
o Identify technical control methods, measures, procedures,
practices and techniques for control of identified nonpoint
source problems.
Interrelationships among different mine site conditions,
mineral commodities and mining methods, types of
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H-55-
pollutants and various control methods should be
well understood.
o Solicit involvement from the minerals industry in proposal
of nonpoint source control methods and measures and in
estimation of costs and readiness for practical application.
o Classify proposed control methods and measures on the basis
of their readiness and suitability for practical field application.
o Perform selective monitoring of current mineral industry
operations sites on a limited scale to support judgements
of the applicability of specific control methods and measures.
o Develop pollution control strategies for application to each
1/
recognized current (and future J~ mining nonpoint source
problem subcategory.
o Estimate the effectiveness of the various control methods,
measures and strategies for prevention, reduction or
1/
elimination of the identified current (and future) nonpoint
source pollution problems,
o Identify regulatory system deficiencies and technical control
limitations.
Deficiencies in the regulatory system include all presently
unregulated problem subcategories, inadequately regulated
subcategories, and areas where existing authority is
not sufficient to permit application of proposed control
strategies. Limitations to technical control include those
nonpoint pollution problems for which control techniques
208 nonpoint source water pollution control planning/implementation
for new mining is discussed in Chapter 4.
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11-56-
either do not exist, are not ready for practical application
or are not sufficiently effective to adequately control the
problem. Mining pollution control research emphasis should
be focused on identified technical control problem areas.
o Formulate alternative mining subcategory subplans for control
If
of current (and future ) mining n on point pollution sources.
Several standard control system configurations should be described.
These descriptions should aid subsequent efforts to develop practicable sub-
plans and to select and recommend an effective control system. Any
standard system which is likely to serve a useful purpose as a point of
reference for subplan comparison could be chosen for description.
At least three different control system variations might serve well as
comparative reference standards. These include: (1) the "existing1'
regulatory control system; (2) a "technology performance limited" system in-
corporating the "Best Control Technology Currently Available" or ' BCTCA' ;
(3) and a "fully effective" control system which introduces land use controls
as a means to prevent pollution from inadequately controllable and presently
uncontrollable current mining nonpoint source pollution problems. Land use
requirements represent a control alternative which is primarily applicable to
new mining and future expansion of current mining.
Description of the "existing" system should focus on uncontrolled and
inadequately controlled nonpoint source pollution problems character-
istic of operation of that system as it is presently constituted.
Description of an improved system limited only by the present state
of field application of technology should focus on the improved effective-
ness of controls over nonpoint problems which could be achieved through
application of the "Best Control Technology Currently Available". As
y Ibid.
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11-57-
a part of this system description, an evaluation should be made to
determine which among current problems are technically controllable,
and which are inadequately controllable or uncontrollable through
application of the "BCTCA". The economic consequences of "BCTCA"
application may also be estimated. Any such Economic analysis should
deal with the specific concerns of those State and local institutions,
mining industrial sectors and interest groups who would be most directly
affected by "BCTCA" application.
Description of a ''fully effective" control system should focus on
identification of "land use requirements" deemed necessary to prevent
new mining nonpoint source pollution where application of the "BCTCA"
will not be adequate to insure attainment of national goal water uses
and water use standards.
The environmental impact assessments of control subplans should
concentrate on those few areas most likely to be of greatest influence
in the sub plan selection process. In most instances, the water quality
implications, as related to achievement of national goal water uses,
and the economic consequences of subplan implementation will be the
key impact factors.
Land use requirements may relate to:
(1) prohibition of specific mining and mineral industrial
operations with periodic review requirements (abolition of
mining).
(2) designation of areas as unsuitable for specific mining and
mineral industrial operations with periodic review require-
ments.
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H-58-
(3) individual mining permit denial procedures or selective
mining;
(4) treatment of some forms of mining which cause inadequately
controllable water pollution as a temporary land use, with
requirements for nonpolluting post-mining land uses;
(5) local zoning requirements restricting mining-related land uses.
Analysis of the economic implications of land use requirements
should focus on mineral industry production losses and secondary
economic dislocations likely to be caused by removal of some portion
of known mineral reserves from current production.
Eventual review of 208 Mining Nonpoint Source Control Subplans by
EPA's Regional Administrators will include general consideration for any
water quality impacts from increased production in other areas of the
country which would be likely to follow from any proposed removal
of mineral reserves from current production through land use requirements
in any single State or individual designated areawide planning jurisdiction.
Where control systems involving application of "BCTCA1 , or "BCTCA"
with supplementary land use requirements, are determined not to be
practicable, at least one or more compromise mining control subplan
alternatives will have to be prepared. Any such compromise subplan
must be judged sufficiently workable for the 208 Agency to be reasonably
confident of its full implementation at the State or local level. The
subplan description should identify the specific nonpoint source problems
which may be inadequately controllable or uncontrollable; it should describe
possible violations of water quality standards and resultant interference
with national goal water uses. As stated earlier in Section 2. 0, established
procedures must be followed to seek to downgrade existing designated
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11-59-
uses, or to otherwise seek exception to designation of national goal
water use standards in any water quality limited segment because of
current mine (and future new mine) nonpoint source pollution load
contributions.
o Select a current mining nonpoint source control subplan.
The selected control subplan for mining nonpoint sources
should represent the most effective regulatory control
system for prevention of nonpoint pollution judged capable
of implementation at either the State or the local level.
The chosen system will reflect the "Best Control Technology
Currently Available", supported by land use requirements
as needed, and tempored by demonstratable State and /or
local social and economic constraints,
o Evaluate the social, the broader environmental and the
economic impacts of the selected current mining nonpoint
source control system.
The water quality and the economic implications of the
selected control subplan will have been determined earlier
in the subplan preparation process. A fully complete EIS
should be prepared for the selected subplan. This effort
will involve some expansion of water quality and economic
aspects as well as assessment of broader environmental
(aesthetic, air, noise, terrestrial ecology, etc. ) and social
(development, energy, etc. ) impacts.
The selected mining control subplan, with both its current and its
new mining aspects (new mining is discussed in Chapter 4) will be
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n-60-
submitted through established administrative channels to the EPA
Regional Administrator for review and approval.
3. 8 IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROLS AND A CONTINUING WASTE
TREATMENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS
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 likely
to be in active operation well into future years. The extent to which
inactive, but not yet abandoned operations would be included in the control
program would have been determined earlier in the subplan deve lop me nt
process. Definitions of and distinctions between current and new operations,
and applicability of differing levels of control to each should be set forth
in the selected control subplan description. Following formal imple-
mentation of current control provisions of the subplan, continuing water
quality management planning process and regulatory system functions
related to on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of preventative
measures being achieved in the field would be initiated. Water quality
planning processes would be integrated with other premining planning
operations. Procedures for direction of research effort toward identified
problem areas would be set in motion.
New operations control system provisions would be implemented,
(see Chapter 4), ongoing mining research and demonstration practices
evaluation would be performed, and implementation of the every changing
"Best Control Technology Currently Available" would be required as
advanced and more effective techniques are conceived, tested, developed
and demonstrated to be ready for practical application.
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11-61-
. SELECTED REFERENCES
1. West Virginia Department of Nation Resources,
"Modeling of Acid Mine Drainage and Other Pollutants in the
Monongahela River Basin Under Low Flow Conditions" 159 pp. June 1976.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development
"Environmental Protection in Surface Mining of Coal". EPA 670//2-74-093.
October 1973.
3. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"Draft Guidelines for State and Areawide Water Quality Management
Program Development". February 1976.
4. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Technology Transfer.
"Erosion and Sediment Control, Surface Mining in the Eastern U.S.
Two Volumes. October 1976.
5. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory. "Monitoring Groundwater Quality: Monitoring
Methodology". EPA 600/4-76-026. June 1976.
6. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines.
"Land Utilization and Reclamation in the Mining Industry, 1930-71".
Information Circular 8642. 1974.
7. Appalachian Regional Commission. "Acid Mine Drainage in Appalachia:
Summary". 1969.
8. 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.
9. Mathematica Inc. and Ford, Bucon & Davis, Inc. "Design of Surface
Mining Systems in Eastern Kentucky". ARC-71-66-T1. January 1974.
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H-62-
10. U. S. D. A., Soil Conservation Service. "Procedure for Computing
Sheet and Rill Erosion on Project Areas", Technical Release No, 51.
September 1972.
11. U. S. D.A., Agricultural Research Service. "Predicting Rainfall-
Erosion Losses from Cropland East of the Rocky Mountains".
Agriculture Handbook No. 282. May 1965.
12. U.S. Department of Commerce. "Climates of the United States1',
by John L. Baldwin. December 1974.
13. Center for Science in the Public Interest. "Enforcement of Strip
Mining Laws". CSPI Energy Series VIII. 1975 (January 1976).
14. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Planning Division.
"State Continuing Planning Process Handbook". December 1975.
15. Stanford Research Institute. "A Study of Surface Coal Mining in
West Virginia". February 1972.
16. L. Robert Kimball Consulting Engineers. "Surface Mine Water
Quality Control in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields1'. ARC-71-66-T5.
March 1974.
17. U.S. Geological Survey. "A Guide to State Programs for the
Reclamation of Surface Mined Areas". Circular 7 31. 1976.
18. 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.
19. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program
Operations. "Processes, Procedures, and Methods to Control
Pollution From Mining Activities". EPA-430/9-73-Oil. October 197 3.
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H-63-
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning
& Standards. "Inactive and Abandoned Underground Mines - Water
Pollution Prevention and Control". EPA 440/9-75-007. June 1975.
23. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &
Standards. "Development Document for Interim Final Effluent
Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for
the COAL MINING Point Source Category". EPA 4401/1-75-057,
Group II. October 1975.
24. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planning &
Standards. "Development Document for 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.
25. Federal Register, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Mineral
Mining and Processing Point Source Category Effluent Guidelines and
Standards". Part 436. October 16, 1975.
26. Environmental Protection Agency. "Water Quality Control in Mine
Spoils - Upper Colorado River Basin". EPA 670/2-75-048. June 1975,
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11-64-
27. Environmental Protection Agency. "Effects of Surface Configuration
on Water Pollution Control on Semiarid Mine Lands". Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station, Interim EPA Project Report.
February 1976.
28. 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.
29. Environmental Protection Agency. "Polluted Ground Water - Some Causes,
Effects, Controls, and Monitoring". EPA 600/4-73-001b. July 1973.
30. Mohan K. Waif (Editor)- "Practices and Problems of Land Reclamation
in Western North America". University of North Dakota Press, Grand
Forks. 1975.
31. National Academy of Sciences. "Rehabilitation Potential of Western
Coal Lands". 1974.
32. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. "Economic Engineering
Analysis of U.S. Surface Coal Mines and Effective Land Reclamation".
Contract #S0241049. February 1975.
33. Robert B. Scott. "Sealing of Coal Refuse Piles" EPA Crown, West
Virginia, July 197 3.
34. Environmental Protection Agency. "Control of Mine Drainage from
Coal Mine Mineral Wastes". EPA-14010 DDH, August 1971.
35. Environmental Protection Agency. "Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment
Control Planning and Implementation". EPA-R2-72-015. 1972.
36. Environmental Protection Agency. "Underground Coal Mining Methods
to Abate Water Pollution". EPA-14010 FKK. December 1970.
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WH 554
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Water Planning Division
401 M St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA 335
Special Fourth-Class Rate
Book
Official Business
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PRCfl*-0
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