§ 89.34. Hydrology.
(a) The operation plan shall contain premining or baseline hydrologic information representative of the proposed permit, adjacent and general areas.
(1) Groundwater information shall include:
(i) The results of a groundwater inventory of existing wells, springs and other groundwater resources, providing information on location, ownership, quality, quantity, depth to water and usage for the proposed permit area and adjacent area. Information on water availability, occurrence and alternative water supplies shall be emphasized and water-quality information relating to suitability for existing premining uses shall be provided. At a minimum, water quality descriptions shall include total dissolved solids or specific conductance corrected to 25°C, pH, total iron, total manganese, alkalinity, acidity and sulfates.
(ii) Other information on the baseline hydraulic and hydrogeologic properties of the groundwater system shall be included with the application. Information on indicator parameters, such as pumping test, lithologic and piezometer data or other appropriate information shall be provided in the application.
(iii) A groundwater monitoring plan under § 89.59 (relating to surface water and groundwater monitoring). The plan shall logically relate to the analysis of the baseline information and the prediction of the probable hydrologic consequences of mining and reclamation required by § 89.35 (relating to prediction of the hydrologic consequences). The plan shall identify monitoring locations and sampling frequency. Water availability, including water levels and yields, and approximate overallrecharge protection shall be emphasized. The plan shall provide for monitoring the minimum group of parameters in § 89.59, plus additional parameters that relate to the suitability of the groundwater for current and approved postming land uses, the protection of the hydrologic balance and locally potential problem causing conditions at or near the mine site.
(2) Surface water information shall include:
(i) A description of streams, valuable impoundments and alternative water supplies. The information shall include the name, location and qualitative and quantitative seasonal flow conditions. Water-quality descriptions, at a minimum, shall include base-line information on total suspended solids, total dissolved solids or specific conductance corrected to 25°C, pH, acidity, alkalinity, sulfates, total iron, total manganese and other locally significant water-quality characteristics. Base-line acidity information shall be provided if acid neutralization is anticipated for the proposed operation. The location of point source discharge and the name and location of the surface stream into which the point source will be discharged shall be provided. The Department may require additional hydrologic information if the predictive evaluation required by § 89.35 indicates that adverse, offsite impacts are likely to occur or, if the data are necessary to properly plan for remedial and reclamation activities.
(ii) A surface water monitoring plan under § 89.59. The plan shall logically relate to the analysis of baseline information and the prediction of the probable hydrologic consequences of mining and reclamation required by § 89.35. The plan shall identify monitoring locations and monitoring frequency. The plan shall emphasize low flows and high flows and their variable quality. The plan shall provide for monitoring the minimum group of parameters in § 89.59, plus additional parameters that relate to the suitability of the surface water for current and approved postmining land uses, the protection of the hydrologic balance and locally potential problem-causing conditions at or near the mine site. Special emphasis shall be given to accurately measuring and documenting the quality and quantity of water discharging from the permit area so that onsite damages can be minimized and offsite damages are prevented to the greatest extent possible.
(b) The Department may require hydrologic tests, including, but not limited to, drilling, infiltration, other aquifer tests and stream flow measurements. The results shall be submitted to the Department.
Authority The provisions of this § 89.34 amended under the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P. S. § § 1396.1—1396.19a); the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (52 P. S. § § 1406.1—1406.21); The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).
Source The provisions of this § 89.34 adopted July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended June 15, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3383, effective July 27, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 3316; amended December 15, 1995, effective December 16, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5821; amended June 12, 1998, effective June 13, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2761. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (239665) to (239668).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.81 (relating to program services); and 25 Pa. Code § 89.59 (relating to surface water and groundwater monitoring).
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