Section 87.101. Hydrologic balance: general requirements

(a) Surface mining activities shall be planned and conducted to minimize disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance in the permit and adjacent areas and to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. The Department may require additional preventative, remedial or monitoring measures to assure that material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area is prevented.

(b) Changes in water quality and quantity, the depth of groundwater, and the location of surface water drainage channels shall be minimized so that the approved postmining land use of the permit area is not adversely affected.

(c) The treatment requirements and effluent limitations established under § 87.102 (relating to hydrologic balance: effluent standards) may not be violated.

(d) Each person who conducts surface mining activities shall conduct the mining and reclamation operation to prevent water pollution and, when necessary, operate and maintain the necessary water treatment facilities until applicable treatment requirements and effluent limitations established under § 87.102 are achieved and maintained.

(e) Surface mining activities shall be planned and conducted to prevent to the maximum extent practical the accumulation of water in the pit. Pit water shall be collected and pumped to approved water treatment facilities. Pit water may not be discharged from the surface mining operation by gravity drains.

The provisions of this § 87.101 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended 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 May 1, 1992, effective May 2, 1992, 22 Pa. B. 2332; corrected June 25, 1993, effective May 2, 1992, 23 Pa.B. 2996; amended May 8, 1998, effective May 9, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2227. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (237155) to (237156).