Indiana Administrative Code
Title 312 - NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Article 25 - COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS
Rule 6 - Performance Standards
Section 6-12 - Hydrologic balance; general requirements
Current through March 20, 2024
Authority: IC 14-34-2-1
Affected: IC 14-34
Sec. 12.
(a) Surface mining activities shall be planned and conducted to minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance in both the permit area and adjacent areas, to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area, in order to prevent long term adverse changes in that balance which could result from those activities.
(b) Changes in water quality and quantity, in the depth to ground water, and in 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) In no case shall federal and Indiana water quality statutes, regulations, rules, standards, or effluent limitations be violated.
(d) Operations shall be conducted to minimize water pollution. If necessary, treatment methods shall be used to control water pollution.
(e) Each person who conducts surface mining activities shall emphasize mining and reclamation practices that prevent or minimize water pollution. Changes in flow of drainage shall be used in preference to the use of water treatment facilities.
(f) Acceptable practices to control and minimize water pollution include the following:
(g) If the practices listed in subsection (f) are not adequate to meet the requirements of sections 5 through 11 of this rule, this section, and sections 13 through 68 of this rule, the person who conducts surface mining activities shall operate and maintain the necessary water treatment facilities for as long as treatment is required under sections 5 through 11 of this rule, this section, and sections 13 through 68 of this rule.