Indiana Administrative Code
Title 312 - NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Article 25 - COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS
Rule 6 - Performance Standards
Section 6-86 - Underground mining; hydrologic balance; surface and ground water monitoring

(1) Ground water levels, and the quality of ground water, shall be monitored through bond release in a manner approved by the director according to the requirements of 312 IAC 25-4-72 to determine the effects of mining activities on the recharge capacity of reclaimed lands and the quantity and quality of water in ground water systems in the permit and adjacent areas.

(2) When mining activities may affect the ground water systems that serve as aquifers which significantly ensure the hydrologic balance of water use on or off the permit area, ground water levels and ground water quality shall be periodically monitored according to the requirements of 312 IAC 25-4-72. Monitoring shall include measurements from a sufficient number of wells and the mineralogical and chemical analyses of aquifer, overburden, and spoil that are adequate to reflect changes in ground water quantity and quality resulting from those activities. Monitoring shall be adequate to plan for modification of mining activities, if necessary, to minimize disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance.

(3) The director may require additional tests and shall require the reporting of the results of these tests to demonstrate compliance with section 85 of this rule and this section.

(4) If the analysis of a ground water sample indicates noncompliance with a permit condition, the permittee must do the following:

(5) If the director determines that the permit area and adjacent area do not contain significant ground water resources, the director shall waive or otherwise modify the monitoring requirements of this subsection.

(1) Surface water monitoring, reporting, and record keeping shall be conducted through bond release, in accordance with the provisions of 312 IAC 25-4-73 and as specified in the effective National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

(2) Copies of the monitoring reports and any noncompliance notifications shall be provided to the director concurrently with the submissions to the NPDES permit authority.

(3) Equipment, structures, and other devices necessary to measure and sample accurately the quality and quantity of surface water discharges from the disturbed area shall be properly installed, maintained, and operated and shall be removed when no longer required.

(4) If the analysis of a surface water sample indicates noncompliance with any permit terms or conditions, the permittee must do the following:

(5) In order to protect the hydrologic balance, underground mining activities shall be conducted according to the plan approved under 312 IAC 25-4-85(b) and the following:

(6) Surface water quality and flow rates shall be protected by handling earth materials and run-off in accordance with the steps outlined in the plan approved under 312 IAC 25-4-85(b).