Current through Register No. 13, March 27, 2025
(a) The
conceptual hydrologic model of the withdrawal required by Env-Wq 403.06(a)(5)
shall:
(1) Be developed by a qualified
professional;
(2) Identify the
sources of information used to develop the model; and
(3) Be prepared as specified in (b) through
(k), below.
(b) The
conceptual hydrologic model shall be based on information including but not
limited to:
(1) A summary of the results of
any hydrogeologic investigations conducted on site to date;
(2) Historical water level data;
(3) Department records for existing water
users and resources including testing and production reports, as
available;
(4) Published reports
and maps;
(5) Natural Resource
Conservation Service maps, as applicable;
(6) Hydrogeologic mapping information such as
surficial material, lineament, and bedrock or other remote sensing analysis;
and
(7) Geophysical data, if
available.
(c) Where
historical environmental data is used to develop the conceptual hydrologic
model, such data shall be adjusted to account for any major land use changes
that have occurred.
(d) As required
by RSA 485-C:21 (a) and (b), V-e, the conceptual hydrologic model pumping
conditions shall be based on the assumption of 180 days of continuous operation
of the withdrawal at maximum rates without direct recharge to groundwater from
rainfall or snowmelt.
(e) The
conceptual hydrologic model shall include:
(1)
A description of the geology and geomorphologic history of the region including
the governing hydrogeologic characteristics of the bedrock and surficial
geologic formations, such as the chronology and mechanisms of origin and
change, grain size distribution, and bedrock fracture
characteristics;
(2) Generalized
geologic cross-sections through the region, including at least one through the
well or withdrawal site, based on available information such as well logs,
geologic reports, maps, and subsurface data; and
(3) Delineated extents of the potential
impact area and its components, and a description of how the delineated
potential impact area meets the requirements of
RSA
485-C:21, V-e.
(f) The conceptual hydrologic
model shall identify data needed to refine the model to complete the report
required by Env-Wq 403.20.
(g)
Where data gaps are identified during the development of the conceptual
hydrologic model, the model shall:
(1)
Identify the data gaps and their significance to understanding the potential
impacts of the proposed withdrawal; and
(2) Estimate the reasonably suspected
hydrologic scenario(s) associated with the withdrawal that could occur given
the known and unknown model parameters.
(h) The estimated extents of the potential
impact area and each of its components shall be presented on a map that:
(1) Is at a scale of 1:24,000 or 1:25,000, or
at a scale that gives greater detail;
(2) Has as its base a United States Geologic
Survey (USGS) topographic map or an original map depicting equivalent features
and information; and
(3) Shows a
map legend that includes a map title, date, scale, and north arrow.
(i) A description of the
hydrologic cycle and a water budget calculation for the potential impact area
shall be prepared that describes:
(1) The
amounts and timing of precipitation, runoff, storage, recharge, and
discharge;
(2) The distribution and
availability of water necessary to maintain natural resources, existing water
uses, and the proposed withdrawal; and
(3) The location and amounts of natural and
artificial loss of water, consumption, discharge, and recharge of water to and
from the potential impact area.
(j) A comprehensive description of the
groundwater flow regime for the potential impact area that describes hydraulic
boundaries, recharge characteristics, and the interaction of water bodies
associated with the withdrawal shall be prepared that includes:
(1) Hydrologic conditions at the water table,
in any confining or semi-confining layers of the overburden aquifer, and in the
bedrock;
(2) The occurrence of
groundwater flow both in horizontal and vertical directions, under average,
non-pumping, and conceptual hydrologic model-based operating
conditions;
(3) The magnitude and
direction of vertical and horizontal hydraulic gradients, under average,
non-pumping, and conceptual hydrologic model-based operating
conditions;
(4) Hydraulic
influences of regional groundwater flow from all aquifers and surface water
bodies, or other water resources in hydraulic communication with the proposed
withdrawal; and
(5) Preferential
groundwater flow pathways caused by the properties of the deposits or
bedrock.
(k) The
conceptual hydrologic model and the estimated extents of the potential impact
area shall be refined in accordance with Env-Wq 403.17 and presented in the
report required by Env-Wq 403.20 based on results from withdrawal testing
performed in accordance with Env-Wq 403.16.
(See Revision Note at part heading for Env-Wq 403) #9569,
eff 10-17-09
