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Module 26: REMINING OF AREAS WITH PREEXISTING
POLLUTIONAL DISCHARGES
26.1
Abandoned Mine Lands
a)
Total acres of abandoned surface mine land located within the proposed
Surface Mining Permit boundaries.
b)
Total acres of abandoned surface mine land to be reaffected by the proposed
remining operation.
c)
Total acres of abandoned underground mines located within the proposed
Surface Mining Permit boundaries.
(If abandoned underground mines occur on more than one coal seam, identify
the acreage by coal seam.)
d)
Total acres of abandoned underground mines to be reaffected or daylighted by
the proposed remining operation.
(if abandoned underground mines occur on more than one coal seam, identify
the acreage to be mined by coal seam.)
e)
Total lineal feet of abandoned highwall within the proposed SMP boundaries.
f)
Total lineal feet of abandoned highwall to be eliminated by remining operation.
26.2 Abandoned Mine Drainage.
a)
Total number of preexisting pollutions [discharges occurring on areas located
within or hydrologically connected to the Surface Mining Permit Area and the
Pollution Abatement Area which will be affected by the proposed remining
operation.
b)
Total acres draining to the pre-existing pollutional discharges).
26.3 Eligibility Requirements.
Does the surface mine operator, company officer, principal shareholder, agent,
partner, associate, parent corporation, contractor, subcontractor, or related party as
defined in 25 PA Code §86.1 have any of the following?
1)
2)
Legal responsibility or liability as an operator for treating the water pollution
discharges from or on the proposed pollution abatement area? (i.e., pre-existing
pollutional discharges included in 26.2).
Yes
No
Statutory responsibility or liability for reclaiming the proposed pollution
abatement area? (i.e., abandoned surface and underground mines included in
26.1)
Yes
No
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26.4 Remining Map
Provide a map or plan that includes the permit area and the area within 1,000 feet of the permit area and
shows the boundaries of the pollution abatement area. The pollution abatement area is the part of the permit
area which is causing or contributing to the baseline pollution load, including areas which must be affected to
implement the pollution abatement plan. The map or plan shall be clear, accurate, easily read and on a scale
of no smaller than 1 inch = 400 feet. Maps on the scale of 1 inch = 200 feet for permit areas of 1 00 acres or
less and 1 inch = 400 feet for permit areas larger than 1 00 acres are preferred. Use the same scale as used
for Exhibits 6.2, 9 and 18. Identify the map or plan as Exhibit 26.4 Remining Map. Each map or plan must
bear the seal or facsimile imprint of a registered professional engineer or a registered professional land
surveyor. For items d), f) and g), show the barrier areas (within the permit area and any barriers adjacent to
the permit area which extend into the permit area) for the features as established by Section 86.102
regulations (e.g., 300 feet to occupied dwelling). Show all the following information within the permit area and
for a distance of 1,000 feet from the permit area, unless specified otherwise. Indicate which items are present
by placing a check mark in the box before the item.
Note: The applicant has the option of including items, c, h, i, j, k, r and t on Exhibit 9 (Operations Map)
and not submitting Module 26.4, provided that all of the required information can be easily read.
a)
topographic contours (contour interval of 20 feet or less)
b)
proposed permit area
c)
limits of proposed pollution abatement area
d)
all surface water bodies such as streams, lakes, ponds, springs, wetlands, mine discharges and
constructed or natural drains (include barrier areas, and names of streams and lakes) use a unique
label for each unnamed tributary
e)
property lines (key ownership to Module 5)
f)
all buildings (include current use and barrier areas)
g)
all man made features such as roads, utilities including utility lines, and other man-made features
(include names and barrier areas)
h)
location and identification of all preexisting discharges for which Subchapter G authorization is being
requested, proposed Subchapter G sampling and monitoring points, and all other monitoring points
i)
where numerous discharges are to be collected or aggregated for monitoring purposes, delineate
applicable hydrologic unit boundaries (discrete groundwater recharge areas or discharge zones)
j)
existing or previously surface mined areas, existing highwalls; existing structures and existing areas of
refuse, spoil, waste, and coal processing waste disposal
k)
the full areal extent of active and abandoned underground mines if mining above or through; clearly
showing all openings to the mine, all underground mine areas to be daylighted
l)
crop lines and final highwall limit for each coal seam to be mined
m) phases of mining (indicate sequence)
n)
spoil storage areas
o)
haul roads (outside of area being mined)
p)
coal refuse and acid and toxic-forming material disposal areas
q)
area proposed to be auger mined
r)
all areas of special mining or abatement practices including alkaline addition, special handling of toxic
or acid-forming strata, and any other techniques identified in the abatement plan (Module 26.6)
s)
water treatment facilities (Module 13)
t)
auxiliary water treatment facilities for preexisting pollutional discharges which will not be encountered
during active mining operations.
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26.5 Baseline Pollution Load
a)
Provide a description of each preexisting pollutional discharge included in 26.2, and report on Module
26.5(A). Include latitude and longitude in the description of the discharge location. Determine whether the
discharge is point source or non-point source (a point source discharge is . any discernible, confined and
discrete conveyance including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete
fissure", etc.; whereas a diffuse seepage zone is a non-point source). The determination of whether the
discharge will be physically encountered by mining equipment during active mining operations or remain
not encountered must be consistent with the mining plan and abatement plan shown on Modules 9 and
26.4. If the discharge currently flows to or combines with other discharges, or if the discharge will be
combined with or collected with (e.g., by a trench or channel) other discharges prior to or during mining
and reclamation, indicate (by monitoring point number) which other discharges) it will be combined with
on Module 26.5(A).
b)
Provide a detailed description of the water quality and quantity monitoring program used to establish the
baseline pollution load. Include a description of the flow measuring device(s) used and method(s) used to
calculate flow rate for the discharges shown on Module 26.5(B). The water quality and quantity monitoring
program shall be continued on a monthly basis, or more frequently, while the application is in process until
a sufficient number of samples have been collected to provide a stable statistical estimate of the baseline
pollution load. Complete Module 26.5(B) and cross reference samples used in pollution load calculations
to water sample analyses in Module8.1(A). (Module26.5(B) must be updated prior to permit issuance.)
c)
Provide a summary of the baseline pollution load data including the effects of seasonal variations,
variations in response to precipitation events, and modeled baseline pollution load data, where
appropriate. Complete Module 26.5(C) to document the statistical summary of the baseline pollution load.
Specify the number of samples and the starting and ending dates of samples used in computing the
statistical summary. Identify any spurious samples shown on Module 26.5(B) or Module 8.1 (A), which
were excluded from the statistical computation shown on Module 26.5(C), and explain the basis for
determining that the samples are spurious. (Module 26.5(C) must be updated prior to permit issuance.)
26.6 Abatement Plan
Note: Modules 26.6, 26.8, 26.8A, 26.9 and 26.10 do not need to be completed if the abatement plan meets
any of the following criteria for Best Technology Abatement Plans (No Economic Analysis Required):
1.
Over 30% of the entire affected area of the permit is composed of unregraded or unvegetated spoils
which will be regraded and revegetated.
2.
Completed daylighting of underground mine workings which underlie at least 20% of the area to be
affected or partial daylighting on at least 30% of the area to be affected.
3.
Any combination of regrading and revegetation of unreclaimed spoil and daylighting which covers at
least 30% of the area to be affected.
4.
Importation of alkaline materials at a rate which exceeds the quantitative alkaline addition requirements
specified in the alkaline addition technical guidance by at least 300 tons/acre CaCO 3 equivalent over
the entire area to be affected.
5.
Elimination of at least 1,000 feet of abandoned highwall per 100 acres affected.
6.
Construction of appropriately sized and designed passive treatment devices on pre-existing discharges.
a)
Provide a detailed description of the proposed abatement plan representing best management
practices. Include plans, cross-sections and schematic drawings keyed to Exhibit 26.4. Indicate
on the checklist below, which best management practices are to be employed:
Note: The abatement plan is an individual technique or combination of techniques, the
implementation of which will result in reduction of the baseline pollution load. A demonstration
must be made that the proposed abatement plan will result in significant reduction of the
baseline pollution load and represents best technology. Abatement techniques which constitute
best management practices (BMPs) include but are not limited to: regrading abandoned mine
spoils, daylighting abandoned underground mines, special plans for managing toxic and acidforming material, addition of alkaline material, hydrologic control measures, and revegetation
and stabilization of abandoned mine lands. The technical soundness of the BMPs and
associated costs in abating or ameliorating to the maximum extent possible pollutional
discharges from or on the pollution abatement area are the most critical elements of the best
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professional judgment analysis, in which abatement and treatment techniques and costs are
evaluated to determine effluent limitations for the pre-existing pollutional discharges.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
IMPLEMENTATION COST
(1)
regrading of abandoned mine spoil/highwalls
(2)
daylighting of abandoned underground mines
(3)
special handling of acid forming materials
(4)
addition of alkaline material
(5)
hydrologic control measures (e.g., diversions, seals,
underdrains, etc.)
(6)
revegetation of abandoned mine lands
(7)
application of sewage sludge
(8)
other (specify)
TOTAL COST
(For items 1 through 8 above, the costs cannot include actual mining costs which would be incurred in
mining a similar site without abandoned mine lands.)
If item (1) above is checked, provide estimates of: (a) the total cubic yards of spoil to be regraded, (b) the
cost per cubic yard for regrading considering equipment, labor, operating costs, etc., (c) the percentage
by volume of the abandoned mine spoil existing within the Surface Mine Permit Area which will be
regraded and (d) an explanation of why any remaining percentage of abandoned mine spoil is not
proposed to be regraded as part of the abatement plan. (Areas to be regraded must be clearly delineated
on Exhibit 26.4.)
If item (2) above is checked, indicate whether the proposed daylighting is complete or partial and provide
an explanation of the facts or assumptions (e.g., ratio of solid coal to mine voids used in computing
mineable reserves, coal thickness, coal quality, etc.) used to determine the economic feasibility of the
proposed extent of daylighting. (Areas to be daylighted must be clearly shown on Exhibit 26.4.)
If item (4) above is checked, provide a justification for the amounts of alkaline material to be added during
mining and reclamation, including reference to overburden analysis data used to define potentially acidic
and potentially alkaline material to be added (i.e., neutralization potential and particle size data), and
associated calculations of the volume of alkaline material needed to neutralize or inhibit acid mine
drainage.
b)
Provide detailed calculations including materials costs and handling costs for each step of the abatement
procedure, exclusive of actual mining costs which would be incurred for a similar site.
c)
What is the anticipated pollution reduction benefit resulting from implementation of the abatement plan?
Consider impacts on discharge quality and quantity. Provide detailed documentation and cite references
where applicable.
(1)
What will be the quantitative impacts on surface water infiltration, evapotranspiration and recharge to
the discharges; effect on flow rates?
(2) What impact is predicted on water quality and what supporting data are available?
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MODULE 26.5(A)
PRE-EXISTING POLLUTIONAL DISCHARGE INVENTORY
Sample
Point No.
Location Description
Latitude
Longitude
Point/
Non-Point
Encountered/
Not
Encountered
Hydrologic
Unit1
Relationship
to Other
Discharges2
Flow
Path3
Comments
1
Hydrologic units may be defined in cases where two or more discharges occur with a hydrologically discrete ground water flow system. If no hydrologic unit is
defined, leave blank.
2
Use the following codes: NC = discharge does not combine with other discharges, CN = discharge naturally combines/coalesces with other discharges, CM =
discharge is presently combined with other discharges by man-made control (ditch, culvert, etc.), CP – discharge will be combined with other discharges
following permit issuance.
3
Indicate flow to surface water (SW) or flow to ground water or mine pool (GW).
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MODULE 26.5(B)
BASELINE POLLUTION LOAD
1
Monitoring Station I.D.
Description
Will discharge be encountered during
active mining operations?
Flow Measuring Device
2Equation
Date
Yes
No
or Method to Calculate Flow:
Flow (GPM)
Acidity
Load
____
Fe Load
Mn Load
Al Load
SO4 Load
____
Note: All load values to be reported in pounds per day (concentration in mg/l x
flow in gallons/minute x 0.01202 = load in lbs./day.
Notes:
1 All sample analysis results must be included in Module 8.1(A).
2 For weir, specify type, flow equation and measuring point; for stream, include rating curve where applicable; for culverts,
include equation and reference.
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MODULE 26.5(C)
BASELINE POLLUTION LOAD SUMMARY
Monitoring Station I.D.
LOADING IN LBS./DAY
NUMBER OF SAMPLES (N) =
ALL SAMPLES FROM
1.
Range
ACIDITY
IRON
MANGANESE
ALUMINUM
SULFATE
low
high
2.
Median
3.
Quartiles
low
high
4.
Appx. 95% Confidence Limits
low
(Based upon ‘C-Spread’/32nds)
high
5.
95% Confidence Intervals
low
*
About Median
high
*Note: Confidence Intervals about median calculated M1.96 (1.25 R/1.35N) where M = Median, R = Range between Quartiles, N = Number of Samples (From:
McGill, R., Tukey, J.W., and Larsen, Q.A. (1978) The American Statistician, Vol. 32, No. 1, p. 16)
Note:
Alternative statistical parameters may be used in place of items 1 through 5 above to summarize the baseline pollution load, providing that the applicant
demonstrates that the alternative parameters are statistically valid and applicable.
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MODULE 26.8(A)
TREATMENT COSTS SCHEDULE
Treatment Facility I. D.:
(Treatable Unit)
Discharges to be Treated (Key to
Exhibit 26.1 and Module 26.2(a):
Mean Daily Flow (MGD):
Average Acidity Load (Lbs/Day);
I.
Average Iron Load (Lbs/Day):
FACILITY AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS: For new facilities needed in addition to treatment ponds associated
with surface mining operation. Include appropriate plans with dimensions, capacities and equipment to be used.
A)
Treatment Ponds: (minimum of two basins in series with a minimum 6-hour detention time for each basin
and sufficient capacity for sludge storage).
total pond capacity
total sludge storage capacity
total detention time
estimated cost for pond construction :
B)
Facilities and Equipment: List any equipment to be used in treatment
(tanks, mixers, dispensers, aerators, chemical feeders, etc.) and itemize cost.
TOTAL FACILITY AND CONSTRUCTION COST
II.
TREATMENT REAGENT COSTS:
Treatment Reagent(s) to be used:
Cost Per Pound and Source:
Efficiency %
Reagent Purity %
LBS Reagent Per Day Required for Treatment*
Reagent Cost Per Year (LBS/DAY x COST x 365)
* ReagentLBS / DAY  StoichiometricEquivalence x LBS / DAY Acidity x
Ill.
1
1
x
Purity Factor EfficiencyFactor
ANNUAL OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS: Operating costs include labor for operators,
maintenance costs for ponds and equipment, sludge removal and disposal costs and power costs. Provide
detailed cost calculations where applicable or cite data source.
A)
Annual labor (man-years)
@
/man-year
B)
Pond and Equipment Maint. (attach supplemental data if needed)
C)
Total annual sludge disposal costs:
D)
Electricity: Kilowatt Hours
@ Unit Cost
Total
Total Annual Operating and Maint. Cost
IV.
TOTAL COST CALCULATION:
5-Year
Facility and Construction
Treatment Reagent
Operations and Maintenance
TOTAL
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26.7 Revegetation: Provide land use and reclamation information relevant to the pollution abatement area in
Modules 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (where applicable) and 23. Identify the standard of success for revegetation of the
pollution abatement area which will be achieved and the basis upon which the standard is established (refer to
25 PA Code §88.505. Indicate if more than one standard is to be achieved at different areas.
26.8 Treatment Costs: Calculate the costs of treatment of discharges identified in Module 26.5(A) to the effluent
standards set forth in 25 PA Code §§88.92 and 88.187. Where it is feasible to route two or more discharges to
a single treatment facility, the individual discharges should be combined as a 'treatable unit' with the treatment
costs calculated accordingly. Consider short term treatment cost (i.e., 5 years or less) and long term treatment
costs (i.e., 50 years or greater). For each individual treatment facility, include a schedule 26.8(A). In some
cases, it may be possible to use treatment facilities designed for active mining area (Module 13.1) for treatment
of preexisting discharges, provided that the design capacity is adequate. In cases where auxiliary treatment
facilities would be required to provide treatment of preexisting discharges, include an auxiliary treatment plan
with appropriate designs, dimensions and capacities. Actual construction of facilities and implementation of
treatment plans may be required on a contingency basis only, depending on the Department's Best
Professional Judgment (BPJ) analysis.
26.9 Coal Production: For each seam, calculate the total tonnage of coal to be mined within the permit area.
Unless site-specific data are available, a unit coal weight of 1,800 tons/acre-foot should be used.
Coal Seam
Acreage To
Be Mined
Avg.
Thickness
% Recovery*
Acre-Feet
Tonnage
TOTAL:
* For deep mine daylighting or other areas without full reserve, the % of coal remaining corrected for pit
losses must be used. Where deep mined and unmined areas exist on the same seam, calculate separately.
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Remining Cost Summary
a)
b)
Determine the following costs from information provided in Modules 26.6 and 26.8.
(1)
Cost per ton of coal mined to implement the abatement plan.
(2)
Cost per ton of coal mined to implement the treatment plan for the
preexisting pollution discharges (50 year basis).
(3)
Combined cost per ton of coal mined to implement the abatement plan
and the treatment plan (1 + 2).
Based upon the information provided in item 26.10a and any other engineering and economic
information relevant to the proposed remining operation, determine the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Is the proposed remining operation economically feasible if the
treatment plan is implemented at the commencement of mining, and the
abatement plan is implemented as proposed?
Yes
No
Is the proposed remining operation economically feasible if the
treatment plan is implemented at the commencement of mining, and the
abatement plan is deleted from the remining proposal or reduced in
scope and cost?
Yes
No
Is the proposed remining operating economically feasible if the
abatement plan is implemented as proposed, and the treatment plan is
reduced in scope and cost?
Yes
No
If NO is checked in item (1), (2) or (3) above, provide an explanation of factors considered in determining
that the remining operation is not economically feasible.
c)
List and describe any unique factors pertaining to the proposed remining operation which could
potentially enhance or impede the implementation of the abatement plan and/or the treatment plan.
Provide an explanation of the cost effect of these factors upon the proposed remining operation.
d)
List and describe any adverse or beneficial non-water quality environmental impacts which potentially
will result from the proposed remining operation. Provide an explanation of any cost effects associated
with these impacts.
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