CCLME.ORG - 40 CFR PART 434—COAL MINING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY BPT BAT BCT LIMITATIONS AND NEW SOURCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

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United States Regulations
40 CFR PART 434—COAL MINING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY BPT, BAT, BCT LIMITATIONS AND NEW SOURCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

PART 434—COAL MINING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY BPT, BAT, BCT LIMITATIONS AND NEW SOURCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1311 1314(b), (c), (e), and (g), 1316(b) and (c), 1317(b) and (c), and 1361.

Source: 50 FR 41305, Oct. 9, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—General Provisions
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ง 434.10 Applicability.
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This part applies to discharges from any coal mine at which the extraction of coal is taking place or is planned to be undertaken and to coal preparation plants and associated areas.

ง 434.11 General definitions.
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(a) The term “acid or ferruginous mine drainage” means mine drainage which, before any treatment, either has a pH of less than 6.0 or a total iron concentration equal to or greater than 10 mg/l.

(b) The term “active mining area” means the area, on and beneath land, used or disturbed in activity related to the extraction, removal, or recovery of coal from its natural deposits. This term excludes coal preparation plants, coal preparation plant associated areas and post-mining areas.

(c) The term “alkaline, mine drainage” means mine drainage which, before any treatment, has a pH equal to or greater than 6.0 and total iron concentration of less than 10 mg/l.

(d) The term “bond release” means the time at which the appropriate regulatory authority returns a reclamation or performance bond based upon its determination that reclamation work (including, in the case of underground mines, mine sealing and abandonment procedures) has been satisfactorily completed.

(e) The term “coal preparation plant” means a facility where coal is subjected to cleaning, concentrating, or other processing or preparation in order to separate coal from its impurities and then is loaded for transit to a consuming facility.

(f) The term “coal preparation plant associated areas” means the coal preparation plant yards, immediate access roads, coal refuse piles and coal storage piles and facilities.

(g) The term “coal preparation plant water circuit” means all pipes, channels, basins, tanks, and all other structures and equipment that convey, contain, treat, or process any water that is used is coal preparation processes within a coal preparation plant.

(h) The term “mine drainage” means any drainage, and any water pumped or siphoned, from an active mining area or a post-mining area.

(i) The abbreviation “ml/l” means milliliters per liter.

(j)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, subject to paragraph (j)(2) of this section the term “new source coal mine” means a coal mine (excluding coal preparation plants and coal preparation plant associated areas) including an abandoned mine which is being re-mined.

(i) The construction of which is commenced after May 4, 1984; or

(ii) Which is determined by the EPA Regional Administrator to constitute a “major alteration”. In making this determination, the Regional Administrator shall take into account whether one or more of the following events resulting in a new, altered or increased discharge of pollutants has occurred after May 4, 1984 in connection with the mine for which the NPDES permit is being considered:

(A) Extraction of a coal seam not previously extracted by that mine;

(B) Discharge into a drainage area not previously affected by wastewater discharge from the mine;

(C) Extensive new surface disruption at the mining operation;

(D) A construction of a new shaft, slope, or drift; and

(E) Such other factors as the Regional Administrator deems relevant.

(2) No provision in this part shall be deemed to affect the classification as a new source of a facility which was classified as a new source coal mine under previous EPA regulations, but would not be classified as a new source under this section, as modified. Nor shall any provision in this part be deemed to affect the standards applicable to such facilities, except as provided in ง434.65 of this chapter.

(k) The term “post-mining area” means:

(1) A reclamation area or

(2) The underground workings of an underground coal mine after the extraction, removal, or recovery of coal from its natural deposit has ceased and prior to bond release.

(l) The term “reclamation area” means the surface area of a coal mine which has been returned to required contour and on which revegetation (specifically, seeding or planting) work has commenced.

(m) The term “settleable solids” is that matter measured by the volumetric method specified in ง434.64.

(n) The terms “1-year, 2-year, and 10-year, 24-hour precipitation events” means the maximum 24-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in one, two, and ten years respectively as defined by the National Weather Service and Technical Paper No. 40, “Rainfall Frequency Altas of the U.S.,” May 1961, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information developed therefrom.

(o) The terms “treatment facility” and “treatment system” mean all structures which contain, convey, and as necessay, chemically or physically treat coal rine drainage, coal preparation plant process wastewater, or drainage from coal preparation plant associated areas, which remove pollutants regulated by this part from such waters. This includes all pipes, channels, ponds, basins, tanks and all other equipment serving such structures.

(p) The term “coal refuse disposal pile” means any coal refuse deposited on the earth and intended as permanent dispoal or long-term storage (greater than 180 days) of such material, but does not include coal refuse deposited within the active mining area or coal refuse never removed from the active mining area.

(q) The term “controlled surface mine drainage” means any surface mine drainage that is pumped or siphoned from the active mining area.

(r) The term “abandoned mine” means a mine where mining operations have occurred in the past and

(1) The applicable reclamation bond or financial assurance has been released or forfeited or

(2) If no reclamation bond or other financial assurance has been posted, no mining operations have occurred for five years or more.

(s) The term “1-year, 24-hour precipitation event” means the maximum 24-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in one year as defined by the National Weather Service and Technical Paper No. 40, “Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S.,” May 1961, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information developed therefrom.

(t) The Term “2-year, 24-hour precipitation event” means the maximum 24-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in two years as defined by the National Weather Service and Technical Paper No. 40, “Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S., “May 1961, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information developed therefrom.

Subpart B—Coal Preparation Plants and Coal Preparation Plant Associated Areas
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ง 434.20 Applicability.
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The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges from coal preparation plants and coal preparation plant association areas, as indicated, including discharges which are pumped, siphoned, or drained from the coal preparation plant water circuit and coal storage, refuse storage, and ancillary areas related to the cleaning or beneficiation of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.

ง 434.21 [Reserved]
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ง 434.22 Effluent limitation guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).
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(a) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by any existing coal preparation plant and coal preparation plant associated areas subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best practicable control technology currently available if discharges from such point sources normally exhibit a pH of less than 6.0 prior to treatment:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily values
Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for for 30
any 1 day consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentratio
n in mg/l
---------------------------
Iron, total................................. 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total............................ 4.0 2.0
TSS......................................... 70 35
pH.......................................... \1\ \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

(b) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by any existing coal preparation plant and coal preparation plant associated areas subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best practicable control technology currently available if discharges from such point sources normally exhibit a pH equal to or greater than 6.0 prior to treatment:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily values
Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for for 30
any 1 day consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentratio
n in mg/l
---------------------------
Iron, total................................. 7.0 3.5
TSS......................................... 70 35
pH.......................................... \1\ \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

ง 434.23 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).
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(a) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by any existing coal preparation plant and coal preparation plant associated areas subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best available technology economically achievable if discharges from such point sources normally exhibit a pH of less than 6.0 prior to treatment:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by any existing coal preparation plant and coal preparation plant associated areas subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best available technology economically achievable if discharges from such point sources normally exhibit a pH equal to or greater than 6.0 prior to treatment:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

ง 434.24 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]
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ง 434.25 New source performance standards (NSPS).
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The following new source performance standards (NSPS) shall be achieved by any new source coal preparation plant and coal preparation plant associated areas, as indicated:

(a) Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall apply to discharges from new source coal preparation plants and new source coal preparation plant associated areas, if such discharges normally exhibit a pH of less than 6.0 prior to treatment:

NSPS Effluent Limitations (mg/l)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily values
Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for for 30
any 1 day consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron, total................................. 6.0 3.0
Manganese, total............................ 4.0 2.0
TSS......................................... 70 35
pH.......................................... (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 6.0-9.0 at all times.

(b) Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall apply to discharges from new source coal preparation plants and new source coal preparation plant associated areas, if such discharges normally exhibit a pH equal to or greater than 6.0 prior to treatment:

NSPS Effluent Limitations (mg/l)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily values
Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for for 30
any 1 day consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron, total................................. 6.0 3.0
TSS......................................... 70 35
pH.......................................... (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 6.0-9.0 at all times.

Subpart C—Acid or Ferruginous Mine Drainage
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ง 434.30 Applicability; description of the acid or ferruginous mine drainage subcategory.
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The provisions of this subpart are applicable to acid or ferruginous mine drainage from an active mining area resulting from the mining of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.

ง 434.31 [Reserved]
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ง 434.32 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best practicable control technology currently available:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

ง 434.33 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best available technology economically achievable:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

ง 434.34 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]
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ง 434.35 New source performance standards (NSPS).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall be achieved for any discharge from a new source subject to this subpart:

NSPS Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 6.0 3.0
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

Subpart D—Alkaline Mine Drainage
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ง 434.40 Applicability; description of the alkaline mine drainage subcategory.
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The provisions of this subpart are applicable to alkaline mine drainage from an active mining area resulting from the mining of coal of any rank including, but not limited to, bituminous, lignite, and anthracite.

ง 434.41 [Reserved]
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ง 434.42 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best practicable control technology currently available:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily values
Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for for 30
any 1 day consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentratio
n in mg/l
---------------------------
Iron, total................................. 7.0 3.5
TSS......................................... 70. 35.
pH.......................................... (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

ง 434.43 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subpart after application of the best available technology economically achievable:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

ง 434.44 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]
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ง 434.45 New source performance standards (NSPS).
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Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall be achieved for any discharge from a new source subject to this subpart:

NSPS Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 6.0 3.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

Subpart E—Post-Mining Areas
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ง 434.50 Applicability.
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The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges from post-mining areas, except as provided in subpart H—Western Alkaline Coal Mining of this part.

[67 FR 3406, Jan. 23, 2002]

ง 434.51 [Reserved]
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ง 434.52 Effluent limitations quidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).
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(a) Reclamation areas. The limitations in this subsection apply to discharges from reclamation areas until the performance bond issued to the facility by the appropriate SMCRA authority has been released.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61 and 434.63(d)(2) of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best practicable control technology currently available:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable Solids......................... 0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

(b) Underground mine drainage. The limitations in this subsection apply to discharges from the underground workings of underground mines until SMCRA bond release.

(1) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61, 434.62 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration of quality of pollutants in acid or ferruginous mine drainage subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best practicable control technology currently available:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

(2) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, 40 CFR 401.17, and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants in alkaline mine drainage subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best practicable control technology currently available:

BPT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

ง 434.53 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).
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(a) Reclamation areas. The limitations of this subsection apply to discharges from reclamation areas until SMCRA bond release.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61 and 434.63(d)(2) of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants which may be discharged by a point source subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best available technology economically achievable:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids......................... 0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
exceeded.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Underground mine drainage. The limitations in this subsection apply to discharges from the underground workings of underground mines until SMCRA bond release.

(1) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61, 434.62, and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants in acid or ferruginous mine drainage subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best available technology economically achievable:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30–125.32, and งง434.61, and 434.63 of this part, the following limitations establish the concentration or quality of pollutants in alkaline mine drainage subject to the provisions of this subsection after application of the best available technology economically achievable:

BAT Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
on in mg/l
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 7.0 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

ง 434.54 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]
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ง 434.55 New source performance standards (NSPS).
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The following new source performance standards shall apply to the post-mining areas of all new source coal mines:

(a) Reclamation areas. The standards of this subsection apply to discharges from reclamation areas at new source coal mines until SMCRA bond release.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61 and 434.63 (d)(2) of this part, the following new source performance standards shall be achieved for a discharge subject to the provisions of this subsection:

NSPS Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable Solids......................... 0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(\1\) Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

(b) Underground mine drainage. The standards in this subsection apply to discharges from the underground workings of new source underground mines until bond release.

(1) Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61, 434.62, and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall be achieved for the discharge of any acid or ferruginous mine drainage subject to this subsection:

NSPS Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
ons in mg/1
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 6.0 3.0
Manganese, total.............................. 4.0 2.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

(2) Except as provided in 40 CFR 401.17 and งง434.61 and 434.63 of this part, the following new source performance standards shall be achieved for the discharge of any alkaline mine drainage subject to this subsection:

NSPS Effluent Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of
daily
Maximum for values for
Pollutant or pollutant property any 1 day 30
consecutive
days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentrati
ons in mg/1
-------------------------
Iron, total................................... 6.0 3.0
TSS........................................... 70.0 35.0
pH............................................ (\1\) (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times.

Subpart F—Miscellaneous Provisions
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ง 434.60 Applicability.
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The provisions of this subpart F apply to this part 434 as specified in subparts B, C, D, E and G of this part.

[67 FR 3406, Jan. 23, 2002]

ง 434.61 Commingling of waste streams.
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Where waste streams from any facility covered by this part are combined for treatment or discharge with waste streams from another facility covered by this part, the concentration of each pollutant in the combined discharge may not exceed the most stringent limitations for that pollutant applicable to any component waste stream of the discharge.

ง 434.62 Alternate effluent limitation for pH.
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Where the application of neutralization and sedimentation treatment technology results in inability to comply with the otherwise applicable manganese limitations, the permit issuer may allow the pH level in the final effluent to exceed 9.0 to a small extent in order that the manganese limitations can be achieved.

ง 434.63 Effluent limitations for precipitation events.
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(a)(1) The alternate limitations specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply with respect to:

(i) All discharges of alkaline mine drainage except discharges from underground workings of underground mines that are not commingled with other discharges eligible for these alternate limitations;

(ii) All discharges from steep slope areas, (as defined in section 515(d)(4) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended (SMCRA)), and from mountaintop removal operations (conducted pursuant to section 515(c) of SMCRA);

(iii) Discharges from coal preparation plants and preparation plant associated areas (excluding acid or ferruginous mine drainage from coal refuse disposal piles).

(2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24 hour period less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:

Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids......................... 0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ 6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid or ferruginous drainage from coal refuse disposal piles:

Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 1-year, 24-hour precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:

Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids......................... 0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ 6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid or ferruginous mine drainage, except for discharges addressed in paragraphs (a) (mountaintop removal and steep slope areas), (d) (controlled surface mine discharges) and (f) (discharges from underground workings of underground mines) of this section:

(1) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24 hour period less than or equal to the 2-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:

Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron, total............................... 7.0 mg/l maximum for any 1
day.
Settleable solids......................... 0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ 6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 2-year, 24-hour precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:

Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids......................... 0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
exceeded.
pH........................................ 6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d)(1) The alternate limitations specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section apply with respect to all discharges described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section and to:

(i) Discharges of acid or ferruginous mine drainage from underground workings of underground mines which are commingled with other discharges eligible for these alternate limitations; and

(ii) Controlled acid or ferruginous surface mine discharges; and

(iii) Discharges from reclamation areas.

(2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable limitations:

Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant or pollutant property Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
pH........................................ 6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(e) The operator shall have the burden of proof that the discharge or increase in discharge was caused by the applicable precipitation event described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.

(f) Discharges of mine drainage from underground workings of underground mines which are not commingled with discharges eligible for alternate limitations set forth in this section shall in no event be eligible for the alternate limitations set forth in this section.

ง 434.64 Procedure and method detection limit for measurement of settleable solids.
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For the purposes of this part, the following procedure shall be used to determine settleable solids: Fill an Imhoff cone to the one-liter mark with a thoroughly mixed sample. Allow to settle undisturbed for 45 minutes. Gently stir along the inside surface of the cone with a stirring rod. Allow to settle undisturbed for 15 minutes longer. Record the volume of settled material in the cone as milliliters per liter. Where a separation of settleable and floating materials occurs, do not include the floating material in the reading. Notwithstanding any provision of 40 CFR part 136, the method detection limit for measuring settleable solids under this part shall be 0.4 ml/l.

ง 434.65 Modification of NPDES permits for new sources.
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Any coal mine or coal preparation plant which was considered a new source under previous EPA regulations may, notwithstanding ง122.62 of this chapter, apply to have its NPDES permit modified to incorporate the revised new source performance standards.

Subpart G—Coal Remining
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Source: 67 FR 3406, Jan. 23, 2002, unless otherwise noted.

ง 434.70 Specialized definitions.
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(a) The term coal remining operation means a coal mining operation at a site on which coal mining was previously conducted and where the site has been abandoned or the performance bond has been forfeited.

(b) The term pollution abatement area means the part of the permit area that is causing or contributing to the baseline pollution load of pre-existing discharges. The pollution abatement area must include, to the extent practicable, areas adjacent to and nearby the remining operation that also must be affected to reduce the pollution load of the pre-existing discharges and may include the immediate location of the pre-existing discharges. (continued)