Mont. Admin. r. 17.24.904 - IN SITU COAL PROCESSING OPERATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
(1) An operator who conducts in situ coal
processing operations shall comply with ARM
17.24.903.
(2) In situ coal processing operations must also
be planned and conducted to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic
balance by:
(a) avoiding discharge of fluids into
holes or wells, other than as approved by the department;
(b) injecting process recovery fluids only into
geologic zones or intervals approved as production zones by the
department;
(c) avoiding annular
injection between the walls of the drill hole and the casing; and
(d) preventing discharge of process fluid into
surface waters.
(3) An
operator who conducts in situ coal processing operations shall follow a plan
approved pursuant to ARM
17.24.902.
(4) An operator who conducts in situ coal
processing operations shall prevent flow of the process recovery fluid:
(a) horizontally beyond the affected area
identified in the permit; and
(b)
vertically into overlying or underlying aquifers.
(5) An operator who conducts in situ coal
processing operations shall restore the quality of affected ground water in the mine
plan and adjacent areas, including ground water above and below the production zone,
to the approximate premining levels or better, to ensure that the potential for use
of the ground water is not diminished.
(6) An operator who conducts in situ coal
processing operations shall monitor the quality and quantity of surface and ground
water and the subsurface flow and storage characteristics, in a manner approved by
the department under ARM
17.24.645 and
17.24.646 to measure changes in the
quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water systems in the mine plan
and adjacent areas. Air and water quality monitoring must be conducted in accordance
with monitoring programs approved by the department as necessary according to
appropriate federal and state air and water quality standards.
Notes
AUTH: 82-4-205, MCA; IMP: 82-4-227, 82-4-231, 82-4-232, 82-4-233, MCA
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