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OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Library of COALEX Research Reports

COALEX Research Reports are the products of research and analysis conducted on specific issues relating to the regulation of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The research is conducted in response to requests for information from State Regulatory Authorities, under a cooperative agreement between the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC).

COALEX refers to the Library of Surface Mining Materials maintained by OSM in LEXIS-NEXIS and is a major source for the research.

Each Report includes a list of resources which were sent as attachments to the individual who requested the research. To obtain a copy of the attachments or to obtain any additional information, contact Joyce Zweben Scall by phone at 202-686-9138 or by email at JZScall@aol.com.

COALEX STATE COMPARISON REPORT - 215

May 1992

Steve Layton
Maryland Bureau of Mines
160 So. Water Street
Frostburg, Maryland 21532

TOPIC: WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS

INQUIRY: The federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.42 (surface) and 817.42 (underground) state that discharges from areas disturbed by mining shall comply with effluent limitations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Maryland's corresponding regulation requires compliance with "all federal and State laws", lists specific minimum numerical effluent limitations and allows exemptions from the effluent limitations for certain precipitation events. Which states have regulations that reference the EPA regulations and which states list specific numerical limitations?

SEARCH RESULTS: Research was conducted using the COALEX Library and other materials available in LEXIS. Relevant regulations were identified for 18 states. These findings are listed below. Also identified were Federal Register notices that discuss OSM's approval or disapproval of the state sections that correspond to 816.42 and 817.42. The regulation history of the section and the most recent EPA notice on effluent limitations are included for background. Copies of all materials are attached unless otherwise indicated.

REGULATION HISTORY

The attached summary of the history of 30 CFR 816.42 is taken from the final rules published in the Federal Register on September 26, 1983 (48 FR 44032). Copies of the revisions to the regulation section and the OSM preambles which discuss the rationale for the changes, e.g., federal case decisions and changes to EPA's guidelines, are attached. Also included with this report is a copy of the most recent Federal Register notice that discusses EPA's effluent limitation guidelines.


COMPARISON OF STATE REGULATIONS

The following states' permanent program regulations reference the Clean Water Act or the EPA regulations at 40 CFR 434:


STATE

REGULATION SECTION
 (EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ILLINOIS

Ill Admin Code title 62, 1816.42 (10/88)

 

KENTUCKY

405 KAR 16:070E, Sec 1 (5/82)

 

LOUISIANA

216.42 (5/91)

See Federal Register notice that discusses revisions: 56 FR 21270 (MAY 8, 1991).

MISSOURI

10 CSR 40-3.040 (1/91)

See Federal Register notice that discusses deletion of rainfall exemption section: 55 FR 618 (JANUARY 8, 1990).

MONTANA

Mont Admin R 26.4.633 (5/90)

Section provides examples of minerals regulated.

 

Mont Admin R 26.4.903 (5/90)

Underground mining section refers to 26.4.633.

OKLAHOMA

817.42 (3/90)

 

VIRGINIA

Va Regs Reg 480-03-19.816.42 (11/86)

 

WEST VIRGINIA

38-2-14 (5/91)

See the attached Federal Register notice: 55 FR 21304 (MAY 23, 1990).


The regulations of these states require compliance with state and/or federal rules but do not specifically indicate EPA rules:


STATE

REGULATION SECTION
 (EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ALABAMA

Ala Admin Code r 880-X-10C-.13 (7/84)

 

INDIANA

310 IAC 12-5-17 (10/81)

See excerpts of Meeting Minutes that discusses EPA comments. OSM stated that the language of the section is "no less effective" even though specific water quality standards are not delineated.

OHIO

Ohio Admin Code 1501:13-9-04 (12/88)

See Federal Register notice excerpts: 55 FR 38989 (SEPTEMBER 24, 1990).

NORTH DAKOTA

ND Cent Code Sec 69-05.2-16-04 (1/90)

Requires compliance with state rules.


The following states have regulations similar to MARYLAND COMAR 08.13.09.24 (12/80), in that they specify numerical effluent limitations and/or allow exemptions for certain precipitation events, as indicated below:


STATE

REGULATION SECTION
 (EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ARKANSAS

Ark Reg 816.42 (3/88)

(a)(7) Refers to EPA regs at 40 CFR 434; (b) discusses exemptions.

COLORADO

Colo Reg 4.05.2 (5/84)

(7) Lists specific limitations, but does not use the phrase "at a minimum"; (8) lists exemptions. See Federal Register excerpts: 54 FR 50739 (DECEMBER 11, 1989).

MISSISSIPPI

216.42 (4/80)

(a)(7) List specific limitations; (b) lists exemptions.

NEW MEXICO

CSMC Rule 80-1-20-42 (6/91)

(a)(8) Refers to EPA rules at 40 CFR 434; (b) lists exemptions. See discussions of revisions and EPA comments in Federal Register notices: 56 FR 28484 (JUNE 21, 1991) and 57 FR 12720 (APRIL 13, 1992).

PENNSYLVANIA

25 Pa Code Sec 89.102 (5/91)

Lists specific effluent limitations corresponding to different weather conditions.

 

25 Pa Code Sec 87.103 (5/91)

Lists alternate effluent limitations for certain precipitation events.

 

25 Pa Code Sec 89.52 (5/91)

Lists specific limitations for underground mining.
See discussion of reorganized rules in Federal Register excerpts: 56 FR 24687 (MAY 31, 1991).

TEXAS

051.07.04.340 (7/85)

(a)(7) Lists specific limitations; (b) lists exemptions. See excerpts from the Federal Register, below.

 

50 FR 279047 (JULY 9, 1985). Final rule.

In approving the Texas regulation, OSM stated: "In response to a concern raised by OSM, Texas responded in a letter clarifying that where the EPA standards at 30 CFR 434 are more stringent than the limits established in the Texas rules, the EPA standards will apply. The Director is satisfied that Texas will apply EPA criteria for all discharges covered in this rule".


ATTACHMENTS

  1. ILLINOIS: Ill. Admin. Code title 62, Sec. 1816.42 (10/88). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  2. KENTUCKY: 405 KAR 16:070E, Sec 1 (5/82). Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  3. LOUISIANA:
    1. 216.42 (5/91). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
    2. 56 FR 21270 (MAY 8, 1991). Final rule; approval of amendment.
  4. MISSOURI:
    1. 10 CSR 40-3.040 (1/91). Requirements for protection of the hydrologic balance.
    2. 55 FR 618 (JANUARY 8, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendment.
  5. MONTANA:
    1. Mont. Admin. R. 26.4.633 (5/90). Water quality performance standards.
    2. Mont. Admin. R. 26.4.903 (5/90). General performance standards.
  6. OKLAHOMA: 817.42 (3/90). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  7. VIRGINIA: Va. Regs. Reg. 480-03-19.816.42 (11/86). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  8. WEST VIRGINIA:
    1. 38-2-14 (5/91). Hydrologic balance.
    2. 55 FR 21304 (MAY 23, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendment.
  9. ALABAMA: Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.13 (7/84). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  10. INDIANA:
    1. 310 IAC 12-5-17 (10/81). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
    2. Minutes of meetings between OSM and Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources (5/18/82 and 5/19/82).
  11. OHIO:
    1. Ohio Admin. Code Sec. 1501:13-9-04 (12/88). Protection of the hydrologic system.
    2. 55 FR 38989 (SEPTEMBER 24, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendments.
  12. NORTH DAKOTA: N.D. Cent. Code Sec. 69-05.2-16-04 (1/90). Performance standards - Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  13. MARYLAND: COMAR 08.13.09.24 (12/80). Ponds and sediment control measures.
  14. ARKANSAS: Ark. Reg. 816.42 (3/88). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  15. COLORADO:
    1. Colo. Reg. 4.05.2 (5/84). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
    2. 54 FR 50739 (DECEMBER 11, 1989). Final rule; approval of amendment.
  16. MISSISSIPPI: 216.42 (4/80). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  17. NEW MEXICO:
    1. CSMC Rule 80-1-20-42 (6/91). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
    2. 56 FR 28484 (JUNE 21, 1991). Final rule; approval of proposed amendment.
    3. 57 FR 12720 (APRIL 13, 1992). Final rule; approval of proposed amendment.
  18. PENNSYLVANIA:
    1. 25 Pa Code Sec. 89.102 (5/91). Hydrologic balance; effluent standards. [Surface coal mining]
    2. 25 Pa Code Sec. 87.103 (5/91). Catastrophic storm exemption. [Surface coal mining]
    3. 25 Pa Code Sec. 89.52 (5/91). [Underground mining]
    4. 56 FR 24687 (MAY 31, 1991). Final rule; approval of amendment.
  19. TEXAS:
    1. 051.07.04.340 (7/85). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
    2. 50 FR 279047 (JULY 9, 1985). Final rule.
  20. 44 FR 14902 (MARCH 13, 1979). Permanent Program Final Preamble - Final Rule. Sec. 816.42 Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  21. 44 FR 77447 (DECEMBER 31, 1979). Notice of suspension and withdrawal of certain rules in 30 CFR Chapter VII.
  22. 44 FR 77456 (DECEMBER 31, 1979). Notice of intent to commence rulemaking.
  23. 45 FR 36901 (MAY 30, 1980). [Statement of proposed effluent limitations regulations under consideration.]
  24. 45 FR 51547 (AUGUST 4, 1980). Notice of suspension.
  25. 46 FR 34784 (JULY 2, 1981). Proposed rule. Effluent limitations and sedimentation pond design.
  26. 47 FR 47216 (OCTOBER 22, 1982). Final rule. Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
  27. 48 FR 44032 (SEPTEMBER 26, 1983). Final rule. Siltation structures.
  28. 50 FR 41296 (OCTOBER 9, 1985). EPA: Final rule. Effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards.
  29. 45 FR 6913 (JANUARY 30, 1980). Correction and addition to notice of suspension and withdrawal.

Research conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall

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