e-AMLIS Priority 1 and 2

Priority 1 and 2: Problem Types

CS Clogged Stream

Any filling of a stream bed, usually in a narrow valley, with AML originated silt and debris carried downstream by surface runoff. This causes reduced carrying capacity of the stream resulting in a danger to improved property and human health and safety. A CS is measured in miles of stream that will be dredged to abate the problem.

Those problems related to saturated ground caused by mine drainage water adversely impacting domestic water supply, human health condition, or the structural integrity of an occupied dwelling may not be assigned to the CS or clogged stream lands (CSL) Problem Type. Rather, problems associated with domestic water supply or human health condition can be considered as a PWHC; Problems associated with structural integrity can be considered as a Dangerous Slide (DS).

CSL Clogged Stream Lands

Any AML-related surface mining spoil pile or bank, mine waste, or earth material disturbed by mining activity which could be eroded and cause a CS. For the CSL to be a Priority 1 or Priority 2, demonstrate that the resulting CS will cause property damage and/or create a threat to human health and safety. CSL are measured in acres of land affected by spoil, mine waste, and earth material that are directly contributing to the CS. Those piles and banks which are identified and included in DH (dangerous highwall), DS (dangerous slide), and DI (dangerous impoundment) shall not be repeated for CSL problems.

DPE Dangerous Pile or Embankment

Any AML-related waste pile or bank located within close distance to a populated area, public road, or other area of intense visitation which poses a danger to public health and safety by its unstable steep slope or wind-blown dust and grit. The DPE Problem Type is to be used for recording non-coal related radiation problems associated with piles or embankments that would not otherwise be dangerous.

DH Dangerous Highwall

Any AML-related unprotected highwall located in close proximity to a populated area, public road, or other area of intense visitation, which poses a threat to public health and safety.

DI Dangerous Impoundment

Any AML-related large-volume water impoundment which poses a threat to human health and safety. Examples are mine waste embankments, sedimentation ponds, or underground mine water pools which could flood and cause catastrophic destruction to downstream property if the water retention structure were to fail.

The description of a DI must give evidence of a weak, unstable, or otherwise inadequate impounding structure, such as lack of an emergency spillway or improper primary spillway.

DS Dangerous Slide

Any AML-related landslide that endangers human health and safety. Examples include, mine waste piles or surface mine spoil which are unstable due to their own weight or lubricating effects of mine drainage water and threaten destruction of improved property located uphill or downhill from the landslide area.

FLD Flooding

Any AML-related flooding not caused by sedimentation of streams and not caused by impounded water escaping a containment area.  Problems with this keyword include soil saturation and flooding caused by rising mine pools, infiltration of groundwater polluted by mining to improved property, or flooding in areas that have subsided below the historic flood plain elevation.   Use Clogged Stream (CS) for flooding caused by sedimentation of streams and use Dangerous Impoundment (DI) for flooding from impounded water escaping a containment area or mine pool.

GHE Hazardous or Explosive Gases

AML-related venting of hazardous or explosive gases. Those problems identified and included under other Problem Types shall not be repeated for a GHE problem. Use the GHE designation for gases from an underground mine fire when the proposed reclamation technique would involve sealing gas vents or restricting access to the gas plume. Use Underground Mine Fire (UMF) when reclamation would require mitigating the fire. The GHE Problem Type is to be used for recording non-coal related radiation problems where the radiation impact is not associated with any other Problem Type.

HEF Hazardous Equipment or Facilities

Any AML-related dilapidated hazardous equipment or facilities located within close proximity to populated areas, along public roads, or other areas of intense visitation.

HWB Hazardous Recreational Water Body

Any impounded water, regardless of depth or surface area that is considered an attractive nuisance and is located within close proximity to a populated area, public road, or other areas of intense visitation. Impounded water problems related to water pollution instead of physical hazards should be included under PWAI or PWHC.

The hazard must result from some AML-related feature(s) such as steep or unstable banks, hidden underwater ledges, or rocks or debris on the bottom. The fact that a pond is present is not sufficient evidence of a hazard.

IRW Industrial or Residential Waste

Any AML-impacted area which has been used illegally for residential or industrial waste disposal that poses a danger to public health and safety from unsanitary conditions or from the toxic emissions from the burning refuse.

P Portal

Any AML-related surface entrance to a drift, tunnel, adit, or entry which is not sealed or barricaded and is posing a threat to public health and safety.

PWAI Polluted Water: Agricultural/Industrial

Any surface or subsurface water used for agricultural or industrial purposes which does not meet standards (especially those for suspended solids, acid or alkaline conditions, heavy metals concentrations, or radioactivity) because of AML-related impact. Current test results should be supplied demonstrating the substandard conditions. The standards that are set for the water use should also be stated.

PWHC Polluted Water: Human Consumption

Any surface or subsurface water used for human consumption or recreational waters used for swimming that does not meet standards (especially those for suspended solids, acid or alkaline conditions, heavy metals concentrations, or radioactivity) because of AML related impacts. Current test results demonstrating pollution should be recorded in e-AMLIS.

Note: A Priority 1 or 2 PWHC problem is different than a Priority B WS problem. Projects that specifically address health and safety problems should be recorded as a Priority 1 or 2 based upon the results of the PWHC Priority Documentation Form. If completion of the PWHC Priority Documentation Form does not yield a Priority 1 or 2 designation, the activities may be evaluated to determine if they qualify as a Priority B WS problem under SMCRA 403(b) (see WS Problem Type below).

S Subsidence

Any surface expression of AML-related subsidence which damages property and poses danger to human safety and health. These may be tension cracks, troughs, shearing faults, or caving caused by AML-related underground mine voids. There must be evidence of subsidence activity and/or continued damage within the last five years. If subsidence results in an isolated pothole or vertical opening (VO), (see the VO Problem Type below).

SB Surface Burning

Any AML-related continuous combustion of mine waste material resulting in smoke, haze, heat, or venting of hazardous gases located within close distance to a populated area, public road, or other public use area and posing a danger to public health and safety. Burning must be currently occurring or be demonstrated to occur on a regular basis. Burning in a mine dump, even if beneath the surface of the material, is surface burning.

UMF Underground Mine Fire

Any AML-related continuous smoke, haze, heat, or venting of hazardous gases from underground mine coal combustion posing a danger to public health and safety.

VO Vertical Opening

Any AML-related vertical or steeply-inclined shaft or opening which is not sealed or barricaded and poses a threat to the public health and safety. Also included are instances where subsidence results in an isolated pothole or vertical opening that has become a hazard.

 

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