Sec. 26.20.21.01. General Requirements

A. Surface mining activities shall be planned and conducted to minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance in both the mine plan and adjacent areas, in order to prevent long-term adverse changes in that balance that could result from those activities.

B. Changes in the depth to ground water, in water quality and quantity, and in the location of surface water drainage channels shall be minimized so that the approved postmining land use of the permit area is not adversely affected.

C. Federal and State water quality statutes, regulations, standards, or effluent limitations may not be violated.

D. Operations shall be conducted to minimize water pollution, and treatment methods shall be used to control water pollution where necessary.

E. Mining activities shall emphasize mining and reclamation practices that prevent or minimize water pollution.

F. The Bureau may require that water accumulated in a pit be removed and the pit maintained in a dewatered condition whenever water quality or spoil stability is affected or before the approval of temporary cessation of mining activities.