<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 26.20.20.04" title_num="26" subtitle_num="20" chapter_num="20" heading="Ground Water Monitoring.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Ground water monitoring shall be conducted according to the ground water monitoring plan approved under COMAR 26.20.02.13R.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Frequency of Monitoring Ground Water.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The frequency of monitoring ground water at the approved monitoring location or locations shall be once every calendar quarter unless more frequent monitoring is required by the Bureau.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ground water monitoring data shall be submitted to the Bureau within 28 days of the end of the quarter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The samples for consecutive quarters shall be collected at a minimum of 60-day intervals.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If an analysis of a ground water sample indicates noncompliance with a permit condition, the operator shall promptly notify the Bureau and immediately take the actions provided for in COMAR 26.20.02.13N, O, and P and 26.20.05.03C.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>At a minimum, the following parameters shall be monitored at each monitoring location:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Specific conductance corrected to 25°C, or total dissolved solids in milligrams per liter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Total suspended solids in milligrams per liter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Acidity and alkalinity;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>pH in standard units;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Total iron in milligrams per liter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Total manganese in milligrams per liter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Sulfates;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Depth to water, rates of discharge, or usage, as appropriate; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Other parameters required by the Bureau.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Ground water monitoring shall proceed through mining and continue during reclamation until bond release or until the operator demonstrates, using the monitoring data obtained under this regulation, that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The operation has minimized disturbances of the hydrologic balance both onsite and offsite, water availability and quality are suitable to support approved postmining land uses, and the water rights of other users have been protected or replaced; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Monitoring is no longer necessary to achieve the purposes of the monitoring plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>When surface mining activities may affect the ground water systems which serve as aquifers which significantly impact the hydrologic balance of water use on or off the mine plan area, ground water levels and ground water quality shall be periodically monitored. Monitoring shall include a sufficient number of measurements from wells, and mineralogical and chemical analyses of aquifers, overburden, and spoil to reflect changes in ground water quantity and quality. Monitoring shall be adequate to plan for modification of surface mining activities, if necessary, to minimize disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>As required by the Bureau, the person who conducts surface mining activities shall conduct additional hydrologic tests, including drilling, infiltration tests, and aquifer tests, and shall submit the results to the Bureau, to demonstrate compliance with the Regulatory Program.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The Bureau may waive the ground water monitoring requirements under §§A—D of this regulation when it is not feasible to determine pre-mining ground water conditions because:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Previous surface or deep mines, or both, within the permit area or adjacent area have affected ground water quantity or quality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Deep mine underdrainage has resulted in an absence of ground water within the stratigraphic sequence of the proposed mining operation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A preexisting mine operation, with a significant degree of completion, has affected ground water quantity or quality and the effects of the proposed mine operation would be inseparable from previous mining impacts;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The location of the mining operation with respect to topographic or stratigraphic constraints, or both, precludes the installation of an effective monitoring system.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>