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Coal Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, and the Clean Water Act

Carl E. Zipper

Open publisher page 18 citations

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) as they affect active coal surface mines. To illustrate this relationship, issues associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) are discussed in detail. The SMCRA's provisions provide the primary CWA enforcement mechanisms on active mines. Evidence of an ability to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) without auxiliary treatment is necessary to achieve SMCRA permit release. Both of SMCRA's primary enforcement mechanisms (the performance bond and permit blocking) are applied to assure CWA compliance. AMD can persist for many years after completion of active mining. Perpetual treatment is a term applied to situations where AMD from NPDES-permitted discharge points show no sign of abating within the planning horizons of involved parties.

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What this paper is about

This chapter discusses the relationship between Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) as they affect active coal surface mines. To illustrate this relationship, issues associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) are discussed in detail. The SMCRA's provisions provide the primary CWA enforcement mechanisms on active mines. Evidence of an ability to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) without auxiliary treatment is necessary to achieve SMCRA permit release. Both of SMCRA's primary enforcement mechanisms (the performance bond and permit blocking) are applied to assure CWA compliance. AMD can persist for many years after completion of active mining. Perpetual treatment is a term applied to situations where AMD from NPDES-permitted discharge points show no sign of abating within the planning horizons of involved parties.

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Available abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) as they affect active coal surface mines. To illustrate this relationship, issues associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) are discussed in detail. The SMCRA's provisions provide the primary CWA enforcement mechanisms on active mines. Evidence of an ability to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) without auxiliary treatment is necessary to achieve SMCRA permit release. Both of SMCRA's primary enforcement mechanisms (the performance bond and permit blocking) are applied to assure CWA compliance. AMD can persist for many years after completion of active mining. Perpetual treatment is a term applied to situations where AMD from NPDES-permitted discharge points show no sign of abating within the planning horizons of involved parties.

Key concepts: Land reclamation, Acid mine drainage, Coal mining, Enforcement, Clean Water Act, Surface mining, Drainage, Pollutant

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