[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 27]
[Revised as ofJuly 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR434.63]

[Page 287-288]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 434--COAL MINING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY BPT, BAT, BCT LIMITATIONS AND NEW SOURCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart F--Miscellaneous Provisions
 
Sec. 434.63  Effluent limitations for precipitation events.

    (a)(1) The alternate limitations specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section apply with respect to:
    (i) All discharges of alkaline mine drainage except discharges from 
underground workings of underground mines that are not commingled with 
other discharges eligible for these alternate limitations;
    (ii) All discharges from steep slope areas, (as defined in section 
515(d)(4) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as 
amended (SMCRA)), and from mountaintop removal operations (conducted 
pursuant to section 515(c) of SMCRA);
    (iii) Discharges from coal preparation plants and preparation plant 
associated areas (excluding acid or ferruginous mine drainage from coal 
refuse disposal piles).
    (2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by 
precipitation within any 24 hour period less than or equal to the 10-
year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may 
comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise 
applicable limitations:

                Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pollutant or pollutant property           Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids.........................  0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be
                                             exceeded.
pH........................................  6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 288]]

    (b) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid 
or ferruginous drainage from coal refuse disposal piles:

    Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by 
precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 1-year, 24-hour 
precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour 
precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with 
the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable 
limitations:

                Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pollutant or pollutant property           Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids.........................  0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be
                                             exceeded.
pH........................................  6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) The following alternate limitations apply with respect to acid 
or ferruginous mine drainage, except for discharges addressed in 
paragraphs (a) (mountaintop removal and steep slope areas), (d) 
(controlled surface mine discharges) and (f) (discharges from 
underground workings of underground mines) of this section:
    (1) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by 
precipitation within any 24 hour period less than or equal to the 2-
year, 24-hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may 
comply with the following limitations instead of the otherwise 
applicable limitations:

                Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pollutant or pollutant property           Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron, total...............................  7.0 mg/l maximum for any 1
                                             day.
Settleable solids.........................  0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
                                             exceeded.
pH........................................  6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by 
precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 2-year, 24-hour 
precipitation event, but less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour 
precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply with 
the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable 
limitations:

                Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pollutant or pollutant property           Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settleable solids.........................  0.5 ml/l maximum not to be
                                             exceeded.
pH........................................  6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d)(1) The alternate limitations specified in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section apply with respect to all discharges described in 
paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section and to:
    (i) Discharges of acid or ferruginous mine drainage from underground 
workings of underground mines which are commingled with other discharges 
eligible for these alternate limitations; and
    (ii) Controlled acid or ferruginous surface mine discharges; and
    (iii) Discharges from reclamation areas.
    (2) Any discharge or increase in the volume of a discharge caused by 
precipitation within any 24 hour period greater than the 10-year, 24-
hour precipitation event (or snowmelt of equivalent volume) may comply 
with the following limitations instead of the otherwise applicable 
limitations:

                Effluent Limitations During Precipitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pollutant or pollutant property           Effluent limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
pH........................................  6.0-9.0 at all times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) The operator shall have the burden of proof that the discharge 
or increase in discharge was caused by the applicable precipitation 
event described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
    (f) Discharges of mine drainage from underground workings of 
underground mines which are not commingled with discharges eligible for 
alternate limitations set forth in this section shall in no event be 
eligible for the alternate limitations set forth in this section.