SECTION 12.348. Hydrologic Balance: Ground-Water Protection

In order to protect the hydrologic balance, surface mining activities shall be conducted according to the plan approved under §12.146 of this title (relating to Reclamation Plan: Protection of Hydrologic Balance) and the following:

(1) ground-water quality shall be protected by handling earth materials and runoff in a manner that minimizes acidic, toxic, or other harmful infiltration to ground-water systems and by managing excavations and other disturbances to prevent or control the discharge of pollutants into the ground water; and

(2) ground-water quantity shall be protected by handling earth materials and runoff in a manner that will restore the approximate premining recharge capacity of the reclaimed area as a whole, excluding coal mine waste disposal areas and fills, so as to allow the movement of water to the ground-water system.

Source Note: The provisions of this §12.348 adopted to be effective November 4, 1997, 22 TexReg 10640.