Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 19, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Oct 17, 2024
§ 434.60 - Applicability.

The provisions of this subpart F apply to this part 434 as specified in subparts B, C, D, E and G of this part.

[67 FR 3406, Jan. 23, 2002]
§ 434.61 - Commingling of waste streams.

Where waste streams from any facility covered by this part are combined for treatment or discharge with waste streams from another facility covered by this part, the concentration of each pollutant in the combined discharge may not exceed the most stringent limitations for that pollutant applicable to any component waste stream of the discharge.

§ 434.62 - Alternate effluent limitation for pH.

Where the application of neutralization and sedimentation treatment technology results in inability to comply with the otherwise applicable manganese limitations, the permit issuer may allow the pH level in the final effluent to exceed 9.0 to a small extent in order that the manganese limitations can be achieved.

§ 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 solids0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be exceeded.
pH6.0-9.0 at all times.

(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 solids0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be exceeded.
pH6.0-9.0 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, total7.0 mg/l maximum for any 1 day.
Settleable solids0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded.
pH6.0-9.0 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 solids0.5 ml/l maximum not to be exceeded.
pH6.0-9.0 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
pH6.0-9.0 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.

§ 434.64 - Procedure and method detection limit for measurement of settleable solids.

For the purposes of this part, the following procedure shall be used to determine settleable solids: Fill an Imhoff cone to the one-liter mark with a thoroughly mixed sample. Allow to settle undisturbed for 45 minutes. Gently stir along the inside surface of the cone with a stirring rod. Allow to settle undisturbed for 15 minutes longer. Record the volume of settled material in the cone as milliliters per liter. Where a separation of settleable and floating materials occurs, do not include the floating material in the reading. Notwithstanding any provision of 40 CFR part 136, the method detection limit for measuring settleable solids under this part shall be 0.4 ml/l.

§ 434.65 - Modification of NPDES permits for new sources.

Any coal mine or coal preparation plant which was considered a new source under previous EPA regulations may, notwithstanding § 122.62 of this chapter, apply to have its NPDES permit modified to incorporate the revised new source performance standards.

authority: 33 U.S.C. 1311 1314(b), (c), (e), and (g), 1316(b) and (c), 1317(b) and (c), and 1361
source: 50 FR 41305, Oct. 9, 1985, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 434.65