Illinois Code § 3.10

§ 3.10.

Hydrology. (a) Disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance at the mine-site and in associated offsite areas and to the quality and quantity of water in surface and ground water systems shall be minimized both during and after surface mining operations and during reclamation. (b) Acid or other toxic mine drainage shall be avoided by such measures as, but not limited to (1) preventing or removing water from contact with toxic-producing deposits; (2) treating drainage to reduce toxic content which adversely affects downstream water upon being released to water courses; and (3) casing, sealing, or otherwise managing boreholes, shafts, and wells and keeping acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground land surface waters. (c) Surface mining operations shall be conducted so as to prevent, to the extent possible using the best technology currently available, additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow, or runoff outside the permit area. In no event shall such contributions be in excess of requirements set by applicable State or Federal law. (d) Siltation structures may be constructed pursuant to subsection (c) prior to commencement of surface mining operations. Such structures shall be certified by a qualified registered engineer and be constructed as designed and as approved in the permit or reclamation plan. (e) Unless consistent with the reclamation plan, temporary or large settling ponds or other siltation structures shall be cleaned out and removed from drainways after disturbed areas are revegetated and stabilized. Silt and debris shall be deposited at a site and in a manner approved by the Department. (f) Recharge capacity of the mined area shall be restored to approximate premining conditions. (g) Channel deepening or enlargement shall be avoided in operations requiring the discharge of water from mines. (h) The Department may prescribe other actions to achieve the standards set forth in subsection (a) of this Section. (Source: P.A. 81-1015.)