17.24.644    PROTECTION OF GROUND WATER RECHARGE

(1) The disturbed area must be reclaimed to restore the approximate premining recharge capacity through restoration of the capability of the reclaimed areas as a whole to transmit water to the ground water system. The recharge capacity must be restored to support the approved postmining land use, minimize disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and provide a rate of recharge that approximates the premining recharge rate. The permittee shall monitor according to ARM 17.24.645 to ensure operations conform to this requirement.

(2) The permittee shall collect data and conduct studies as requested by the department to determine whether the recharge capacity of the mined lands can be restored to the approximate premining recharge capacity.

History: 82-4-205, MCA; IMP, 82-4-231, MCA; NEW, 1980 MAR p. 725, Eff. 4/1/80; AMD, 1989 MAR p. 30, Eff. 1/13/89; TRANS, from DSL, 1996 MAR p. 3042; AMD, 2024 MAR p. 258, Eff. 2/10/24.