LAC 43:XV.5345. Hydrologic Balance: Discharge of Water into an Underground Mine

A. Surface water shall not be diverted or otherwise discharged into underground mine workings, unless the person who conducts the surface mining activities demonstrates to the office that this will: 1. abate water pollution or otherwise eliminate public hazards resulting from surface mining activities; 2. be discharged as a controlled flow, meeting the effluent limitations of §5321 for pH and total suspended solids, except that the pH and total suspended solid limitations may be exceeded, if approved by the office, and is limited to: a. coal processing waste; b. fly ash from a coal-fired facility; c. sludge from an acid mine drainage treatment facility; d. flue gas desulfurization sludge; e. inert materials used for stabilizing underground mines; or f. underground mine development wastes; 3. in any event, the discharge from underground mines to surface waters will not cause, result in or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards or effluent limitations; 4. minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance on the permit area, prevent material damage outside the permit area and otherwise eliminate public hazards resulting from surface mining activities; and 5. meets with the approval of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.