R 323.2221 Hydrogeological report.

Rule 2221. (1) Before obtaining a permit authorized under R 323.2218, an applicant shall provide a hydrogeologic report that meets the require- ments of this rule. (2) Except as provided in subrule (6) of this rule, a hydrogeological report shall be in compliance with all of the following provisions: (a) Describe the regional hydrogeologic conditions, including regional and local geology and surface and groundwater conditions, over an area sufficient to allow the department to determine the acceptability of discharging at the site under part 31 and this part as described in subrule (4) of this rule. (b) Define the areal and vertical extent and physical properties of the site earth materials that assimilate and transmit the discharge. (c) Determine whether the discharge is to a usable aquifer, an unusable aquifer, or groundwater not in an aquifer. For an aquifer, determine the groundwater flow direction, groundwater velocity, 3-dimensional flow path of the discharge within the aquifer, interconnection between aquifers, and background and existing groundwater quality. For groundwater not in an aquifer, determine that the hydraulic or other physical properties, or both, are such that the formation would not be considered an aquifer. (d) Identify whether the discharge will occur within an established designated wellhead protection area or may occur within a proposed wellhead protection area. (e) If the discharge is to be monitored under R 323.2223(2), provide sufficient information for the department to determine the acceptability of a proposed monitoring program. (3) Before initiating a hydrogeologic report required by subrule (1) of this rule, the applicant may submit to the department a work plan for the development of the hydrogeologic report. (a) The department shall approve, or recommend modifications to, the work plan within 45 calendar days of its receipt. If the applicant does not receive a written approval or recommendation within 45 calendar days of receipt by the department, then the work plan shall be considered approved. (b) A work plan shall contain all of the following information: (i) A map indicating the surface geology of the area with the discharge location identified. (ii) A map indicating the topography of the area with the discharge location identified. (iii) Logs of domestic wells adequate to characterize each water supply formation within 1/2 mile in all directions from the discharge. A map shall be provided that correlates each well log to a specific map location. (iv) A map delineating an established or proposed designated wellhead protection area that may be affected by the discharge. (v) For all proposed observation wells to be drilled on-site, all of the following information: (A) Number of wells. (B) Location. (C) Depth. (D) Drilling method. (E) Well construction materials. (F) Well development method. (vi) For all proposed soil borings on-site, all of the following information: (A) Number of soil borings. (B) Location. (C) Depth. (D) Drilling and plugging method. (vii) A description of all physical testing to be done to identify soil properties and aquifer characteristics and locations where testing is to occur. (viii) A groundwater sampling and analysis plan meeting the requirements of R 323.2223(2)(a). If a map is required, it shall be drawn to scale and have a north orientation arrow. (c) If conditions not anticipated in an approved work plan are encountered in the field while collecting information for the hydrogeologic report, then the person collecting the information may contact the department to obtain approval of the changes necessary to the original work plan. Modifications may be approved verbally by the department. Written confirmation of all changes shall be provided by the discharger within 10 working days of verbal approval by the department. (4) All of the following are specific elements of a hydrogeologic report necessary to allow the determination required of the department by subrule (1) of this rule: (a) Soil borings or other test methods to determine the composition of subsurface materials, locate usable aquifers, and determine the thickness of the usable aquifer. Soil boring logs shall contain all of the following information: (i) Soil and rock descriptions. (ii) Method of sampling. (iii) Sample depth. (iv) Date of boring. (v) Water level measurements. (vi) United States geological survey ground elevation. (vii) Soil test data. (viii) Standard penetration number calculated in accordance with the method specified in the standard penetration test, ASTM D1586-84, which is adopted by reference in R 323.2238. (b) Testing of the unsaturated zone sufficient to determine both of the following: (i) The ability of site earth materials to percolate and transmit the volume of liquids resulting from the discharge. (ii) The vertical and horizontal extent of mounding resulting from the discharge. (c) Well and field testing data sufficient to determine all of the following: (i) Based on not less than 3 wells in the aquifer receiving the discharge, the groundwater flow direction, depth to groundwater, and existing groundwater quality of the aquifer receiving the discharge. (ii) Interconnections between the aquifers receiving the discharge and other aquifers in the vicinity of the discharge location. (iii) Horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer receiving the discharge to allow calculation of groundwater flow velocity. (iv) The vertical gradients within the aquifer if the discharge is to be monitored under R 323.2223(2). (d) Data indicating both of the following groundwater quality parameters at the site: (i) Specific conductance as an indication of dissolved solids. (ii) Concentration of all of the following substances for inorganic groundwater chemistry comparison of water quality: (A) Cations of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. (B) Anions of chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate. (C) The pH. (D) Any additional substances present or likely to be present in the proposed discharge. (e) If groundwater on the site or adjacent to the site is contaminated so that either property is a facility as defined by part 201, and if the extent or magnitude of the contamination could be affected by the discharge, information as described in this subrule. If the contamination is on the site, then the hydrogeologic report shall contain a delineation of the portion of the aquifer contaminated and a description of each substance that exceeds regulatory criteria. If contamination is on an adjacent property, then the hydrogeologic report shall include notice that the contamination is known to exist. The department may require further information on the nature of contamination on the adjacent property if, as a result of other information in the hydrogeological report, the department determines there is a significant likelihood that the extent or magnitude of that contamination could be affected by the discharge. (f) For dischargers proposing land treatment under R 323.2233 to meet the standards contained in R 323.2222, an evaluation of site earth material and intended crop sufficient to support the application under R 323.2233. (g) Supporting information, including all of the following information: (i) A general description of the geology of the surrounding area and how it relates to the geology and hydrogeology of the discharge location, including formations used as water supplies in the area. (ii) A narrative description of the hydrogeologic data collected and interpretation of the data as it relates to satisfying the requirements of this rule. (iii) Cross sections showing a 2-dimensional representation of the geology of the site sufficient to reflect the site geology and hydrogeology. (iv) A map of the site, drawn to scale with a north arrow, which indicates the surveyed locations of soil borings, observation and monitor wells, and test pits and other areas of physical testing and which has a groundwater contour overlay that indicates groundwater flow direction with a maximum contour interval of 1 foot. The top of well casings shall be surveyed and referenced to United States geological survey data accurate to 0.01 foot by a land surveyor licensed under Act No. 299 of the Public Acts of 1980, as amended, being §339.101 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and known as the occupational code. (v) A map of the surrounding area that shows the direction of surface drainage and all of the following within 1/2 mile of the discharge: (A) Representative private water supply wells. (B) All municipal water supply wells. (C) Irrigation and disposal wells. (D) Lakes. (E) Ponds. (F) Streams. (G) Springs. (H) Wetlands. (vi) Information describing all pertinent current and historical land use practices at the site of discharge and at properties adjacent to the site of discharge. Land use is pertinent for purposes of this subdivision if it could be impacted by the discharge or could impact the discharge. (vii) If groundwater monitoring is required under R 323.2223(2), a proposed groundwater monitoring system which includes at least 1 cluster well located hydraulically downgradient of the discharge and which meets the conditions of R 323.2223(2). (viii) All data collected during the field investigation and calculations and test results used to determine aquifer properties. (5) All test wells that are not included as part of the permanent groundwater monitoring program for the discharge, as required by R 323.2223, shall be removed and plugged according to approved procedures provided in part 127 of Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, being §§323.12701 to 323.12715 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or part 625 of the act, mineral wells, being §§324.62501 to 324.62518 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. (6) The department may waive all or portions of the requirements of this rule if the applicant demonstrates, to the department's satisfaction, that the purposes of this part can be met without submittal of all hydrogeologic information described in this rule.