Emergency repairs - Contingency plans

1. A surface impoundment must be removed from service in accordance with subsection 2 when: a. The level of liquids in the impoundment suddenly drops and the drop is not known to be caused by changes in the flows into or out of the impoundment; or b. The dike leaks. 2. When a surface impoundment must be removed from service as required by subsection 1, the owner or operator shall: a. Immediately shut off the flow or stop the addition of wastes into the impoundment; b. Immediately contain any surface leakage which has occurred or is occurring; c. Immediately stop the leak; d. Take any other necessary steps to stop or prevent catastrophic failure; e. If a leak cannot be stopped by any other means, empty the impoundment; and f. Notify the department of the problem in writing within seven days after detecting the problem. 3. As part of the contingency plan required in sections 33.1-24-05-26 through 33.1-24-05-36, the owner or operator shall specify a procedure for complying with the requirements of subsection 2. 4. No surface impoundment that has been removed from service in accordance with the requirements of this section may be restored to service unless the portion of the impoundment which was failing is repaired and the following steps are taken: a. If the impoundment was removed from service as the result of actual or imminent dike failure, the dike's structural integrity must be recertified in accordance with subsection 3 of section 33.1-24-05-120. b. If the impoundment was removed from service as the result of a sudden drop in the liquid level, then: (1) For any existing portion of the impoundment, a liner must be installed in compliance with subsection 1 of section 33.1-24-05-119; and (2) For any other portion of the impoundment, the repaired liner system must be certified by a qualified engineer as meeting the design specifications approved in the permit. 5. A surface impoundment that has been removed from service in accordance with the requirements of this section and that is not being repaired must be closed in accordance with the provisions of section 33.1-24-05-122.