Environmental Reclamation Standards Flashcards

What is the purpose of a 'hydrologic reclamation plan' required under SMCRA permit applications?

Answer: To demonstrate how mining and reclamation will minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance

A hydrologic reclamation plan demonstrates how the operator will minimize adverse impacts to the hydrologic balance of the watershed during and after mining.

Under SMCRA, what restriction applies to surface coal mining operations in or near alluvial valley floors in the arid and semi-arid West?

Answer: Operations must not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on alluvial valley floors

SMCRA prohibits surface coal mining operations from interrupting, discontinuing, or precluding farming on alluvial valley floors used for farming in the arid and semi-arid West.

What is a 'sedimentation pond' (or settling pond) designed to accomplish at a surface mine?

Answer: Capture and settle suspended solids from stormwater runoff before discharge

Sedimentation ponds capture runoff from disturbed areas and allow suspended solids to settle before water is discharged, reducing total suspended solids in mine effluent.

What does the 'valid existing rights' (VER) exception under SMCRA allow?

Answer: Continued mining in areas otherwise prohibited if the operator had valid mining rights before the prohibition was enacted

VER allows operators who held valid property rights or mining rights before certain prohibitions were enacted to continue operations in otherwise protected areas.

A reclamation bond calculated using 'cost estimation' methodology must account for what primary cost element?

Answer: Third-party contractor cost to complete reclamation if the operator defaults

Bond amounts must reflect the cost a regulatory authority would incur to hire a third-party contractor to complete all reclamation if the operator fails to perform.

What is the significance of 'Phase III' bond release under SMCRA's three-phase bond release process?

Answer: Release of the remaining bond after the full revegetation liability period ends

Phase III bond release (the final remaining portion) occurs after the operator successfully completes the full revegetation liability period, demonstrating long-term vegetation success.

Which concept describes the requirement that reclaimed land must support the uses it was capable of supporting before mining, or a higher and better use?

Answer: Pre-mining land capability standard

SMCRA's pre-mining land capability standard requires reclaimed land to support the uses it was capable of before mining, with allowances for approved higher and better uses.