BASIN WATER MONITORING: HYDROLOGIC IMPACT OR LEGAL COMPLIANCE¹

Abstract

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (PL 95–87) requires data collection prior to mining which will allow a determination to be made of the probable hydrologic consequences. Modeling strategies exist which allow for such determination, but selection of a specific model form will dictate the length of data record needed. The absence of a sound management strategy by the regulatory authority in‘Maryland does not result in valid data collection and suggests that the agency is concerned more with legal compliance than with integrated resource management.

LAND‐USE AND WATER‐QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE GEORGES CREEK BASIN, MARYLAND1

“…In coal permit applications operators supply data in support of a narrative that describes the water budget through a proposed mining site (MBOM, 1980(MBOM, , 1984. The State regulatory authority usually waives precipitation data, irregularly requires ground water monitoring, and allows selective data to be collected under the non-standardized conditions that may include zero flows and missing water quality measurements (Duckson, 1986). That authority appears not to use the data it compiles.…”