880-X-10K-.01 Scope. This Rule sets forth special environmental protection performance, reclamation design standards for in situ processing activities.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92.

880-X-10K-.02 Objectives. This Rule is intended to ensure that all in situ processing activities are conducted in a manner which preserves and enhances environmental values in accordance with the Act. This Rule provides additional performance, reclamation and design standards to reflect the nature of in situ processing.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92.

880-X-10K-.03 In Situ Processing: Performance Standards.

(a) The person who conducts in situ processing activities shall comply with Rule 880-X-10D and this Rule.

(b) In situ processing activities shall be planned and conducted to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance by:

1. Avoiding discharge of fluids into holes or wells, other than as approved by the State Regulatory Authority;

2. Injecting process recovery fluids only into geologic zones or intervals approved as production zones by the State Regulatory Authority;

3. Avoiding annular injection between the wall of the drill hole and the casing; and

4. Preventing discharge of process fluid into surface waters.

(c) Each person who conducts in situ processing activities shall submit for approval as part of the application for permit under Rule 880-X-8J-.12 and follow after approval, a plan that ensures that all acid-forming, toxic-forming, or radioactive gases, solids, or liquids constituting a fire, health, safety, or environmental hazard and caused by the mining and recovery process are promptly treated, confined, or disposed of, in a manner that prevents contamination of ground and surface waters, damage to fish, wildlife and related environmental values, and threats to the public health and safety.

(d) Each person who conducts in situ processing activities shall prevent flow of the process recovery fluid:

1. Horizontally beyond the affected area identified in the permit; and

2. Vertically into overlying or underlying aquifers.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92.

880-X-10K-.04 In Situ Processing: Monitoring.

(a) Each person who conducts in situ processing activities shall monitor the quality and quantity of surface and ground water and the subsurface flow and storage characteristics, in a manner approved by the State Regulatory Authority under Rule 880-X-10D-.22, to measure changes in the quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water systems in the permit and in offsite areas.

(b) Water quality monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with monitoring programs approved by the State Regulatory Authority as necessary according to appropriate State and Federal water quality standards.

(c) Results of the monitoring will be reported to the State Regulatory Authority on a schedule as determined by the State Regulatory Authority.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92.