OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 1 of 5

COALEX STATE COMPARISON REPORT - 215

May 1992

Steve Layton

Maryland Bureau of Mines

160 So. Water Street

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

TOPIC: WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS

INQUIRY: The federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.42 (surface) and 817.42 (underground) state 

that discharges from areas disturbed by mining shall comply with effluent limitations set by the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Maryland's corresponding regulation requires 

compliance with "all federal and State laws", lists specific minimum numerical effluent 

limitations and allows exemptions from the effluent limitations for certain precipitation events. 

Which states have regulations that reference the EPA regulations and which states list specific 

numerical limitations? 

SEARCH RESULTS: Research was conducted using the COALEX Library and other materials 

available in LEXIS. Relevant regulations were identified for 18 states. These findings are listed 

below. Also identified were Federal Register notices that discuss OSM's approval or disapproval 

of the state sections that correspond to 816.42 and 817.42. The regulation history of the section 

and the most recent EPA notice on effluent limitations are included for background. Copies of all 

materials are attached unless otherwise indicated.

REGULATION HISTORY

The attached summary of the history of 30 CFR 816.42 is taken from the final rules published in 

the Federal Register on September 26, 1983 (48 FR 44032). Copies of the revisions to the 

regulation section and the OSM preambles which discuss the rationale for the changes, e.g., 

federal case decisions and changes to EPA's guidelines, are attached. Also included with this 

report is a copy of the most recent Federal Register notice that discusses EPA's effluent 

limitation guidelines.

COMPARISON OF STATE REGULATIONS 

The following states' permanent program regulations reference the Clean Water Act or the EPA 

regulations at 40 CFR 434:
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 2 of 5

STATE REGULATION SECTION 

(EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ILLINOIS Ill Admin Code title 62, 1816.42 

(10/88) 

KENTUCKY 405 KAR 16:070E, Sec 1 (5/82) 

LOUISIANA 216.42 (5/91) See Federal Register notice that discusses 

revisions: 56 FR 21270 (MAY 8, 1991).

MISSOURI 10 CSR 40-3.040 (1/91) See Federal Register notice that discusses 

deletion of rainfall exemption section: 55 

FR 618 (JANUARY 8, 1990). 

MONTANA Mont Admin R 26.4.633 (5/90) Section provides examples of minerals 

regulated. 

Mont Admin R 26.4.903 (5/90) Underground mining section refers to 

26.4.633. 

OKLAHOMA 817.42 (3/90) 

VIRGINIA Va Regs Reg 480-03-19.816.42 

(11/86)

WEST 

VIRGINIA

38-2-14 (5/91) See the attached Federal Register notice: 

55 FR 21304 (MAY 23, 1990). 

The regulations of these states require compliance with state and/or federal rules but do not 

specifically indicate EPA rules:

STATE REGULATION SECTION 

(EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ALABAMA Ala Admin Code r 880-X-10C-

.13 (7/84)

INDIANA 310 IAC 12-5-17 (10/81) See excerpts of Meeting Minutes that 

discusses EPA comments. OSM stated that 

the language of the section is "no less 

effective" even though specific water 

quality standards are not delineated. 

OHIO Ohio Admin Code 1501:13-9-

04 (12/88) 

See Federal Register notice excerpts: 55 

FR 38989 (SEPTEMBER 24, 1990).

NORTH 

DAKOTA

ND Cent Code Sec 69-05.2-16-

04 (1/90) 

Requires compliance with state rules. 

The following states have regulations similar to MARYLAND COMAR 08.13.09.24 (12/80), in 

that they specify numerical effluent limitations and/or allow exemptions for certain precipitation 

events, as indicated below:
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 3 of 5

STATE REGULATION SECTION 

(EFFECTIVE DATE)

COMMENTS

ARKANSAS Ark Reg 816.42 (3/88) (a)(7) Refers to EPA regs at 40 CFR 

434; (b) discusses exemptions.

COLORADO Colo Reg 4.05.2 (5/84) (7) Lists specific limitations, but does 

not use the phrase "at a minimum"; (8) 

lists exemptions. See Federal Register 

excerpts: 54 FR 50739 (DECEMBER 

11, 1989). 

MISSISSIPPI 216.42 (4/80) (a)(7) List specific limitations; (b) lists 

exemptions. 

NEW MEXICO CSMC Rule 80-1-20-42 (6/91) (a)(8) Refers to EPA rules at 40 CFR 

434; (b) lists exemptions. See 

discussions of revisions and EPA 

comments in Federal Register notices: 

56 FR 28484 (JUNE 21, 1991) and 57 

FR 12720 (APRIL 13, 1992). 

PENNSYLVANIA 25 Pa Code Sec 89.102 (5/91) Lists specific effluent limitations 

corresponding to different weather 

conditions. 

25 Pa Code Sec 87.103 (5/91) Lists alternate effluent limitations for 

certain precipitation events. 

25 Pa Code Sec 89.52 (5/91) Lists specific limitations for 

underground mining.

See discussion of reorganized rules in 

Federal Register excerpts: 56 FR 

24687 (MAY 31, 1991). 

TEXAS 051.07.04.340 (7/85) (a)(7) Lists specific limitations; (b) 

lists exemptions. See excerpts from the 

Federal Register, below. 

50 FR 279047 (JULY 9, 1985). 

Final rule. 

In approving the Texas regulation, 

OSM stated: "In response to a concern 

raised by OSM, Texas responded in a 

letter clarifying that where the EPA 

standards at 30 CFR 434 are more 

stringent than the limits established in 

the Texas rules, the EPA standards will 

apply. The Director is satisfied that 

Texas will apply EPA criteria for all 

discharges covered in this rule". 

ATTACHMENTS
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 4 of 5

A. ILLINOIS: Ill. Admin. Code title 62, Sec. 1816.42 (10/88). Hydrologic balance: Water 

quality standards and effluent limitations. 

B. KENTUCKY: 405 KAR 16:070E, Sec 1 (5/82). Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

C. LOUISIANA: 

a. 216.42 (5/91). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

b. 56 FR 21270 (MAY 8, 1991). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

D. MISSOURI: 

a. 10 CSR 40-3.040 (1/91). Requirements for protection of the hydrologic balance. 

b. 55 FR 618 (JANUARY 8, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

E. MONTANA: 

a. Mont. Admin. R. 26.4.633 (5/90). Water quality performance standards. 

b. Mont. Admin. R. 26.4.903 (5/90). General performance standards. 

F. OKLAHOMA: 817.42 (3/90). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

G. VIRGINIA: Va. Regs. Reg. 480-03-19.816.42 (11/86). Hydrologic balance: Water 

quality standards and effluent limitations. 

H. WEST VIRGINIA: 

a. 38-2-14 (5/91). Hydrologic balance. 

b. 55 FR 21304 (MAY 23, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

I. ALABAMA: Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.13 (7/84). Hydrologic balance: Water 

quality standards and effluent limitations. 

J. INDIANA: 

a. 310 IAC 12-5-17 (10/81). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and 

effluent limitations. 

b. Minutes of meetings between OSM and Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources 

(5/18/82 and 5/19/82). 

K. OHIO: 

a. Ohio Admin. Code Sec. 1501:13-9-04 (12/88). Protection of the hydrologic 

system. 

b. 55 FR 38989 (SEPTEMBER 24, 1990). Final rule; approval of amendments. 

L. NORTH DAKOTA: N.D. Cent. Code Sec. 69-05.2-16-04 (1/90). Performance standards -

Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations. 

M. MARYLAND: COMAR 08.13.09.24 (12/80). Ponds and sediment control measures. 

N. ARKANSAS: Ark. Reg. 816.42 (3/88). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and 

effluent limitations. 

O. COLORADO: 

a. Colo. Reg. 4.05.2 (5/84). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and 

effluent limitations. 

b. 54 FR 50739 (DECEMBER 11, 1989). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

P. MISSISSIPPI: 216.42 (4/80). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

Q. NEW MEXICO: 
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 5 of 5

a. CSMC Rule 80-1-20-42 (6/91). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and 

effluent limitations. 

b. 56 FR 28484 (JUNE 21, 1991). Final rule; approval of proposed amendment. 

c. 57 FR 12720 (APRIL 13, 1992). Final rule; approval of proposed amendment. 

R. PENNSYLVANIA: 

a. 25 Pa Code Sec. 89.102 (5/91). Hydrologic balance; effluent standards. [Surface 

coal mining] 

b. 25 Pa Code Sec. 87.103 (5/91). Catastrophic storm exemption. [Surface coal 

mining] 

c. 25 Pa Code Sec. 89.52 (5/91). [Underground mining] 

d. 56 FR 24687 (MAY 31, 1991). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

S. TEXAS: 

a. 051.07.04.340 (7/85). Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

b. 50 FR 279047 (JULY 9, 1985). Final rule. 

T. 44 FR 14902 (MARCH 13, 1979). Permanent Program Final Preamble - Final Rule. Sec. 

816.42 Hydrologic balance: Water quality standards and effluent limitations. 

U. 44 FR 77447 (DECEMBER 31, 1979). Notice of suspension and withdrawal of certain 

rules in 30 CFR Chapter VII. 

V. 44 FR 77456 (DECEMBER 31, 1979). Notice of intent to commence rulemaking. 

W. 45 FR 36901 (MAY 30, 1980). [Statement of proposed effluent limitations regulations 

under consideration.] 

X. 45 FR 51547 (AUGUST 4, 1980). Notice of suspension. 

Y. 46 FR 34784 (JULY 2, 1981). Proposed rule. Effluent limitations and sedimentation pond 

design. 

Z. 47 FR 47216 (OCTOBER 22, 1982). Final rule. Water quality standards and effluent 

limitations. 

AA. 48 FR 44032 (SEPTEMBER 26, 1983). Final rule. Siltation structures. 

BB. 50 FR 41296 (OCTOBER 9, 1985). EPA: Final rule. Effluent limitations 

guidelines and new source performance standards. 

CC. 45 FR 6913 (JANUARY 30, 1980). Correction and addition to notice of 

suspension and withdrawal.