Economic Impact Analysis of R84-29 Mine-Related Water Pollution Regulations

摘要

The report discusses the economic impacts of both the IEPA proposed rule change and the Illinois Coal Association's proposed rule change concerning discharges from mine sedimentation ponds. Present Illinois effluent regulations specify certain effluent limits for dry weather mining discharges. During wet weather events, the effluent concentrations are not applicable if the sedimentation pond is designed to contain runoff from all storms smaller than a 10-year, 24-hour occurrence. These existing regulations are no longer consistent with federal coal mining guidelines. In line with the USEPA changes, the Illinois Coal Association (ICA) has introduced a regulatory proposal which deletes the optional design criteria and replaces it with a performance standard based upon attaining a setteable solids of 0.55ml during wet weather. The IEPA has introduced a counter-proposal which in essence retains the design criteria but eliminates the requirement for wet weather monitoring.