Recent Issues in Water Quality Management at Western Surface Coal Mines

Water is a valuable commodity in America's West, making its management at surface coal mines even more important. Issues involving water treatment, monitoring and downstream impacts are unique at western coal mines. This paper addresses these water quality management issues, including design, construction and operation of sedimentation ponds, monitoring of water quality and regulatory agency oversight responsibilities. New federal rules, allowing reduced discharge monitoring and elimination of sedimentation ponds in some instances may provide Regulatory relief.