_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (304)

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COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT MINING Water Quality Control Division 8/98 GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: METAL MINING PERMIT PREPARING A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (SWMP) In this document, the text in bold italics is quoted directly from the Metal Mining general permit. The text in straight type is provided as guidance in the preparation of your SWMP. The requirement to develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) prior to application for the general permit applies to all facilities. (The Metal Mining general permit also covers some coal mines.) The applicant needs to develop a SWMP for their facility, and certify in Item 8 of the application that it has been developed. The SWMP should be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices. (The plan need not be completed by a registered engineer.) Implementation of the plan is required at the time that coverage under the general permit begins. The Division reserves the right to request and review the plans, and to require additional measures to prevent and control pollution, as needed. The plan should identify potential sources of pollution (including sediment) which may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of stormwater discharges associated with the mining activity. In addition, the plan should describe and ensure the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) which will be used to reduce the pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with mining activity. BMPs are defined as physical, structural, and/or managerial practices that, when used singly or in combination, prevent or reduce pollution of water. When preparing your plan, make sure to address each item. If it is not applicable to your site, briefly explain why. A simple "Not Applicable" is not enough. Also note that the SWMP should include any existing stormwater controls at your site, not just new or proposed ones. Take full credit for what you are already doing. The permit contains different requirements for Active and Inactive Mines, including those seeking to terminate permit coverage through Mine-Waste Remediation. The SWMP requirements for Inactive Mines are discussed beginning on page 11 of this document. (Inactive mines are mining operations that are not being actively mined.) ACTIVE MINES The SWMP shall include the following items, at a minimum: 1. Description .f Mining Activities The plan shall provide a narrative description of the mining and associated activities taking place at the site which affect or may affect stormwater runoff intended to be covered by this permit. The narrative description shall report the total acreage within the mine site and an estimate of the number of acres of disturbed area. A general description of the location of the mining site relative to major transportation routes and communities shall also be provided. This is a general description of the site: what type of mining is done, how much area does it cover, and what other activities related to mining (milling, crushing, cyanide heap leach, etc.) take place.