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Regulating Selenium in Discharges

This article discusses West Virginia's efforts in regulating selenium in water discharges, including historical developments, legal actions, and current measures. It explores selenium water quality criteria, NPDES permits, TMDL completion, and compliance orders.

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Regulating Selenium in Discharges

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  1. Regulating Selenium in Discharges Kenneth Politan Division of Mining & Reclamation

  2. In the Beginning…. • West Virginia promulgated selenium water quality criteria in 1965. • Bragg v. Robertson, Civ. No. 2:98-0636. • Settlement – Programmatic EIS. • Technical studies – water quality monitoring.

  3. Reaction • NPDES reissuance applications • Streams placed on 303(d) list • Selenium TMDL completed • Notice of intent to sue (NOI) • Civil action filed

  4. Selenium Water Quality Criteria in West Virginia • 1965 – Total Se 10 ug/l all uses • 1986 – Total Se 10 ug/l human health Selenite 35 ug/l aquatic life • 1990 – Total Se 10 ug/l human health Total Se 5 ug/l aquatic life • 1996 – Total Se 10 ug/l human health Total Se 20 ug/l acute Total Se 5 ug/l chronic

  5. Selenium – General Issues • Selenium NPDES permits. • 123 permits have selenium limits. • 33 permits have selenium limits in effect. • 90 permits issued compliance orders. • Approved methods. • Reporting in proper units. • Reasonable potential (RP).

  6. Regulating Selenium in Permits • Reasonable potential. • Coal seams in the Upper Kanawha formation. • Streams with completed selenium TMDL. • Streams on the 303(d) list for selenium. • Reissuance Table 2-IV-C analyses.

  7. Regulating Selenium in Permits New and expanded • Limits effective upon discharge. • Surface mines - material handling plan. Reissuance • Surface mines may be modified to include material handling plan. • Compliance schedule with interim requirements.

  8. Selenium Compliance Orders Interim requirements • Meeting with regional staff. • Surface mines - material handling plan. • Treatment plan. • Commence construction. Final requirements • Complete construction - meet limits.

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