In order to protect the hydrologic balance, surface mining activities shall be conducted according to the plan approved under §12.146 of this title (relating to Reclamation Plan: Protection of Hydrologic Balance) and the following: (1) ground-water quality shall be protected by handling earth materials and runoff in a manner that minimizes acidic, toxic, or other harmful infiltration to ground-water systems and by managing excavations and other disturbances to prevent or control the discharge of pollutants into the ground water; and (2) ground-water quantity shall be protected by handling earth materials and runoff in a manner that will restore the approximate premining recharge capacity of the reclaimed area as a whole, excluding coal mine waste disposal areas and fills, so as to allow the movement of water to the ground-water system.
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