| (a) The person who conducts in situ-processing activities shall comply with §§12.500-12.572 of this title (relating to Permanent Program Performance Standards--Underground Mining Activities) and this section. (b) In situ-processing activities shall be planned and conducted to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance by: (1) avoiding discharge of fluids into holes or wells, other than as approved by the Commission; (2) injecting process recovery fluids only into geologic zones or intervals approved as production zones by the Commission; (3) avoiding annular injection between the wall of the drill hole and the casing; and (4) preventing discharge of process fluid into surface waters. (c) Each person who conducts in situ-processing activities shall submit for approval as part of the application for permit under §12.205 of
this title (relating to In Situ Processing Activities), and follow after approval, a plan that ensures that all acid-forming, toxic-forming, or radioactive gases, solids, or liquids constituting a fire, health, safety, or environmental hazard and caused by the mining and recovery process are promptly treated, confined, or disposed of in a manner that prevents contamination of ground and surface waters, damage to fish, wildlife and related environmental values, and threats to the public health and safety. (d) Each person who conducts in situ-processing activities shall prevent flow of the process recovery fluid: (1) horizontally beyond the affected area identified in the permit; and (2) vertically into overlying or underlying aquifers. (e) Each person who conducts in situ-processing activities shall restore the quality of affected ground water in the permit and adjacent areas, including ground water above
and below the production zone, to the approximate premining levels or better, to ensure that the potential for use of the ground water is not diminished.
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