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The SMCRA Surface Water Sampling Sites are the SMCRA-related stream monitoring sites, both upstream and downstream necessary for site characterization for the permitting process. Generally, the Surface Water Monitoring Sites will remain active for the life of mining at surface mines and only be active during the permitting process for underground mines (although there is a couple of exceptions to this currently). These sites are used to establish the background (pre-mining) stream water quality both upstream and downstream of a proposed mine site during the permitting process. During the active life of a mine (again, generally a surface mine) these stream sampling points will be used to determine if any material damage is occurring to the stream as a result of the mining process. The locations are chosen by the applicant and usually for ease of access (e.g., at a road crossing). |