U.S. Department of The Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

B -- COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DOMESTIC WATER WELL INTEGRITY IN RESPONSE TO COAL MINE BLASTING SOL 143868RFP0012104 POC K. Oberle 412/937-2838 WEB: N/, NONE. E-MAIL: ERROR --, KOBERLE@OSMRE.GOV. The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is required to ensure the prevention of damage to public and private property; injury to people; and change in the course, channel, or availability of ground or surface water outside the permit area from the adverse effects of blasting. As outlined in the preamble to the Federal rules, the regulatory authority is responsible for setting blasting limits to prevent the loss of domestic water supplies during coal mining. The coal mine permittee develops a blasting plan, tailored to the site-specific conditions. The plan is then approved by the regulatory authority if deemed adequate to prevent damage. This includes not only surface structures but also to subsurface structures such as water supply pipelines or water wells. Domestic water wells are commonly in the vicinity of surface coal mines and blasting is often blamed for affecting the availability of ground water to the owner. These complaints allege changes to both water quality and quantity. This study will measure and evaluate the impact of coal mine blasting on water wells. The objective of the study is to observe the induced effects of blasting and pumping vibrations on domestic well integrity, water quality and static water levels. The results will be compared to existing research to determine if wells are adequately protected by the existing OSM rules that apply to residential structures. It is anticipated that a fixed price contract will be awarded. The estimated price range is $25,000 -- $50,000. This procurement is subject to the availablility of funds. The RFP will be available on or after July 25, 2000. Requests for the RFP MUST be in writing and MUST be accompanied by qualification/capability statements to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirment. To be considered qualified you must have conducted at least ten water well investigations on the impact of coal mining on water wells. Along with your request, please submit abstracts of the evaluations and references.(See numbered Note 25). Reference RFP00-12104 on all requests. Telephone, e-mail or fax requests WILL NOT be accepted. OSM does not intend to pay for the preparation of the above qualification statements. Posted 07/10/00 (W-SN473045). (0192)

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