2023 Indiana Code › Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources › Article 36. Reclamation › Chapter 1. Surface Mining Reclamation › 14-36-1-26. Reclamation Procedures

Sec. 26. Reclamation of an area for which a permit is granted under this chapter shall be conducted as follows:
(1) The operator shall grade the affected area to a topography consistent with the land use objectives stated in the plan of reclamation submitted by the operator and approved by the commission. The grading shall be done in a manner that does the following:
(A) Minimizes erosion.
(B) Breaks up long, uninterrupted slopes.
(C) Leaves the surface free from large rocks and other obstructions, wherever practicable, so as to permit the operation of suitable machinery over the surface.
(2) The operator shall construct earth dams in final cuts of all operations to create lakes for water impoundment if the lakes will not interfere with other mining operations or damage adjoining property. The dams shall be constructed in a manner satisfactory to the director and must receive department approval before bond release. Where acid forming materials are present and are not covered by impounded water, the operator shall cover the materials to a depth of not less than two (2) feet with earth or nontoxic overburden.
(3) Access roads shall be located and constructed to the width, base, and grade specifications that will minimize erosion and deterioration and permit use for the purposes set forth in the reclamation plan. Mining refuse may not be used in the construction or maintenance of access roads.
(4) The operator shall remove or bury all metal, lumber, or other debris or refuse resulting from the mining operation. All materials used in the mining operation shall be disposed of as required before the termination of the operation in the affected area.
(5) The operator shall revegetate the affected area described in the application with seed, plants, or cuttings of trees, shrubs, or grasses as recommended or approved in writing by the director. The revegetation must conform to the approved land use objectives stated in the approved plan of reclamation. The seeding or planting required by this section shall be carried out in accordance with a revegetation plan filed with the director before November 30 of the year preceding planting. The revegetation plan must include information on the approximate numbers and kinds of plants or seed to be used together with the seed or plant specifications set forth in rules adopted by the commission.
(6) The operator shall begin the reclamation of the affected area as soon as practicable after initiation of mining operations and consistent with the approved plan of reclamation. The operator shall carry out the grading requirements set forth in the reclamation plan and described in subdivision (1) as soon as practicable after deposit of the overburden and before removal of reclamation equipment from the mining operation. The operator shall begin the revegetation set forth in the revegetation plan as soon as practicable following the mining operation. Approval of the revegetation plan by the director is contingent upon the physical and chemical condition of the cast overburden.
(7) The operator shall treat effluent from the permit area using the best technology available to prevent additional contributions not in excess of requirements set by applicable state or federal law of suspended solids or acid or toxic mine drainage to stream flow outside the permit area.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-4-6-6.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.29.