California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 2 - Department of Conservation › Chapter 8 - Mining and Geology › Subchapter 1 - State Mining and Geology Board › Article 9 - Reclamation Standards › Section 3705 - Performance Standards for Revegetation

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Revegetation shall be part of the approved plan, unless
						it is not consistent with the approved end use.
(a) A vegetative cover suitable for the
					 proposed end use and capable of self-regeneration without continued dependence
					 on irrigation, soil amendments or fertilizer shall be established on disturbed
					 land unless an artificially maintained landscape is consistent with the
					 approved reclamation plan. Vegetative cover or density, and species-richness
					 shall be, where appropriate, sufficient to stabilize the surface against
					 effects of long-term erosion and shall be similar to naturally occurring
					 habitats in the surrounding area. The vegetative density, cover and species
					 richness of naturally occurring habitats shall be documented in baseline
					 studies carried out prior to the initiation of mining activities. However, for
					 areas that will not be reclaimed to prior conditions, the use of data from
					 reference areas in lieu of baseline site data is permissible.
(b) Test plots conducted simultaneously with
					 mining shall be required to determine the most appropriate planting procedures
					 to be followed to ensure successful implementation of the proposed revegetation
					 plan. The lead agency may waive the requirement to conduct test plots when the
					 success of the proposed revegetation plan can be documented from experience
					 with similar species and conditions or by relying on competent professional
					 advice based on experience with the species to be planted.
(c) Where surface mining activities result in
					 compaction of the soil, ripping, disking, or other means shall be used in areas
					 to be revegetated to eliminate compaction and to establish a suitable root zone
					 in preparation for planting.
(d)
					 Prior to closure, all access roads, haul roads, and other traffic routes to be
					 reclaimed shall be stripped of any remaining roadbase materials, prepared in
					 accordance with subsection
					 3705(g), covered
					 with suitable growth media or topsoil, and revegetated. When it is not
					 necessary to remove roadbase materials for revegetative purposes, lead agencies
					 may set a different standard as specified in section
					 3700(b) of this
					 Article.
(e) Soil analysis shall be
					 required to determine the presence or absence of elements essential for plant
					 growth and to determine those soluble elements that may be toxic to plants, if
					 the soil has been chemically altered or if the growth media consists of other
					 than the native topsoil. If soil analysis suggests that fertility levels or
					 soil constituents are inadequate to successfully implement the revegetative
					 program, fertilizer or other soil amendments may be incorporated into the soil.
					 When native plant materials are used, preference shall be given to slow-release
					 fertilizers, including mineral and organic materials that mimic natural
					 sources, and shall be added in amounts similar to those found in reference
					 soils under natural vegetation of the type being reclaimed.
(f) Temporary access for exploration or other
					 short-term uses on arid lands shall not disrupt the soil surface except where
					 necessary to gain safe access. Barriers shall be installed when necessary to
					 gain safe access. Barriers shall be installed when necessary to prevent
					 unauthorized vehicular traffic from interfering with the reclamation of
					 temporary access routes.
(g) Native
					 plant species shall be used for revegetation, except when introduced species
					 are necessary to meet the end uses specified in the approved reclamation plan.
					 Areas to be developed for industrial, commercial, or residential use shall be
					 revegetated for the interim period, as necessary, to control erosion. In this
					 circumstance, non-native plant species may be used if they are not noxious
					 weeds and if they are species known not to displace native species in the
					 area.
(h) Planting shall be
					 conducted during the most favorable period of the year for plant
					 establishment.
(i) Soil stabilizing
					 practices shall be used where necessary to control erosion and for successful
					 plant establishment. Irrigation may be used when necessary to establish
					 vegetation.
(j) If irrigation is
					 used, the operator must demonstrate that the vegetation has been
					 self-sustaining without irrigation for a minimum of two years prior to release
					 of the financial assurances by the lead agency, unless an artificially
					 maintained landscape is consistent with the approved end use.
(k) Noxious weeds shall be managed:
(1) when they threaten the success of the
					 proposed revegetation;
(2) to
					 prevent spreading to nearby areas; and
(3) to eliminate fire
					 hazard.