Alabama Administrative Code › Title 880 - ALABAMA SURFACE MINING COMMISSION › Chapter 880-X-8F - SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS PERMITS AND COAL EXPLORATION SURFACE MINING PERMIT APPLICATIONS - REQUIREMENTS FOR RECLAMATION AND OPERATION PLAN › Section 880-X-8F-.09 - Reclamation Plan: General Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Each application shall contain a plan for reclamation of the lands within the proposed permit area, showing how the applicant will comply with the environmental protection performance standards in Rule 880-X-10C.
(2) Each plan shall contain the following information for the proposed permit area --
(a) A detailed timetable for the completion of each major step in the reclamation plan;
(b) An estimate of the cost per acre of reclamation of the proposed operations required to be covered by a performance bond under Chapter 880-X-9 of these regulations, with supporting calculations for the estimates;
(c) A plan for backfilling, soil stabilization, compacting, and grading, with contour maps or cross sections that show the anticipated final surface configuration of the proposed permit area, in accordance with Rules 880-X-10C-.52 - 880-X-10C-.57;
(d) A plan for removal, storage, and redistribution of topsoil, subsoil and other material to meet the requirements of Rules 880-X-10C-.07 - 880-X-10C-.11. A demonstration of the suitability of topsoil substitutes or supplements shall be based upon analysis of the thickness of soil horizons, total depth, texture, percent coarse fragments, pH, and areal extent of the different kinds of soils. The Regulatory Authority may require other chemical and physical analyses, field-site trials, or greenhouse tests if determined to be necessary or desirable to demonstrate the suitability of the topsoil substitutes or supplements.
(e) A plan for revegetation as required in Rules 880-X-10C-.58 - 880-X-10C-.63 and 880-X-10C-.49(4)(f) - (4)(h), if applicable, including, but not limited to, descriptions of the --
1. Schedule of revegetation;
2. Species and amounts per acre of seeds and seedlings to be used;
3. Methods to be used in planting and seeding;
4. Mulching techniques;
5. Irrigation, if appropriate, and pest and disease control measures, if any;
6. Measures proposed to be used to determine the success of revegetation as required in Rule 880-X-10C-.62; and
7. A soil testing plan for evaluation of the results of topsoil handling and reclamation procedures related to revegetation.
(f) A description of steps to be taken to comply with the performance standards relating to fish and wildlife contained in Rule 880-X-10C-.49. This description shall include but not be limited to any relevant onsite and/or published background information necessary to achieve compliance with Rule 880-X-10C-.49;
(g) A description of the measures to be used to maximize the use and conservation of the coal resource as required in Rule 880-X-10C-.29;
(h) A description of measures to be employed to ensure that all debris acid-forming and toxic-forming materials, and materials constituting a fire hazard are disposed of in accordance with Rules 880-X-10C-.45 and 880-X-10C-.54 and a description of the contingency plans which have been developed to preclude sustained combustion of such materials;
(i) A description, including appropriate cross sections and maps, of the measures to be used to seal or manage mine openings, and to plug, case, or manage exploration holes, other bore holes, wells, and other openings within the proposed permit area in accordance with  30 CFR 75.1711  and Rules 880-X-10C-.04 - 880-X-10C-.06; and
(j) A description of steps to be taken to comply with the requirements of applicable water quality laws and regulations and health and safety standards.
Author:
Randall C. Johnson