Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION › Subchapter 17.24.6 - Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act: Transportation Facilities, Use of Explosives, and Hydrology › Rule 17.24.601 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ROAD AND RAILROAD LOOP CONSTRUCTION

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) Roads through permitted areas must not
				delay or prevent recontouring and revegetation on immediately adjacent spoils,
				unless otherwise approved by the department for documented and justified
				reasons related to the needs of the mining operation or improved
				reclamation.
(2) Access and haul
				roads must be graded, constructed, and maintained according to sound
				engineering and construction practices to incorporate appropriate limits for
				grade, width, surface material, surface-drainage control, culvert placement,
				and any other design criteria established by the department.
(3) Cut slopes must not be more than 1v:1.5h
				in unconsolidated materials or 1v:0.25h in rock.
(4) Temporary erosion-control measures must
				be utilized as necessary during construction to control sedimentation and
				minimize erosion until permanent control measures can be established.
(5) All cut and fill slopes must be resoiled
				and revegetated, or otherwise stabilized, at the first seasonal
				opportunity.
(6) To the extent
				possible using the best technology currently available (BTCA), roads and
				railroad loops must not cause damage to fish, wildlife, and related
				environmental values and must not cause additional contributions of suspended
				solids to streamflow or to runoff outside the permit area or otherwise degrade
				the quantity or quality of surface or ground water.
(7) Roads and railroad loops must not be
				built with or surfaced with waste coal, or acid, acid-producing, toxic, or
				toxic-producing materials. Surface material must be suitable for the
				anticipated volume, weight, and speed of traffic.
(8) Following construction or reconstruction
				of each haul road, access road, and railroad loop, the operator shall submit to
				the department a report, prepared by a qualified licensed professional engineer
				experienced in the design and construction of roads or railroad loops, as
				applicable, stating that the road or railroad loop was constructed or
				reconstructed in accordance with the plan approved pursuant to ARM
				17.24.321.
(9) All appropriate methods, as approved by
				the department must be employed by the operator to prevent loss of road surface
				material in the form of dust.
(10)
				Immediately upon abandonment of any road or railroad loop, the area must be
				reclaimed in accordance with the approved plan. If necessary, embankment and
				fill materials must be hauled away and disposed of properly. All bridges and
				culverts must be removed and natural drainage patterns restored. Adequate
				measures must be taken to prevent erosion.
(11) Upon completion of mining and
				reclamation activities, each road and railroad loop must be reclaimed unless
				retention of the road or railroad loop is part of the approved postmining land
				use pursuant to ARM
				17.24.762 and the landowner
				requests in writing and the department concurs that the road, railroad loop, or
				specified portion(s) thereof be retained. In such event, necessary maintenance
				must be assured by the operator or landowner and drainage of the road or
				railroad loop must be controlled according to the provisions of ARM
				17.24.601 through
				17.24.610 while the road or
				railroad loop is under permit.
AUTH:
					 82-4-205, MCA; IMP:
					 82-4-231,
					 82-4-232,
					 MCA