Indiana Administrative Code › Title 312 - NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION › Article 25 - COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS › Rule 4 - Permitting Procedures › Section 4-83 - Underground mining permit applications; reclamation plan; general requirements

Current through July 10, 2024
Authority: IC 14-34-2-1
Affected: IC 14-34-10; IC 14-34-11
Sec. 83.
(a) Each
				application shall contain a plan for the reclamation of the lands within the
				proposed permit area, showing how the applicant will comply with IC 14-34-10,
				IC 14-34-11, and the environmental protection performance standards of IC 14-34
				and this article. The plan shall include, at a minimum, all information
				required under sections 83 through 97 of this rule.
(b) Each plan shall contain the following
				information for the proposed permit area:
(1)
				A detailed timetable for the completion of each major step in the reclamation
				plan.
(2) A detailed estimate of
				the cost of reclamation of the proposed operations required to be covered by a
				performance bond under 312 IAC 25-5, with supporting calculations for the
				estimates.
(3) A plan for
				backfilling, soil stabilization, compacting, and grading, with contour maps,
				topographical maps, or cross sections that show the anticipated final surface
				configuration of the proposed permit area in accordance with
				312
				IAC 25-6-112 through
				312
				IAC 25-6-114 and
				312 IAC
				25-6-144.
(4) A plan for removal, storage, and
				redistribution of topsoil, subsoil, and other material to meet the requirements
				of
				312 IAC
				25-6-75. A demonstration of the suitability of topsoil
				substitutes or supplements under
				312 IAC
				25-6-75(c)  shall be based upon
				analysis of the thickness of soil horizons, total depth, pH, buffer pH,
				phosphorous, potassium, percent coarse fragments, texture, and areal extent of
				the different kinds of soils. The requirement to determine percent coarse
				fragments may be waived by an authorized representative of the director, if he
				or she determines that the alternate material is a type of silt-blown, alluvial
				soil for which the analyses of percent coarse fragments would be unnecessary.
				The director 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 substitute or supplements.
(5) A plan for revegetation as required in
				312
				IAC 25-6-115 through
				312
				IAC 25-6-122, including, but not limited to,
				descriptions of the:
(A) schedule of
				revegetation;
(B) species and
				amounts per acre of seeds and seedlings to be used;
(C) methods to be used in planting and
				seeding;
(D) mulching
				techniques;
(E) irrigation, if
				appropriate, and pest and disease control measures, if any;
(F) measures proposed to be used to determine
				the success of revegetation as required in
				312
				IAC 25-6-120 through
				312
				IAC 25-6-122; and
(G) a soil testing plan for evaluation of the
				results of topsoil handling and reclamation procedures related to
				revegetation.
(6) A
				description of the measures to be used to maximize the use and conservation of
				the coal resources as required in
				312 IAC
				25-6-92.
(7) 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
				312 IAC
				25-6-105 and
				312
				IAC 25-6-112 and a description of the contingency
				plans that have been developed to preclude sustained combustion of such
				materials.
(8) 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 boreholes, wells, and other openings within the proposed permit area, in
				accordance with
				312
				IAC 25-6-72 through
				312
				IAC 25-6-74.
(9) A description of steps to be taken to
				comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (
				42 U.S.C.
				7401 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (
				33 U.S.C.
				1251 et seq.), other applicable air and water
				quality laws and regulations, and health and safety standards.