Subchapter E. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND RECLAMATION
Sec.
275.401. [Reserved].
ADDITIONAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
275.411. General requirements.
275.412. Site characteristics.
275.413. Application to soil.
275.414. Weather.
275.415. Revegetation.
275.416. Water quality monitoring.
275.417. Soil-pore water monitoring.
275.418. Soil analysis.
Cross References This subchapter cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.311 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.401. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 275.401 reserved January 24, 1997, effective May 27, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 521. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (126264).
ADDITIONAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
§ 275.411. General requirements.
In addition to the requirements of Subchapter C (relating to general operating requirements for the land application of sewage sludge), a person or municipality that has obtained a land reclamation permit for the surface land application of sewage sludge shall comply with this section and § § 275.412—275.418.
§ 275.412. Site characteristics.
No person or municipality may apply sewage sludge under a land reclamation permit unless the site complies with the following:
(1) Slopes to be utilized for sludge application do not exceed 20%. The Department may approve slopes of up to 35% in the permit if the applicant demonstrates to the Department’s satisfaction that the slopes will not cause erosion or offsite runoff.
(2) Soil pH is 6.5 or greater prior to sludge application unless the Department in the permit allows the operator to increase pH by application of sludge or other material. In that case, soil pH shall be 6 or greater at the end of the first year following the initial application of sludge and 6.5 or greater at the end of the second year following the initial application of sludge.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (2), soil pH at the site shall be maintained at 6.5 or greater during the life of application operations and for 2 additional years following final sludge application.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.413. Application to soil.
The operator shall incorporate sewage sludge into the soil within 24 hours following surface application.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.414. Weather.
(a) The operator may not apply sewage sludge:
(1) When the ground is saturated, snow covered, frozen or during periods of rain.
(2) Between October 15 and April 15.
(b) The Department may approve the storage of sewage sludge between October 15 and May 30 in the permit if the operator makes a satisfactory demonstration under Chapter 285, Subchapter A (relating to storage of municipal waste). The storage may not exceed in amount the sludge necessary to reclaim the permitted area that was prepared for sewage sludge application prior to October 15.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.415. Revegetation.
(a) Vegetation shall be established on land affected by land reclamation.
(b) Revegetation shall provide for an effective and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area of land to be affected and capable of self-regeneration and plant succession. Introduced species may be used in the revegetation process if approved by the Department in the revegetation plan. Vegetative cover shall be considered of the same seasonal variety when it consists of a mixture of species that is of equal or superior utility to native vegetation during each season of the year.
(c) Revegetation shall provide a quick germinating, fast-growing vegetative cover capable of stabilizing the soil surface from erosion.
(d) Disturbed areas shall be seeded and planted when weather and planting conditions permit but the seeding and planting of disturbed areas shall be performed no later than the first normal period for favorable planting after final grading and sludge application.
(e) Mulch shall be applied to regraded areas at rates adequate to control erosion, promote germination of seeds and increase the moisture retention of the soil.
(f) The standard for successful revegetation shall be the percent ground cover of the vegetation which exists on undisturbed lands that are nearby or adjacent to the area where land reclamation is proposed. The Department will not approve less than 70% ground cover of permanent plant species. No more than 1% of the area may have less than 30% ground cover. No single or contiguous area exceeding 3,000 square feet may have less than 30% ground cover.
(g) The Department may require a chemical analysis of the vegetation.
(h) Vegetation may not be harvested for 2 years following the application of sewage sludge, unless otherwise approved by the Department.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.416. Water quality monitoring.
If required by the Department, the operator shall conduct groundwater monitoring that meets the requirements of § § 275.521—275.528, or another plan for accurately monitoring groundwater that is approved in the permit.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.417. Soil-pore water monitoring.
If required by the Department, the operator shall conduct soil-pore water monitoring that meets the requirements of § 275.515 (Reserved), or another plan for accurately monitoring soil-pore water that is approved in the permit.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
§ 275.418. Soil analysis.
If the land to which sewage sludge is applied will be used for agriculture, the operator shall conduct a soil analysis 2 years after the application of sewage sludge to the land. The soil analysis shall be consistent with § 275.222(b)(6) (relating to annual operation report).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 275.411 (relating to general requirements).
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