§ 77.512. Removal.
(a) Topsoil shall be removed from the areas to be disturbed, including the haul road area in a separate layer prior to drilling—except exploratory drilling—blasting, mining or other surface disturbance.
(b) On areas that have been previously affected by mining and which have no available topsoil or subsoil, sufficient material best suited to support vegetation shall be segregated, conserved and redistributed as the final surface layer.
(c) If topsoil is less than 12 inches, a 12-inch layer which includes the topsoil and the unconsolidated materials immediately below the topsoil shall be removed, segregated, conserved and replaced as the final surface soil layer. If the topsoil and the unconsolidated material measure less than 12 inches, the topsoil and unconsolidated material shall be removed, segregated, conserved and replaced as the final surface soil layer.
(d) The B horizon and portions of the C horizon, or other underlying layers demonstrated to have qualities for comparable root development, shall be segregated and replaced as subsoil if either of these is necessary to ensure soil productivity consistent with the approved postmining land use.
Source The provisions of this § 77.512 adopted March 16, 1990, effective March 17, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 1643.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 77.456 (relating to reclamation information); and 25 Pa. Code § 77.513 (relating to storage).
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