§ 89.71. General requirements.
(a) The application shall contain a reclamation plan for lands which have been or will be disturbed in support of the underground mining activities. The reclamation plan shall include, at a minimum, the information required in this subchapter, and shall be designed and implemented to achieve the performance standards in this subchapter.
(b) The reclamation plan shall contain the following information:
(1) A timetable for the completion of each major step in the reclamation plan.
(2) An estimate of the cost of the reclamation of the proposed operations required to be covered by a performance bond under this title, with supporting calculations for the estimates.
(3) A plan for mine closure. The plan shall describe how mine closure shall achieve compliance with the performance standards of this chapter and the requirements of the acts. The description shall include a discussion of the hydrologic effects of closure based on conditions at the time of closure. The plan shall also contain a detailed description of each opening into the mine, including drifts, slopes, shafts and boreholes. The description of each opening shall include:
(i) The location on a USGS topographic map.
(ii) The elevation of the opening at the surface and at the coal seam.
(iii) A drawing which shows the details of the actual construction features.
(iv) Whether the opening is open, temporarily closed or permanently sealed at the time of submittal of the reclamation plan.
(v) A discussion and drawing of the proposed or existing seals.
(vi) An engineering and hydrologic justification for the proposed seal design.
(4) 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 disturbed area in accordance with the performance standards of this chapter.
(5) A plan for redistribution of topsoil, subsoil and other material to meet the performance standards of this chapter.
(6) A plan for revegetation as required in § 89.86 (relating to revegetation).
(7) A plan for controlling erosion and sedimentation during reclamation.
(c) The plan shall contain a description of the proposed use, following reclamation, of the lands to be affected within the proposed permit area by surface operations or facilities, including a discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of alternative uses, and the relationship of the proposed use to existing land use policies and plans. This description shall explain the following:
(1) The necessary support activities which may be needed to achieve the proposed land use, including the location and use of facilities that will remain after the completion of mining.
(2) When a land use different from the premining land use is proposed, all materials needed for approval of the alternative use under § 89.88 (relating to postmining land use).
(3) The consideration given to making all the proposed underground mining activities consistent with surface owner plans and applicable State and local land use plans and programs.
(d) The description shall be accompanied by a copy of the comments concerning the proposed use from the legal or equitable owner of record of the surface areas to be affected by surface operations or facilities within the proposed permit area, and from the State and local government agencies which would have to initiate, implement, approve or authorize the proposed use of the land following reclamation.
Source The provisions of this § 89.71 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended June 15, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3383, effective July 27, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 3316. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (148940) to (148942).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.149 (relating to determination of bond amount).
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