25 Pa. Code § 87.174 - Steep slope operations
(a) Each
person who conducts or intends to conduct surface mining and reclamation
operations on steep slopes shall comply with this subchapter and this section,
except to the extent a variance is approved under §
87.175 (relating to variance to
contouring).
(b) Debris, from
clearing and grubbing of haul road construction, abandoned or disabled
equipment, spoil material, waste mineral matter or other waste material may not
be placed on the downslope below the bench or mining cut, except for material
used to construct road embankment in accordance with §§
87.160,
87.166 and
87.172 (relating to haul roads and
access roads; haul roads and access roads: restoration; and other
transportation facilities).
(c) The
disturbed area shall be returned to approximate original contours by completely
covering the highwall with compacted spoil and grading the area in accordance
with §§
87.141,
87.142 and
87.144-87.146. The person who conducts
the surface mining and reclamation operation shall demonstrate to the
Department, using standard geotechnical analysis, that the minimum static
factor of safety for the stability of all portions of the reclaimed land is at
least 1.3.
(d) Land above the
highwall may not be disturbed unless the Department finds that the disturbance
facilitates compliance with this subchapter.
(e) Material in excess of that required by
the grading and backfilling provisions of subsection (b) shall be disposed of
in accordance with the requirements of §
87.131 (relating to disposal of
excess spoil).
(f) Woody materials
may not be buried in the backfilled area unless the applicant demonstrates that
the proposed method for disposal of the woody materials will not deteriorate
the stability of the backfilled area as required by subsection (b). Wood may be
chipped and used as mulch if the requirements of §
87.153 (relating to revegetation:
mulching) are met.
Notes
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 87.81 (relating to steep slope operations).
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