(a) All topsoil
shall be removed from the areas to be disturbed in a separate layer prior to
drilling, blasting, mining or other surface disturbance. A vegetative cover
which would interfere with the removal and use of the topsoil shall be removed
prior to topsoil removal.
(b) In the
event removal of vegetative matter, topsoil or other materials may result in
erosion which may cause air or water pollution, the size of the area from which
topsoil is removed at any one time shall be limited and other measures shall be
taken that the Department may approve or require to control erosion.
(c) If topsoil is less than 12 inches (30.48
centimeters), a 12-inch (30.48 centimeters) 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 (30.48
centimeters), the topsoil and all unconsolidated material shall be removed,
segregated, conserved and replaced as the final surface soil layer.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f)
When approved by the Department in writing, other materials may be substituted
for or used as a supplement to topsoil if the operator demonstrates that the
resulting soil medium is equal to or more suitable than topsoil for sustaining
vegetation and soil productivity. In making this demonstration, the Department
may require chemical and physical analyses of the substituted material and
topsoil. These analyses may include determinations of pH, net acidity or
alkalinity, phosphorus, potassium, texture class, field site trials or
greenhouse tests, or other analyses as required by the
Department.
Notes
The
provisions of this § 87.97 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789,
effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B.
2382; amended July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective
7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382;
amended May 8, 1998, effective 5/9/1998, 28 Pa.B.
2227.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
87.68 (relating to reclamation
information); 25 Pa. Code §
87.98 (relating to topsoil:
storage); 25 Pa. Code §
87.131 (relating to disposal of
excess spoil); 25 Pa. Code §
87.166 (relating to haul roads and
access roads: restoration); and 25 Pa. Code §
87.209 (relating to criteria and
schedule for release of bonds on pollution abatement
areas).
