(a) The
minimum depth of soil and soil material to be reconstructed for prime farmland
shall be 48 inches, or a depth equal to the depth of a subsurface horizon in
the natural soil that inhibits root penetration, whichever is shallower. The
Department may specify a depth greater than 48 inches, whenever necessary to
restore productive capacity due to uniquely favorable soil horizons at greater
depths. Soil horizons shall be considered as inhibiting root penetration if
their densities, chemical properties or water-supplying capacities restrict or
prevent penetration by roots of plants common to the vicinity of the permit
area and have little or no beneficial effect on soil productive
capacity.
(b) Soil material shall be
replaced only on land which has been first returned to final grade and
scarified according to §
90.122 (relating to coal refuse
disposal), unless site-specific evidence is provided to and approved by the
Department showing that scarification will not enhance the capability of the
reconstructed soil to achieve equivalent or higher levels of yield.
(c) The soil horizons or other suitable soil
material shall be replaced in a manner that avoids excessive compaction and
creates a reconstructed soil of equal or greater productive capacity than that
which existed before mining.
(d) The
B horizon or other suitable material specified in §
90.162(c) and (d)
(relating to prime farmland: soil removal) shall be replaced to the thickness
needed to meet the requirements of subsection (a).
(e) The A horizon specified in §
90.162(b) shall
be replaced as the final surface soil layer. This surface soil layer shall
equal or exceed the thickness of the original soil, as determined in §
90.45 (relating to prime
farmland), and be replaced in a manner that protects the surface layer from
wind and water erosion before it is seeded or planted.
(f) Nutrients and soil amendments shall be
applied as needed to quickly establish vegetative growth.
Notes
The
provisions of this § 90.164 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.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
86.159 (relating to self-bonding);
25 Pa. Code §
90.45 (relating to prime
farmland); 25 Pa. Code §
90.125 (relating to coal refuse
disposal: construction requirements); 25 Pa. Code §
90.151 (relating to revegetation:
general requirements); 25 Pa. Code §
90.161 (relating to prime
farmland: special requirements); and 25 Pa. Code §
90.162 (relating to prime
farmland: soil removal).
