Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.55

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024

Section 880-X-10C-.55 - Backfilling And Grading: Thick Overburden

(1) The provisions of this Rule apply only where the final thickness is greater than 1.2 of the initial thickness. Initial thickness is the sum of the overburden thickness and coal thickness prior to removal of coal. Final thickness is the product of the overburden thickness prior to removal of coal, times the bulking factor to be determined for each permit area. The provisions of this Rule apply only when surface mining activities cannot be carried out to comply with Rule 880-X-10C-.53 to achieve the approximate original contour.

(2) In surface mining activities where the volume of spoil over the permit area is demonstrated to be more than sufficient to achieve the approximate original contour, surface mining activities shall be conducted to meet, at a minimum, the following standards:

(a) Haul or convey, backfill, and grade all spoil and wastes, not required to achieve the approximate original contour of the permit area, to the lowest practicable grade, to achieve a static factor of safety of 1.3 and cover all acid-forming and other toxic-forming materials;

(b) Haul or convey, backfill, and grade excess spoil and wastes only within the permit area and dispose of such materials in accordance with Rule 880-X-10C-.36;

(c) Haul or convey, backfill, and grade excess spoil and wastes to maintain the hydrologic balance, in accordance with Rules 880-X-10C-.12 - 880-X-10C-.28 and to provide long-term stability by preventing slides, erosion and water pollution;

(d) Haul or convey, backfill, grade, and revegetate wastes and excess spoil to achieve an ecologically sound land use approved by the State Regulatory Authority as compatible with the approved postmining land use for the permit area;

(e) Eliminate all highwalls and depressions by backfilling with spoil and suitable waste materials; and

(f) Meet the revegetation requirements of Rules 880-X-10C-.58 - 880-X-10C-.63 for all disturbed areas.

Author: Randall C. Johnson

Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.55

May 20, 1992; Amended: November 14, 1989; effective: March 7, 1991.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 84, 90, 92, 97.