Section 3503 - Surface Mining and Reclamation PracticeThe following are minimum acceptable practices to be followed in surface mining operations:
(a) Soil Erosion Control. (1) The removal of vegetation and overburden, if any, in advance of surface mining shall be kept to the minimum.(2) Stockpiles of overburden and minerals shall be managed to minimize water and wind erosion.(3) Erosion control facilities such as retarding basins, ditches, streambank stabilization, and diking shall be constructed and maintained where necessary to control erosion.(b) Water Quality and Watershed Control. (1) Settling ponds or basins shall be constructed to prevent potential sedimentation of streams at operations where they will provide a significant benefit to water quality.(2) Operations shall be conducted to substantially prevent siltation of ground-water recharge areas.(c) Protection of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. All reasonable measures shall be taken to protect the habitat of fish and wildlife.(d) Disposal of Mine Waste Rock and Overburden. Permanent piles or dumps of mine waste rock and overburden shall be stable and shall not restrict the natural drainage without suitable provisions for diversion.(e) Erosion and Drainage. Grading and revegetation shall be designed to minimize erosion and to convey surface runoff to natural drainage courses or interior basins designed for water storage. Basins that will store water during periods of surface runoff shall be designed to prevent erosion of spillways when these basins have outlet to lower ground.(f) Resoiling. When the reclamation plan calls for resoiling, coarse hard mine waste shall be leveled and covered with a layer of finer material or weathered waste. A soil layer shall then be placed on this prepared surface. Surface mines that did not salvage soil during their initial operations shall attempt, where feasible, to upgrade remaining materials. The use of soil conditioners, mulches, or imported topsoil shall be considered where revegetation is part of the reclamation plan and where such measures appear necessary. It is not justified, however, to denude adjacent areas of their soil, for any such denuded areas must in turn be reclaimed.(g) Revegetation. When the reclamation plan calls for revegetation the available research addressing revegetation methods and the selection of species having good survival characteristics, for the topography, resoiling characteristics, and climate of the mined areas shall be used.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 3503
1. Repealer of former Section 3503, and renumbering and amendment of former Section 3504 to Section 3503 filed 4-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18). For prior history, see Register 82, No. 33. Note: Authority cited: Section 2755, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 2756 and 2757, Public Resources Code.
1. Repealer of former Section 3503, and renumbering and amendment of former Section 3504 to Section 3503 filed 4-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18). For prior history, see Register 82, No. 33.