La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § XV-5397

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XV-5397 - Air Resources Protection

A. Fugitive Dust. Each person who conducts surface mining activities shall plan and employ fugitive dust control measures as an integral part of site preparation, coal mining and reclamation operations. The office shall approve the control measures appropriate for use in planning, according to applicable federal and state air quality standards, climate, existing air quality in the area affected by mining, and the available control technology.

B. Control Measures. The fugitive dust control measures to be used, depending on applicable federal and state air quality standards, climate, existing air quality, size of operation and type of operation, shall include, as necessary, but not be limited to:

1. periodic watering of unpaved roads, with the minimum frequency of watering approved by the office;

2. chemical stabilization of unpaved roads with proper application of nontoxic soil cement or dust palliatives;

3. paving of roads;

4. prompt removal of coal, rock, soil and other dust-forming debris from roads and frequent scraping and compaction of unpaved roads to stabilize the road surface;

5. restricting the speed of vehicles to reduce fugitive dust caused by travel;

6. revegetating, mulching or otherwise stabilizing the surface of all areas adjoining roads that are sources of fugitive dust;

7. restricting the travel of unauthorized vehicles on other than established roads;

8. enclosing, covering, watering or otherwise treating loaded haul trucks and railroad cars to reduce loss of material to wind and spillage;

9. substituting conveyor systems for haul trucks and covering conveyor systems when conveyed loads are subjected to wind erosion;

10. minimizing the area of disturbed land;

11. prompt revegetation of regraded lands;

12. use of alternatives for coal handling methods, restriction of dumping procedures, wetting of disturbed materials during handling, and compaction of disturbed areas;

13. planting of special windbreak vegetation at critical points in the permit area;

14. control of dust from drilling using water sprays, hoods, dust collectors or other controls;

15. restricting the areas to be blasted at any one time;

16. restricting activities causing fugitive dust during periods of air stagnation;

17. extinguishing any areas of burning or smoldering coal and periodically inspecting for burning areas whenever the potential for spontaneous combustion is high;

18. reducing the period of time between initially disturbing the soil and revegetating or other surface stabilization;

19. restricting fugitive dust at spoil and coal transfer and loading points with water sprays, negative pressure systems and baghouse filters, chemicals or other practices.

C. Additional Measures. Where the office determines that application of fugitive dust control measures listed in §5397. B is inadequate, the office may require additional measures and practices as necessary.

D. Monitoring. Air monitoring equipment shall be installed and monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the air-monitoring plan required under §2711 and approved by the office.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § XV-5397

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 5:395 (December 1979), amended LR 14:441 (July 1988), LR 20:447 (April 1994).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:901-932.