Md. Code Regs. 26.20.02.16

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 26.20.02.16 - Subsidence Control Plan

A subsidence control plan, if required under Regulation .15 of this chapter, shall include:

A. A detailed description of the mining method and other measures to be taken which may affect subsidence, including:

(1) The technique of coal removal, such as longwall mining, room and pillar with pillar removal, hydraulic mining, or other methods, including the size, sequence, and timing for the development of underground workings;

(2) A description of the physical conditions, such as depth of cover, seam thickness, and lithology, which affect the likelihood or extent of subsidence and subsidence-related damage; and

(3) A map of the underground workings which describes the location and extent of all areas when:

(a) Planned subsidence mining methods will be used, and

(b) Subsidence prevention or damage mitigation methods described in §B of this regulation will be used;

B. A detailed description of the measures to be taken to prevent subsidence from causing material damage or lessening the value or reasonably foreseeable use of the surface, including:

(1) The anticipated effects of planned subsidence, if any;

(2) Measures, if any, to be taken in the mine to reduce the likelihood of subsidence, including such measures as:

(a) Backstowing or backfilling of voids,

(b) Leaving support pillars of coal, and

(c) Areas in which no coal removal is planned, including a description of the overlying area to be protected by leaving coal in place,

(3) Measures to be taken on the surface to prevent material damage or lessening of the value or reasonably foreseeable use of the surface including such measures as:

(a) Reinforcement of sensitive structures or features,

(b) Installation of footers designed to reduce damage caused by movement,

(c) Change of location of pipelines, utility lines, or other features,

(d) Relocation of movable improvements to sites outside the angle of draw, and

(e) Monitoring to determine the commencement and degree of subsidence so that other appropriate measures can be taken to prevent or reduce material damage;

C. A detailed description of the measures to be taken to mitigate the effects of any material damage or diminution of value or foreseeable use of lands which may occur, including one or more of the following:

(1) Restoration or rehabilitation of structures and features, including approximate land-surface contours, to premining conditions;

(2) Replacement of structures destroyed by subsidence;

(3) Purchase of structures before mining and restoration of the land after subsidence to a condition capable of supporting and suitable for the structures and foreseeable land uses;

(4) Purchase of noncancellable insurance policies payable to the surface owner in the full amount of the possible material damage or other comparable measures;

D. If required by the Bureau, a detailed description of measures to be taken to determine the degree of material damage or diminution of value of foreseeable use of the surface, including such measures as:

(1) Presubsidence surveys of all structures and surface features which might be materially damaged by subsidence; and

(2) Monitoring to measure deformations near specified structures or features or otherwise as appropriate for the operation;

E. A description of the measures to be taken in accordance with COMAR 26.20.13.05 a and COMAR 26.20.13.09 a:

(1) To replace adversely affected water supplies; or

(2) To mitigate or remedy any subsidence-related material damage to the land and protected structures; and

F. Other information specified by the Bureau as necessary to demonstrate that the operation will be conducted in accordance with the performance standards of COMAR 26.20.13.

Md. Code Regs. 26.20.02.16

Regulations .16 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.02 a A_B and D_S, respectively. Recodification occurred in April, 1993. For a history of these regulations before April, 1993, see "Administrative History of COMAR 08.13.09 before April, 1993" which follows COMAR 26.2.01.
Regulation .16 amended effective March 14, 2005 (32:5 Md. R. 581)