N.M. Admin. Code § 19.8.20.2035

Current through Register Vol. 36, No. 1, January 14, 2025

Section 19.8.20.2035 - DISPOSAL OF EXCESS SPOIL: VALLEY FILLS

Valley fills shall meet all of the requirements of 19.8.20.2034 NMAC and the additional requirements of 19.8.20 NMAC.

A. The fill shall be designed to attain a long-term static safety factor of 1.5 based upon data obtained from subsurface exploration, geotechnical testing, foundation design, and accepted engineering analyses.

B. Unless the director finds that a subdrainage system is not required for environmental protection, a subdrainage system for the fill shall be constructed in accordance with the following:

(1) A system of underdrains constructed of durable rock shall meet the requirements of Paragraph (4) of Subsection B of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC and:

(a) be installed along the natural drainage system;

(b) extend from the toe to the head of the fill; and

(c) contain lateral drains to each area of potential drainage or seepage.

(2) A filter system to insure the proper functioning of the rock underdrain system shall be designed and constructed using standard geotechnical engineering methods.

(3) In constructing the underdrains, the rock size and size of the main underdrain will be designed to meet the conditions at the site as determined by data called for in Subsection A of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC. If site specific engineering design criteria are not submitted, the following criteria will be used. In constructing the underdrains, no more than 10 percent of the rock may be less than 12 inches in size and no single rock may be larger than 25 percent of the width of the drain. Rock used in underdrains shall meet the requirements of Paragraph (4) of Subsection B of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC. The minimum size of the main underdrain shall be:

Total amount of Predominant type of Minimum size of

fill material fill material drain, in feet

Width Height

1,000,000 yd³ Sandstone 10 4

1,000,000 yd³ Shale 16 8

1,000,000 yd³ Sandstone 16 8

1,000,000 yd³ Shale 16 16

(4) Underdrains shall consist of nondegradable, non-acid or toxic forming rock such as natural sand and gravel, sandstone, limestone, or other durable rock that will not slake in water and will be free of coal, clay or shale.

C. Spoil shall be hauled or conveyed and placed in a controlled manner and concurrently compacted as specified by the director, in lifts no greater than 4 feet or less if required by the director to:

(1) achieve the densities designed to ensure mass stability;

(2) prevent mass movement;

(3) avoid contamination of the rock underdrain or rock core; and

(4) prevent formation of voids.

D. Surface water runoff from the area above the fill shall be diverted away from the fill and into stabilized diversion channels designed to pass safely the runoff from a 100-year, 6-hour precipitation event or larger event specified by the director. Surface runoff from the fill surface shall be diverted to stabilized channels off the fill which will safely pass the runoff from a 100 year, 6-hour precipitation event. Diversion design shall comply with the requirements of 19.8.20.2011 NMAC.

E. The tops of the fill and any terrace constructed to stabilize the face shall be graded no steeper than 1v:20h (5 percent). The vertical distance between terraces shall not exceed 50 feet.

F. Drainage shall not be directed over the outslope of the fill.

G. The outslope of the fill shall not exceed 1v:2h (50 percent). The director may require a flatter slope.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.8.20.2035

11-29-97; 19.8.20.2035 NMAC - Rn, 19 NMAC 8.2.20.2035, 9-29-2000