Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 89.72 - Land use information(a) The reclamation plan shall contain a statement of the condition, capability and productivity of lands greater than 5 acres which will be affected by surface operations and facilities within the proposed permit area, including the following: (1) A map and supporting narrative of the uses of the land existing at the time of the filing of the application. If the premining use of the land was changed within 5 years before the anticipated date of beginning the proposed operations, the historic use of the land shall also be described.(2) A narrative of land capability and productivity, which analyzes the land use description under this subsection in conjunction with other environmental resources information required under this chapter. The narrative shall provide analysis of the following:(i) The capability of the land before any mining to support a variety of uses, giving consideration to soil and foundation characteristics, topography, vegetative cover and the hydrology of the area proposed to be affected by surface operations or facilities.(ii) When applicable, the productivity of the area proposed to be affected by surface operations and facilities before mining, expressed as average yield of food, fiber, forage or wood products from the lands obtained under high levels of management. The productivity shall be determined by yield data, estimates for similar sites or predictions based on current data from the United States Department of Agriculture or the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.(b) The plan shall contain a description of the existing land uses and land use classifications under local law, if any, of the proposed permit and adjacent areas.The provisions of this §89.72 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382.