Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 89.88 - Postmining land use(a) Surface land areas affected by underground mining activities shall be restored, in a timely manner, to conditions that are capable of supporting the use which the areas were capable of supporting before any mining, or to higher or better uses achievable under the criteria and procedures of subsection (c).(b) The premining use of land to which the postmining land use is compared shall be those uses which the land previously supported, if the land had not been previously mined and had been properly managed.(c) Alternative land uses may be approved by the Department after consultation with the landowner or the land management agency having jurisdiction over the lands, if the following apply:(1) The proposed alternative land use is compatible with adjacent land use and, when applicable, with existing local, State or Federal land use policies and plans. When an alternative land use is proposed, the Department will notify authorities with statutory responsibility for land use policies and plans. These authorities shall have 60 days to submit written statements on the proposed alternative land use. Any required approval of local, State or Federal land management agencies, including any necessary zoning or other changes required for the land use, is obtained and remains valid throughout the mining activities.(2) The proposed postmining land use is reasonably likely to be achieved which may be demonstrated by the following or other similar criteria: Specific plans are prepared and submitted to the Department which show the feasibility of the alternative land use as related to projected land use trends and markets, which include a schedule showing how the proposed use will be developed and achieved within a reasonable time after mining, and which show how the use will be sustained. The Department may require appropriate demonstrations to show how the use will be sustained. The Department may require appropriate demonstrations to show that the planned procedures are feasible, reasonable and integrated with mining and reclamation, and that the plans will result in successful reclamation.(3) The proposed uses will neither present actual nor probable hazard to public health, safety or water flow diminution or pollution.(4) The proposed uses will not involve unreasonable delays in reclamation.(5) Necessary approval of measures to prevent adverse effects on fish, wildlife and related environmental values and threatened or endangered plants are obtained from the Department and appropriate State and Federal fish and wildlife management agencies.(6) Proposals to change premining land uses of range, fish and wildlife habitat, forest land, hayland or pasture to a postmining cropland use, when the cropland would require continuous maintenance such as seeding, plowing, cultivation, fertilization or other similar practices to be practicable or to comply with applicable Federal, State and local laws, have been reviewed by the Department to ensure that: (i) There is a firm written commitment by the operator or by the landowner or land manager to provide sufficient crop management after release of applicable performance bonds under Chapter 86, Subchapter F (relating to bonding and insurance requirements) to assure that the proposed postmining cropland use remains practical and reasonable.(ii) There is sufficient water available and committed to maintain crop production.(iii) Topsoil quality and depth are sufficient to support the proposed use.The provisions of this § 89.88 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; amended May 8, 1998, effective 5/9/1998, 28 Pa.B. 2227. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.37 (relating to criteria for permit approval or denial); 25 Pa. Code § 86.151 (relating to period of liability); 25 Pa. Code § 86.172 (relating to criteria for release of bond); 25 Pa. Code § 86.174 (relating to standards for release of bonds); 25 Pa. Code § 88.492 (relating to minimum requirements for reclamation and operation plan); 25 Pa. Code § 88.493 (relating to minimum environmental protection performance standards); 25 Pa. Code § 89.71 (relating to general requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 89.142a (relating to subsidence control: performance standards); and 25 Pa. Code § 89.173 (relating to performance standards).