Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 89.131 - Soil removal(a) Soil materials to be used in the reconstruction of the prime farmland soil shall be removed before drilling, blasting or mining, in accordance with this section and in a manner that prevents mixing or contaminating these materials with undesirable material. Soil materials shall be removed in a manner that erosion is controlled and does not result in air and water pollution.(b) The entire A horizon shall be separately removed from other soil and overburden materials.(c) The B horizon, a combination of the B horizon and the underlying C horizon, or other suitable soil material that will create a reconstructed soil of equal or greater productive capacity than that which existed before mining, shall be separately removed from other topsoil and overburden materials.(d) The underlying C horizons, other strata, or a combination of horizons or other strata, to be used instead of the B horizon, shall be separately removed from other topsoil and overburden materials. When replaced, these combinations shall be equal to or more favorable for plant growth than the B horizon.(e) The minimum depth of soil and soil material to be removed for use in reconstruction of prime farmland soils shall be sufficient to meet the soil replacement requirements of § 89.133(a) (relating to soil replacement).The provisions of this § 89.131 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. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 89.122 (relating to prime farmlands); 25 Pa. Code § 89.132 (relating to soil stockpiling); and 25 Pa. Code § 89.133 (relating to soil replacement).