Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-42-12-.04

Current through October 22, 2024

Section 0400-42-12-.04 - REVEGETATION

(1) Revegetation Plan

Each operator shall submit a Revegetation Plan In accordance with T.C.A. § 59-8-209 and Chapter 0400-42-05. Since most of the area mined for barite will be returned to farmland or pasture, no specific planting requirements are established. However, the plan must provide for stabilization of the area as quickly as possible after it has been mined in order to control erosion and siltation of streams, and to return the area to productive use.

(2) Evaluation of Vegetation Survival.

(a) Inspection and evaluation of vegetation for cover and survival shall be made as soon as it is possible to determine if a satisfactory stand has been established. In no instance shall this vegetative cover check be made until after the completion of the first growing season. A revegetation evaluation report shall be prepared and filed by the inspector.

(b) If the regraded area is planted in row crops, the revegetation inspection may be made and the report filed as soon as the crop germination becomes evident. The Commissioner shall then cause the remainder of the bond to be released.

(3) Standards for Legumes and/or Perennial Grasses.

Standards for legumes and/or perennial grasses shall require at least an eighty percent (80%) ground cover. Bare areas shall not exceed 2.500 square feet (50 feet by 50 feet) in size, nor total more than twenty percent (20%) of the area seeded unless such area are too stony to support vegetation.

(4) Performance Bond.

After the revegetative cover has been inspected and improved, the operator shall submit his final report to the Commissioner and request release of the remaining portion of the performance bond still in force. No revegetation performance bonds will be released until the approved revegetation plan has been carried out unless the Commissioner determines that further efforts reward revegetation are impractical. No revegetation plans will be considered to have been carried out until satisfactory coverage and survival have been obtained.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-42-12-.04

Original rule filed August 2, 2012; effective October 31, 2012. Rule renumbered from 0400-03-12.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 59-8-201 et seq. and 4-5-201 et seq.