Md. Code Regs. 26.20.27.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 21, October 18, 2024

Section 26.20.27.02 - Site Inspections

A. A qualified registered professional engineer, or other qualified professional specialist under the direction of the professional engineer, shall inspect the coal mine waste disposal facility during construction. The professional engineer or specialist shall be experienced in the construction of similar earth and waste structures.

B. Inspections shall be made at least quarterly throughout construction and during critical construction periods. Critical construction periods shall include at a minimum:

(1) Foundation preparation including the removal of all organic material and topsoil;

(2) Placement of underdrains and protective filter systems;

(3) Installation of final surface drainage systems; and

(4) The final graded and revegetated facility.

C. Regular inspections by the engineer or specialist shall be conducted during placement and compaction of coal mine waste materials. More frequent inspections shall be conducted if a danger of harm exists to the public health and safety or the environment. Inspections shall continue until the waste disposal facility has been finally graded and revegetated or until a later time as required by the Bureau.

D. The qualified registered professional engineer shall provide a certified report to the Bureau within 10 days after each inspection stating that the waste disposal facility has been constructed and maintained as designed and in accordance with the approved plan and this subtitle. The report shall include appearances of instability, structural weakness, and other hazardous conditions.

E. The certified report on the drainage system and protective filters shall include color photographs taken during and after construction, but before underdrains are covered with coal mine waste. If the underdrain system is constructed in phases, each phase shall be certified separately. The photographs accompanying each certified report shall be taken in adequate size and number with enough terrain or other physical features of the site shown to provide a relative scale to the photographs and to specifically and clearly identify the site.

F. A copy of each inspection report shall be retained at or near the mine site.

G. If any inspection discloses that a potential hazard exists, the Bureau shall be informed immediately of the findings and of emergency procedures considered necessary for public protection and remedial action. If adequate procedures cannot be immediately implemented, the Bureau shall notify appropriate emergency agencies of the need for measures to protect the public.

Md. Code Regs. 26.20.27.02

Regulations .02 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.33 a A_K, respectively. Recodification occurred in April, 1993. For a history of these regulations before April, 1993, see "Administrative History of COMAR 08.13.09 before April, 1993" which follows COMAR 26.20.01.