S.D. Admin. R. 74:29:07:06

Current through Register Vol. 51, page 67, December 16, 2024

Section 74:29:07:06 - Revegetation

Revegetation must meet the following general requirements:

(1) Vegetative species and composition must be appropriate for the postmining land use. The species of vegetation to be used must be described in the reclamation plan, indicating the composition of seed mixtures and plant types and the seeding and planting rates per acre. Vegetative species and composition must be selected in consultation with the local conservation district, the landowner, and the department of game, fish, and parks if wildlife habitat is included as a postmining land use. Introduced, naturalized, or nonnative plant species may be used only if they are suitable for the postmining land use and are approved by the board;

(2) The applicant must develop methods and procedures for revegetation which incorporate reference areas, baseline data comparisons, or other procedures to determine postreclamation revegetation success;

(3) A reference area may serve as a basis for comparatively measuring reclamation success. Reference areas must meet the following requirements:

(a) Be large enough to make comparisons;

(b) Be located in areas where they will not be affected by future mining while serving their designated use;

(c) Be managed in a way that will not cause significant changes in the cover, productivity, species diversity, and composition of the vegetation; and

(d) Be representative of the postmining land use; and

(4) Seeding and planting must be done in accordance with accepted agricultural practices. Affected lands shall be seeded during the first normal period of favorable planting conditions after final topsoil preparation, unless an alternative plan is approved. Any rills or gullies that would preclude successful establishment of vegetation or achievement of the postmining land use must be removed or stabilized.

S.D. Admin. R. 74:29:07:06

14 SDR 111, effective 3/3/1988.

General Authority: SDCL 45-6B-81.

Law Implemented: SDCL 45-6B-39, 45-6B-45.