Section 324.63518 - Reclamation plan; contentsThe reclamation plan required to be submitted pursuant to this part as part of a permit application shall include details necessary to demonstrate that reclamation required by this part can be accomplished, and shall include all of the following:
(a) Identification of land subject to the surface coal mining operation over the estimated life of that operation and the size, sequence, and timing of any subareas for which it is anticipated that individual permits for surface coal mining will be sought.(b) The condition of the land to be covered by the permit prior to any surface coal mining, including: (i) The uses existing at the time of the application and, if the land has a history of previous mining, the uses that preceded any mining.(ii) The capability of the land, prior to any surface coal mining, to support a variety of uses, giving consideration to soil and foundation characteristics, topography, and vegetative cover and, if applicable, a soil survey prepared pursuant to section 63516(1)(n).(iii) The productivity of the land prior to mining, based on the average yield of food, fiber, forage, or wood products consistent with productivity of similar lands in this state under best management practices.(c) The use proposed to be made of the land following reclamation, including a discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of alternative uses and the relationship of those uses to applicable land use policies and plans. However, if the use made of the land before mining is agricultural and the use proposed to be made of the land following reclamation is other than that agricultural use, the permit shall not be approved by the department without the approval of the legislative body of each local unit of government in which land to be reclaimed is located.(d) A detailed description of how the proposed postmining land use is to be achieved and the necessary support activities that may be needed to achieve that use.(e) The engineering techniques proposed to be used in mining and reclamation and a description of the major equipment to be used. A plan for the control of surface water drainage and of water accumulation; a plan, if appropriate, for backfilling, soil stabilization and compacting, grading, and appropriate revegetation; and a plan for soil reconstruction, replacement, and stabilization, pursuant to the performance standards in section 63527(2)(g) for food, forage, and forest land identified in that section, and an estimate of the cost per acre of the reclamation, including a statement as to how the permittee plans to comply with each of the requirements set out in that section.(f) The actions to be taken to maximize the utilization and conservation of the solid fuel resource being recovered so that mining and any activities related to mining of the land in the future can be minimized.(g) An estimated timetable for the accomplishment of each major step in the reclamation plan.(h) The actions to be taken to make the surface mining and reclamation operations consistent with surface owner plans and applicable land use plans and programs of local units of government.(i) The actions to be taken to comply with applicable air and water quality laws of this state or the United States, rules and regulations of this state or the United States, or local ordinances and with applicable health and safety standards.(j) The action to be taken to develop the reclamation plan in a manner consistent with local physical, environmental, and climatological conditions.(k) The results of test borings that the applicant has made at the proposed permit area or other equivalent information and data in a form satisfactory to the department, including the location of subsurface water, and an analysis of those chemical properties of the coal and overburden that can be expected to have an adverse effect on the environment.(l) An itemized list of land, interests in land, or options on those interests held by the applicant or pending bids by the applicant on interests in land adjacent to the proposed permit area.(m) A detailed description of the actions to be taken during the mining and reclamation process to assure the protection of all of the following:(i) The quality of surface and groundwater systems, both on-site and off-site, from adverse effects of the mining and reclamation process and the rights of present users to that water.(ii) The quantity of surface and groundwater systems, both on-site and off-site, from adverse effects of the mining and reclamation process or to provide alternative sources of water where the protection of quantity cannot be assured.Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995 .