Section 90.202. General requirements

(a) A preferred site shall be used for coal refuse disposal unless the applicant demonstrates to the Department that an alternate site is more suitable based upon engineering, geology, economics, transportation systems, and social factors and is not adverse to the public interest.

(b) The applicant is required to determine whether the search area contains a preferred site.

(1) For a new coal refuse disposal area that will support an existing coal preparation facility, the applicant shall examine the geographic area within a 1-mile radius of the existing coal preparation facility.

(2) For a proposed coal refuse disposal area that will support a proposed coal preparation facility, the applicant shall examine a 25-square mile geographic area encompassing the proposed coal preparation facility. In defining the 25-square mile area, consideration shall be given to environmental, technical, transportation, economic and social factors where applicable.

(c) If there are no preferred sites located within the search area, the applicant shall conduct a comparative analysis of the potential coal refuse disposal sites in accordance with § 90.204(b) (relating to proposing an alternate site).

(d) The Department will not approve a site proposed by the applicant for coal refuse disposal activities when the Department finds that the adverse environmental impacts of using the site for coal refuse disposal activities would clearly outweigh the public benefits.

(e) Except on preferred sites, the Department will not approve coal refuse disposal on or within any of the following areas:

(1) Prime farmlands.

(2) An exceptional value watershed as defined under Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards).

(3) Sites known to contain threatened or endangered animals listed exclusively under the Commonwealth’s protection programs.

(4) An area that is hydrologically connected to and contributes at least 5% of the drainage to wetlands designated as exceptional value under Chapter 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management) unless a larger percentage contribution is authorized by the Department after consultation with the Fish and Boat Commission.

(5) A watershed less than 4 square miles in area upstream of the intake of a public water supply.

(6) A watershed less than 4 square miles in area upstream of the upstream limit of a public recreational impoundment.

(7) Sites known to contain Federally listed threatened or endangered plants or animals. At preferred sites known to contain Federally listed threatened or endangered species, approval will be granted only when the Department concludes and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service concurs that the proposed activity is not likely to adversely affect Federally listed threatened or endangered species or result in the take of Federally listed threatened or endangered species in violation of section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.A. § 1538).

(f) As part of the site selection process, an applicant may request approval for more than one site. The Department will evaluate each site proposed for coal refuse disposal and, if the Department finds that a proposed site meets the requirements of this subchapter, it will designate it as an approved site. The applicant will then have the option of choosing a selected site from among the approved sites and submitting an application for coal refuse disposal for that site.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 90.203 (relating to proposing a preferred site); 25 Pa. Code § 90.204 (relating to proposing an alternate site); and 25 Pa. Code § 90.205 (relating to alternatives analysis).