Section 87.145. Backfilling and grading: covering coal and acid-forming and toxic-forming materials

Unless otherwise approved by the Department, exposed coal seams, acid-forming material, toxic-forming materials and combustible materials, other than coal refuse shall be handled in the following manner:

(1) The material shall be buried above the groundwater table and shall be placed at a minimum of 5 feet above the coal seam and alternated with layers of clean spoil. Each layer of the material may not exceed 24 inches and each layer of nontoxic spoil may not exceed 30 inches. The top layer of nontoxic spoil shall be a minimum thickness of 4 feet.

(2) If necessary, these materials shall be treated to prevent water pollution and combustion and minimize adverse effects on plant growth and land uses.

(3) When necessary to protect against upward migration of salts, exposure by erosion, formation of acid or toxic seeps, to provide an adequate depth for plant growth, or otherwise to meet local conditions, the Department will specify thicker amounts of cover using nontoxic material or special compaction and isolation from groundwater contact.

The provisions of this § 87.145 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.134 (relating to coal exploration performance and design standards); 25 Pa. Code § 87.68 (relating to reclamation information); 25 Pa. Code § 87.104 (relating to stream channel diversions); 25 Pa. Code § 87.110 (relating to hydrologic balance: acid-forming and toxic-forming spoil); 25 Pa. Code § 87.140 (relating to contemporaneous reclamation); 25 Pa. Code § 87.174 (relating to steep slope operations); 25 Pa. Code § 87.175 (relating to variance to contouring); 25 Pa. Code § 87.180 (relating to prime farmland: soil replacement); and 25 Pa. Code § 89.84 (relating to backfilling and grading).