Section 87.166. Haul roads and access roads: restoration

Unless the Department approves retention of a road as suitable for the approved postmining land use in accordance with § 87.159 (relating to postmining land use), as soon as practicable after the road is no longer needed for the associated surface mining activities:

(1) The road shall be physically closed to vehicular traffic.

(2) The road and adjacent slopes shall be regraded to blend with the natural contours and drainage pattern.

(3) Bridges and culverts shall be removed.

(4) Roadbeds shall be ripped or scarified.

(5) Fill slopes shall be rounded or reduced and shaped to conform the site to adjacent terrain and to meet natural drainage restoration standards.

(6) Cut slopes shall be shaped to blend with the natural contour.

(7) Cross drains, dikes and water bars shall be constructed to minimize erosion.

(8) Terraces shall be constructed as necessary to prevent excessive erosion and to provide long-term stability in cut and fill slopes.

(9) Road surfacing materials shall be removed if the materials are incompatible with the postmining land use and establishment of vegetation.

(10) Disturbed areas shall be covered with topsoil in accordance with § § 87.96—87.100 and revegetated in accordance with § 87.147 (relating to revegetation: general requirements).

(11) Excess material and debris shall be disposed of in a manner approved by the Department.

The provisions of this § 87.166 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; amended June 25, 1993, effective June 26, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 3075; amended May 8, 1998, effective May 9, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2227. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (206851) to (206852).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.134 (relating to coal exploration performance and design standards); 25 Pa. Code § 87.80 (relating to haul roads, access roads and other transportation facilities); 25 Pa. Code § 87.160 (relating to haul roads and access roads); and 25 Pa. Code § 87.174 (relating to steep slope operations).