Section 90.124. Coal refuse disposal: site inspection

(a) The coal refuse disposal area shall be inspected for stability by a qualified registered engineer or other qualified specialist under the direction of the qualified registered professional engineer at least quarterly throughout construction and during the following critical construction periods: removal of organic material and topsoil; placement of under- drain and protective filter systems; installation of surface drainage systems; placement and compaction of fill materials; and revegetation. The professional engineer or other qualified professional specialist shall be experienced in the construction of earth and rock fill embankments. The registered engineer or other qualified professional specialist shall provide to the Department a certified report within 2 weeks after each inspection that the fill has been constructed as specified in the design approved by the Department. A copy of the report shall be retained at the coal refuse disposal site.

(b) If an inspection discloses that potential hazard exists, the Department shall be informed promptly of the findings and the actions to abate the potential hazard.

(c) If an inspection discloses that an imminent danger exists, the Department shall be informed promptly of the findings and of the emergency procedures formulated for public protection and remedial action. The permittee shall immediately notify the appropriate emergency agencies and residents immediately downstream of the affected area.

(d) The certified report on underdrains and protective filter systems required under subsection (a) shall include color photographs taken during and after construction, but before underdrains are covered with coal refuse. If the underdrain system is constructed in phases, each phase shall be certified separately. Photographs shall be taken in adequate size and number with enough terrain or other physical features of the site shown to provide a relative scale to the photographs and to specifically and clearly identify the site.

The provisions of this § 90.124 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 15, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3383, effective July 27, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 3316. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (149049) to (149050).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 90.39 (relating to ponds, impoundments, banks, dams, embankments, piles and fills); 25 Pa. Code § 90.125 (relating to coal refuse disposal: construction requirements); and 25 Pa. Code § 90.130 (relating to coal refuse dams).