Section 90.309. Criteria and schedule for release of bonds on pollution abatement areas

(a) The Department will release up to 50% of the amount of bond for the authorized pollution abatement area if the applicant demonstrates and the Department finds the following:

(1) The coal refuse disposal activities were conducted on the permit area, including the pollution abatement area, under the requirements of the permit and the authorization, Chapter 86 (relating to surface and underground mining: general) and this chapter except as specifically modified by this subchapter.

(2) The operator has satisfactorily completed backfilling, grading, installing the water impermeable cover and drainage control in accordance with the approved reclamation plan.

(3) The operator has properly implemented each step of the pollution abatement plan approved and authorized under this subchapter.

(4) The operator has not caused degradation of the baseline pollution load at any time during the 6 months prior to the submittal of the request for bond release under this subsection and until the bond release is approved as shown by all groundwater and surface water monitoring conducted by the permittee under § 90.306(a)(1) (relating to operational requirements) or conducted by the Department.

(5) The operator has not caused or contributed to surface water pollution or groundwater degradation by reaffecting the pollution abatement area.

(b) The Department will release up to an additional 35% of the amount of bond for the authorized pollution abatement area but retain an amount sufficient to cover the cost to the Department of reestablishing vegetation if completed by a third party if the operator demonstrates and the Department finds the following:

(1) The operator has replaced the topsoil or material conserved under § 90.97 (relating to topsoil: removal), completed final grading, planting and established revegetation under the approved reclamation plan and achieved the standards of success for revegetation in § 90.305(a)(5) (relating to application approval or denial).

(2) The operator has not caused or contributed to groundwater or surface water pollution by reaffecting the pollution abatement area.

(3) The operator has achieved the following standards:

(i) Achieved the actual improvement of the baseline pollution load described in the approved abatement plan as shown by groundwater and surface water monitoring conducted by the permittee for the time provided in the abatement plan after completion of backfilling, final grading, drainage control, topsoiling and establishment of revegetation to achieve the standard for success in § 90.305(a)(5).

(ii) Achieved the following:

(A) At a minimum has not caused degradation of the baseline pollution load as shown by groundwater and surface water monitoring conducted by the operator or the Department for one of the following:

(I) For 12 months from the date of initial bond release under subsection (a), if backfilling, final grading, drainage control, placement of impermeable cover, topsoiling and establishment of revegetation to achieve the standard of success for revegetation in § 90.305(a)(5) have been completed.

(II) If treatment has been initiated at any time after initial bond release under subsection (a) and § 90.307(e) (relating to treatment of discharges), for 12 months from the date of discontinuance of treatment under § 90.307(d), if backfilling, final grading, drainage control, placement of impermeable cover, topsoiling and establishment of revegetation to achieve the standard of success for revegetation in § 90.305(a)(5) have been completed.

(B) Conducted all the measures provided in the approved abatement plan and additional measures specified by the Department in writing at the time of initial bond release under subsection (a) for the area requested for bond release.

(C) Caused aesthetic or other environmental improvements and the elimination of public health and safety problems by engaging in coal refuse disposal activities and reaffecting the pollution abatement area.

(D) Stabilized the pollution abatement area.

(c) The Department will release the remaining portion of the amount of bond on the authorized pollution abatement area if the operator demonstrates and the Department finds the following:

(1) The operator has successfully completed the approved abatement and reclamation plans, and the pollution abatement area is capable of supporting the postdisposal land use approved under § 90.166 (relating to postdisposal land use).

(2) The operator has complied with the permit and the authorization, Chapter 86 and this chapter, except as specifically modified by this subchapter.

(3) The operator has not caused degradation of the baseline pollution load from the time of bond release under subsection (b) or, if treatment has been initiated after bond release under subsection (b) in accordance with § 90.307(e) for 5 years from the discontinuance of treatment under § 90.307(d).

(4) The applicable liability period has expired under § 86.151 (relating to period of liability).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 90.306 (relating to operational requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 90.307 (relating to treatment of discharges); and 25 Pa. Code § 90.308 (relating to request for bond release).