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350.410 Restoration of approximate original contour.
Except as provided in KRS 350.450(2)(a) to (e), the permittee, operator, or person
shall with respect to all surface coal mining operations backfill, compact (where
advisable to insure stability or to prevent leaching of toxic materials), and grade in
order to restore the approximate original contour of the land with all highwalls, spoil
piles, and depressions eliminated (unless small depressions are needed in order to
retain moisture to assist revegetation or as otherwise authorized pursuant to this
chapter); provided, however, that in surface coal mining which is carried out at the
same location over a substantial period of time where the operation transects the
coal deposit, and the thickness of the coal deposits relative to the volume of the
overburden is large and where the permittee or operator demonstrates that the
overburden and other spoil and waste materials at a particular point in the permit
area or otherwise available from the entire permit area is insufficient, giving due
consideration to volumetric expansion, to restore the approximate original contour,
the operator, at a minimum, shall backfill, grade, and compact (where advisable)
using all available overburden and other spoil and waste materials to attain the
lowest practicable grade but not more than the angle of repose, to provide adequate
drainage and to cover all acid-forming and other toxic materials, in order to achieve
an ecologically sound land use compatible with the surrounding region; and,
provided further, that in surface coal mining where the volume of overburden is large
relative to the thickness of the coal deposit and where the permittee or operator
demonstrates that due to volumetric expansion the amount of overburden and other
spoil and waste materials removed in the course of the mining operation is more
than sufficient to restore the approximate original contour, the permittee or operator
shall, after restoring the approximate contour, backfill, grade, and compact (where
advisable) the excess overburden and other spoil and waste materials to attain the
lowest grade but not more than the angle of repose, and to cover all acid-forming
and other toxic materials, in order to achieve an ecologically sound land use
compatible with the surrounding region and that the overburden or spoil shall be
shaped and graded in such a way as to prevent slides, erosion, and water pollution
and shall be revegetated in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
Effective:July 14, 1992
History: Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 429, sec. 24, effective July 14, 1992. -Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 62, sec. 30. -- Created 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 330,
sec. 3, effective May 3, 1978.
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