Illinois Administrative Code
Title 62 - MINING
Part 1817 - PERMANENT PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS - UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1817.102 - Backfilling and Grading: General Grading Requirements
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) Disturbed areas shall be backfilled and graded to:
b) Spoil, except as provided in subsection (l), and except excess spoil disposed of in accordance with Sections 1817.71 through 1817.74, shall be returned to the mined-out area.
c) Spoil and waste materials shall be compacted to ensure stability or to prevent leaching of toxic materials.
d) Spoil may be placed on the area outside the mined-out area in nonsteep slope areas to restore the approximate original contour by blending the spoil into the surrounding terrain if the following requirements are met:
e) Disposal of coal processing waste and underground development waste in the mined-out area shall be in accordance with Sections 1817.81 and 1817.83, except that a long-term static safety factor of 1.3 shall be achieved.
f) Exposed coal seams, acid- and toxic-forming materials, and combustible materials exposed, used, or produced during mining shall be adequately covered with nontoxic and noncombustible material, or treated, to control the impact on surface and ground water in accordance with Section 1817.41, to prevent sustained combustion, and to be in compliance with the revegetation requirements of Section 1817.111(a) and the approved post-mining land use.
g) Cut-and-fill terraces may be allowed by the Department where:
h) Small depressions may be constructed if they are needed to minimize erosion, create and enhance wildlife habitat, or assist revegetation by retaining moisture, in accordance with Sections 1817.71, 1817.95, 1817.97 and 1817.111.
i) Permanent impoundments may be approved if they meet the requirements of Sections 1817.49 and 1817.56.
j) Preparation of final graded surfaces shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes erosion in accordance with Section 1817.45 and provides a surface for replacement of topsoil that will minimize slippage such as discing and scarification.
k) The post-mining slope may vary from the approximate original contour when approval is obtained from the Department for:
l) Regrading of settled and revegetated fills to achieve approximate original contour at the conclusion of underground mining activities shall not be required if the conditions of subsection (l)(1) or (l)(2) are met.