Illinois Administrative Code
Title 62 - MINING
Part 1817 - PERMANENT PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS - UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS
Section 1817.182 - Minor Underground Mine Facilities Not at or Adjacent to the Processing or Preparation Facility or Area
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) This Section sets forth performance standards for minor underground mine facilities not at or adjacent to the processing or preparation facility or area, such as air shafts, fan and ventilation buildings, small support buildings or sheds, access power holes, other small miscellaneous structures, and associated roads. These performance standards and other requirements are the minimum standards which shall be required of such operations, however, the Department will require application of applicable performance standards of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1810 through 1828 and this Part if such minor facilities significantly impact land, air or water resources.
b) Habitats of unique value for fish, wildlife, and other related environmental values shall not be disturbed.
c) The person who utilizes such facilities shall, to the extent practicable, measure important environmental characteristics of the area to be affected during the operations, to minimize environmental damage to the area and to provide supportive information for any permit application that person may submit under 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1785.23.
d) Roads.
e) If excavation, artificial flat areas, or embankments are created during establishment of minor facilities, these areas shall be returned to the approximate original contour promptly after such features are no longer needed for the underground mining activity.
f) If topsoil shall be removed, stored, and redistributed on disturbed areas as necessary to assure successful revegetation or as required by the Department.
g) Revegetation of areas disturbed by the establishment or use of minor facilities shall be performed by the permittee, or his or her agent. All revegetation shall be in compliance with the plan approved by the Department and carried out in a manner that encourages prompt vegetative cover comparable with approved post disturbance land uses.
h) With the exception of small and temporary diversions of overland flow of water around new roads, drill pads, and support facilities, no ephemeral, intermittent or perennial stream shall be diverted during activities in connection with minor underground mine facilities. Overland flow of water shall be diverted in a manner that:
i) Each borehole, well, or other exposed underground opening created must meet the requirements of Sections 1817.13, 1817.14, and 1817.15.
j) All facilities and equipment shall be removed from the disturbed area promptly when they are no longer needed, except for those facilities and equipment that the Department determines may remain to:
k) Such minor facilities shall be utilized in a manner which minimizes disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance, and shall include sediment control measures such as those listed in Section 1817.45 or siltation structures which comply with Section 1817.46. The Department may specify additional measures which shall be adopted by the permittee.
l) Toxic- or acid-forming materials shall be handled and disposed of in accordance with Section 1817.102. If specified by the Department, additional measures shall be adopted by the permittee.