Illinois Administrative Code
Title 62 - MINING
Part 1823 - SPECIAL PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS - OPERATIONS ON PRIME FARMLAND
Section 1823.14 - Prime Farmland: Soil Replacement
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
Surface coal mining and reclamation operations on prime farmland shall be conducted according to the following:
a) Requirements
b) Replace soil material only on land which has been first returned to final grade and scarified according to 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.101 through 1816.105 or 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1817.101 through 1817.105, unless site-specific evidence is provided and approved by the Department showing that scarification will not enhance the capability of the recommended soil to achieve equivalent or higher levels of yield;
c) Replace the soil horizons or other suitable soil material in a manner that avoids excessive compaction;
d) Replace the B horizon or other suitable material specified in Section 1823.12(a)(2) and (a)(3) to the thickness needed to meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section. In those areas where the B or C horizons were not removed but may have been compacted or otherwise damaged during the mining operation, the permittee shall engage in deep tillage or other appropriate means to restore pre-mining capabilities;
e) Replace the A horizon or other suitable soil materials specified in Section 1823.12(a)(1) as the final surface soil layer. This surface soil layer shall equal or exceed the thickness of the original soil, as determined in 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1785.17(b)(1)(B) and be replaced in a manner that protects the surface layer from wind and water erosion before it is seeded or planted;
f) Apply nutrients and soil amendments as needed to quickly establish vegetative growth;
g) Prime farmland shall have a planned erosion control system if expected soil loss from row crop production will exceed the tolerable soil loss limits as defined by "Resource Conservation Planning Technical Material-IL-4" (May 12, 1977). "Resource Conservation Planning Technical Material-IL-4", issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, located at 1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820, is hereby incorporated by reference and does not include later editions or amendments. Terrace systems, when utilized as part of a planned erosion control system, shall be constructed according to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service specifications. Erosion control plans in compliance with this subsection shall be submitted to and approved by the Department after final grading based on seasonal factors, the extent of the area, and the sophistication of the erosion control plan.