Ohio Administrative Code
Title 1501:13 - Division of Mineral Resources Management - Coal
Chapter 1501:13-9 - Identification of Mine Area: Environmental Integrity; Postmining Use of Land
Section 1501:13-9-16 - Cessation of operations

(1) Each person who conducts coal mining operations shall effectively secure surface facilities in areas in which there are no current operations, but in which operations are to be resumed under an approved permit. Temporary abandonment shall not relieve a person of his or her obligation to comply with any provisions of the approved plan of mining and reclamation for the permit.

(2) Before temporary cessation of mining and reclamation operations for a period of thirty days or more, or as soon as it is known that a temporary cessation will extend beyond thirty days, a person who conducts coal mining operations shall submit to the chief a notice of intention to cease or abandon mining and reclamation operations. This notice shall include a statement of the exact number of acres which will have been affected in the permit area prior to such temporary cessation, the extent and kind of reclamation of those areas which will have been accomplished, identification of the backfilling, regrading, revegetation, environmental monitoring, and water treatment activities that will continue during the temporary cessation, and an estimate of the date that operations will resume.

(1) Persons who cease coal mining operations permanently shall close or backfill or otherwise permanently reclaim all affected areas, in accordance with Chapter 1513. of the Revised Code, division 1501:13 of the Administrative Code and the approved plan of mining and reclamation for the permit .

(2) All underground openings, equipment, structures, or other facilities not required for monitoring, unless approved by the chief as suitable for the postmining land use or environmental monitoring, shall be removed and the affected land reclaimed.