Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Agency 25 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Chapter 130 - COAL SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION REGULATIONS
Part 817 - Permanent Program Performance Standards-Underground Mining Activities
Section 4VAC25-130-817.106 - Backfilling and grading; previously mined areas

Universal Citation: 4 VA Admin Code 25-130-817-106

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024

(a) Remining operations on previously mined areas that contain a preexisting highwall shall comply with the requirements of 4VAC25-130-817.102 through 4VAC25-130-817.107, except as provided in this section.

(b) The requirements of 4VAC25-130-817.102(a)(1) and (a)(2) requiring the elimination of highwalls shall not apply to remining operations where the volume of all reasonably available spoil is demonstrated in writing to the division to be insufficient to completely backfill the reaffected or enlarged highwall. The highwall shall be eliminated to the maximum extent technically practical in accordance with the following criteria:

(1) All spoil generated by the remining operation and any other reasonably available spoil shall be used to backfill the area. Reasonably available spoil in the immediate vicinity of the remining operation shall be included within the permit area.

(2) The backfill shall be graded to a slope which is compatible with the approved postmining land use and which provides adequate drainage and long-term stability.

(3) Any highwall remnant shall be stable and not pose a hazard to the public health and safety or to the environment. The permittee shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the division, that the highwall remnant is stable.

(4) Spoil placed on the outslope during previous mining operations shall not be disturbed if such disturbances will cause instability of the remaining spoil or otherwise increase the hazard to the public health and safety or to the environment.

(5) Access roads shall be provided from the bench to the top of the highwall approximately every 2,500 feet. Access roads shall be constructed to allow access by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

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