Sec. 3.11. Wastes.
425 words·~2 min read·
/il/chapter-225/act-720/3-11A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Sec. 3.11. Wastes.
(a)With respect to surface disposal of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes, and other wastes in areas other than the mine working or excavations, the operator shall stabilize all waste piles in designated areas through construction in compacted layers, including the use of noncombustible and impervious materials if necessary, and shall assure that the final contour of the waste pile will be compatible with natural surroundings and that the site can and will be stabilized and revegetated according to the provisions of this Act.
(b)The operator shall design, locate, construct, operate, maintain, enlarge, modify, and remove or abandon, in accordance with the standards and criteria developed pursuant to the Federal Act, all existing and new coal mine waste piles consisting of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes, or other liquid and solid wastes, and used either temporarily or permanently as dams or embankments.
(c)All debris, acid-forming materials, toxic materials, or materials constituting a fire hazard shall be treated or buried and compacted or otherwise disposed of in a manner designed to prevent contamination of ground or surface waters. At a minimum, such materials constituting a fire hazard present in the exposed face of the mined mineral seam or seams in the final cut shall, if approved by the Department, be covered at all times with not less than 4 feet of water or other materials which shall be placed with slopes having no more than 30% grade, capable of supporting plant and animal life. Final cuts or other depressed affected areas, no longer in use in mining operations, which accumulate toxic waters will not meet reclamation requirements. Contingency plans shall be developed to prevent sustained combustion.
(d)Slurry shall be confined in depressed or mined areas bounded by levees or dams constructed from materials capable of supporting acceptable vegetation and built in accordance with sound engineering practices. Such areas shall be screened with border plantings of tree species which by their seeding habits will encourage propagation of vegetation on these areas, and levees or dams built to confine slurry shall be adapted to established species of grasses. Gob and slurry not capable of supporting vegetation shall be covered to a minimum depth of 4 feet with soil or other material in accordance with sound soil conservation practices as prescribed by the Department. Such material shall be capable of being vegetated and an acceptable cover shall be established. The reclamation measures set forth in this subsection are minimum performance standards and do not supersede any other requirements of this Act.