§ 59-8-208 — Mining and reclamation plans

(a) Each operator shall prepare and carry out a mining and reclamation plan for the area affected by the operator's operation, such plan to be submitted by the operator for the commissioner's approval with the application for a permit. Such plan shall provide for: (1) Regrading the area to approximately the original or rolling topography, and elimination of all highwalls, spoil piles, and water-collecting depressions to the extent that such can be done with available overburden. Demonstrated new technology methods, approved by the commissioner, will be acceptable for highwall elimination and those established spoil piles, which no longer pose hazards to the environment as determined by the commissioner, shall not be included; (2) Water drainage and silt control for all the affected areas so as to strictly control soil erosion, damage to adjacent lands, and pollution of streams and other waters, both during and following the mining operations. As mining begins, all drainways for the affected area shall be protected with silt traps or dams of approved design as directed by the regulations. The operator may elect to impound water to provide lakes or ponds of approved design for wildlife, recreational, or water supply purposes if it is a part of the approved reclamation plan; (3) Revegetation of the affected area as provided in § 59-8-209 ; (4) If the land is restored to permit cultivating with normal farm machinery, the operator is relieved of all further rehabilitation, except seeding with grass or legumes during the next growing season for quick erosion control; (5) Carrying out any additional reclamation work required by the rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner; (6) A description of the use to which the area affected will be placed at the conclusion of reclamation; and (7) When mining is temporarily terminated at a particular mining site or sites with substantial minerals remaining for probable future production, the operator is permitted to reclaim mined areas other than those included in the operator's current operations in lieu of reclaiming the mined areas where the mining has temporarily ceased. (b) In addition to the requirements specified in subsection (a), the mining and reclamation plan submitted by the operator in connection with the operator's application for a permit shall include a detailed topographic map, prepared by a qualified engineer, geologist or other qualified professional approved by the commissioner, on a United States geological survey map, or aerial photograph, or equivalent as may be approved by the commissioner, and on such scale as the commissioner shall require by regulation showing: (1) The area of land affected, the location of the stream or streams or any standing body of water into which the area drains, the location of drainways and the planned siltation traps and other impoundments, and the location of haul or other access roads to be prepared or used by the operator in the mining operation; (2) The location of any buildings, cemeteries, public highways, railroad tracks, gas and oil wells, publicly owned land, officially designated scenic areas, utility lines, underground mines, transmission lines or pipe lines within the affected area or within five hundred feet (500') thereof; (3) The approximate location of the cuts or excavations to be made in the surface and the estimated location and height of spoil banks, and the total number of acres involved in the area of land affected; and (4) The date the map was prepared, together with a certification as to its accuracy by the person responsible for its preparation. (c) The surface mining application will be accompanied by a detailed mining plan showing the depth and character of overburden; the thickness of the mineral being mined; method of mining; mine waste disposal areas; the manner, timing and distance for backfilling, grading work; final mine waste disposal areas and final shape of stable slope; and a reclamation plan for haul roads that are to be left, which proposals shall meet the provisions of this section and all rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the commissioner. The application shall assure that all reshaping will be completed within such time as permitted by the commissioner's regulations which shall not be more than three (3) months, weather permitting, after completion of the removal of the mineral being mined. (d) The mining and reclamation plan may, with the commissioner's approval, be changed at any time upon application of the operator, to take account of changes in conditions or to correct any previous oversight. After approval of a mining and reclamation plan or any amendment thereof by the commissioner, the operator shall not depart therefrom without the commissioner's further approval. The plan shall be carried out concurrently with the surface mining operation and all of the reclamation work shall be completed with respect to each acre within such time as permitted by the commissioner's regulations, which shall not be more than one (1) year after completion of the mining operation with respect to each such acre. Each operator shall file periodic reports, within such times and covering such periods as the commissioner shall reasonably require, showing those portions of the affected area for which reclamation in accordance with the approved plan has been completed. The commissioner shall inspect such areas and shall notify the operator whether the reclamation is accepted as being in accordance with the approved plan or whether there are deficiencies which must be corrected. (e) Any plan required by this section or part shall be prepared in accordance with the procedures set out in title 13, chapter 18 when such plan involves a major energy project, as defined in § 13-18-102 .

Legislative History

Acts 1972, ch. 547, § 8; 1974, ch. 590, §§ 6, 7; 1975, ch. 310, § 2; 1976, ch. 752, § 2; 1978, ch. 679, § 2; T.C.A., § 58-1547; Acts 1980, ch. 695, § 3; 1980, ch. 908, § 43; 1981, ch. 131, § 38; 1992, ch. 1011, § 1.