(a) All topsoil
shall be removed from the areas to be disturbed in a separate layer prior to
drilling, blasting, mining or other surface disturbance. A vegetative cover
which would interfere with the removal and use of the topsoil shall be removed
prior to topsoil removal.
(b) In
the event removal of vegetative matter, topsoil or other materials may result
in erosion which may cause air or water pollution, the size of the area from
which topsoil is removed at any one time shall be limited and other measures
shall be taken that the Department may approve or require to control
erosion.
(c) If topsoil is less
than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters), a 12-inch (30.48 centimeters) layer which
includes the topsoil and the unconsolidated materials immediately below the
topsoil shall be removed, segregated, conserved and replaced as the final
surface soil layer. If the topsoil and the unconsolidated material measure less
than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters), the topsoil and all unconsolidated material
shall be removed, segregated, conserved and replaced as the final surface soil
layer.
(d) On areas that have been
previously affected by mining and which have no available topsoil or subsoil,
sufficient material best suited to support vegetation shall be segregated,
conserved and redistributed as the final surface layer.
(e) The B horizon and portions of the C
horizon, or other underlying layers demonstrated to have qualities for
comparable root development, shall be segregated and replaced as subsoil if
either of these is necessary to ensure soil productivity consistent with the
approved postmining land use.
(f)
When approved by the Department in writing, other materials may be substituted
for or used as a supplement to topsoil if the operator demonstrates that the
resulting soil medium is equal to or more suitable than topsoil for sustaining
vegetation and soil productivity. In making this demonstration, the Department
may require chemical and physical analyses of the substituted material and
topsoil. These analyses may include determinations of pH, net acidity or
alkalinity, phosphorus, potassium, texture class, field site trials or
greenhouse tests, or other analyses as required by the Department.