Section 1816.101  Backfilling and Grading:  General Requirements

Timing of backfilling and grading.

a)         Contour mining.  Rough backfilling and grading shall follow coal removal by not more than sixty (60) days or one thousand, five hundred (1,500) linear feet.  The Department may grant additional time for rough backfilling and grading if the permittee can demonstrate, through a detailed written analysis under 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1780.18(b)(3), that additional time is necessary.

b)

1)         Area surface mining.  Rough backfilling and grading shall be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days following coal removal and shall not be more than four (4) spoil ridges behind the pit being worked, the spoil from the active pit being considered the first ridge.  The Department may grant additional time for rough backfilling and grading if the permittee can demonstrate, through a detailed written analysis under 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1780.18(b)(3), that additional time is necessary.

2)         Final grading (root medium placement, topsoil/substitute material placement, erosion control system installation) shall be completed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan prior to the expiration of fifteen (15) months after June 30^th of the fiscal year in which coal removal occurred.

c)         Other Disturbed Areas:  All backfilling, rough grading, and final grading of all other disturbed areas shall be completed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan not later than twelve (12) months after cessation of active use as determined by the Department.

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 8131, effective July 1, 1987)