Sec. 134.041. RECLAMATION PLAN. A reclamation plan submitted as part of a permit application shall include, in sufficient detail to demonstrate that reclamation required by this chapter can be accomplished, a statement that:

(1) identifies land subject to the surface coal mining operation over the estimated life of the operation and the size, sequence, and timing of any subareas for which it is anticipated that individual permits for surface coal mining will be sought;

(2) describes the condition of the land to be covered by the permit before any mining, including:

(A) the uses existing at the time of the application and, if the land has a history of mining, the uses that preceded any mining;

(B) the capability of the land before any mining to support a variety of uses, considering soil and foundation characteristics, topography, vegetative cover, and, if applicable, a soil survey prepared under Section 134.052(a)(16);

(C) the productivity of the land before mining, including appropriate classification as prime farmland; and

(D) if the land is classified as prime farmland, the average yield of food, fiber, forage, or wood products obtained from the land under high levels of management;

(3) describes the proposed use of the land after reclamation,including:

(A) a discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of alternative uses and the relationship of those uses to existing land uses; and

(B) the comments of state and local governments or agencies of state or local government that must approve or authorize the proposed use of the land after reclamation;

(4) describes in detail how the proposed postmining land use is to be achieved and the necessary support activities that may be needed to achieve that use;

(5) specifies the engineering techniques proposed to be used in mining and reclamation and describes the major equipment;

(6) includes a plan for the control of surface water drainage and water accumulation;

(7) includes, if appropriate, a plan for backfilling, soil stabilization and compacting, grading, and appropriate revegetation;

(8) includes a plan for soil reconstruction, replacement, and stabilization under the performance standards in Section 134.092(a)(7) for land identified as prime farmland under Section 134.052(a)(16);

(9) estimates the cost for each acre of the reclamation, including a statement as to how the permit holder plans to comply with each requirement in Sections 134.091 through 134.109;

(10) describes the consideration given to maximizing the use and conservation of the solid fuel resource being recovered so that reaffecting the land in the future can be minimized;

(11) provides an estimated timetable for accomplishing each major step in the reclamation plan;

(12) describes the consideration given to making the surface mining and reclamation operations consistent with surface owner plans and applicable land use plans and programs;

(13) identifies the steps to be taken to comply with applicable air and water quality laws, rules, and regulations and any applicable health and safety standards;

(14) describes the consideration given to developing the reclamation plan in a manner consistent with local physical, environmental, and climatological conditions;

(15) contains the results of test borings the applicant has made at the permit area or other equivalent information in a form satisfactory to the commission, including:

(A) the location of subsurface water; and

(B) an analysis of the chemical properties of the coal and overburden that can be expected to adversely affect the environment;

(16) identifies:

(A) any land contiguous to the area to be covered by the permit, or any interest or option on an interest in the contiguous land, held by the applicant; and

(B) any pending bid by the applicant on an interest in the contiguous land; and

(17) describes in detail the measures to be taken during the mining and reclamation process to assure the protection of:

(A) the quality of surface-water systems and groundwater systems, both on and off the mine site, from adverse effects of the mining and reclamation process;

(B) the rights of present users to surface-water systems and groundwater systems, both on and off the mine site; and

(C) the quantity of surface-water systems and groundwater systems, both on and off the mine site, from adverse effects of the mining and reclamation process, or to provide alternative sources of water where the protection of quantity cannot be assured.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 12.02(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.