A. All water and silt retaining dams or mine refuse piles shall be examined daily for visible structural weakness, volume overload and other hazards by a qualified person designated by the licensed operator. When rising water and silt reaches eighty percent by volume of the safe design capacity of the dam, such examination shall be made more often as required by the Director or his designated agent. Frequent examinations must be made during periods of rainfall that could create flooding conditions.

B. When a potentially hazardous condition exists, the operator shall initiate procedures to:

1. Remove all persons from the area which may reasonably be expected to be affected by the potentially hazardous condition;

2. Eliminate the potentially hazardous condition; and

3. Notify the Director.

C. Records of the inspections required by subsection A of this section shall be kept and certified by the licensed operator or his agent. Such records shall be kept on the surface at the office or designated station of the mine.

D. The licensed operator of each mineral mine on which a water and silt retaining dam is located shall adopt a plan for carrying out the requirements of subsections A and B of this section. The plan shall be submitted for approval to the Director on or before October 31, 1974. The plan shall include:

1. A schedule and procedures for inspection of the retaining dam by a qualified person;

2. Procedures for evaluating potentially hazardous conditions;

3. Procedures for removing all persons from the area which may reasonably be expected to be affected by the potentially hazardous conditions;

4. Procedures for eliminating the potentially hazardous conditions;

5. Procedures for notifying the Director; and

6. Any additional information which may be required by the Director.

E. Before making any changes or modifications in the plan approved in accordance with subsection D of this section, the licensed operator shall obtain approval of such changes or modifications from the Director.

1997, c. 390; 1998, c. 695.