SECTION 12.551. Backfilling and Grading: General Requirements

(a) Timing. Surface areas disturbed incident to underground mining activities shall be backfilled and graded in accordance with the time schedule approved by the Commission as a condition of the permit.

(b) Backfilling and grading.

(1) All areas affected by surface operations shall be returned to approximate original contour. All spoil shall be transported, backfilled, and compacted (where advisable to ensure stability or to prevent leaching) and graded to eliminate all highwalls, spoil piles, and depressions.

(2) Backfilled material shall be placed to minimize erosion, to minimize water pollution both on and off the site, and to support the approved postmining land use.

(3) The postmining graded slopes need not be uniform.

(4) Cut-and-fill terraces may be used only in those situations expressly identified in §12.552(b) of this title (relating to Backfilling and Grading: General Grading Requirements).

Source Note: The provisions of this §12.551 adopted to be effective April 7, 1997, 22 TexReg 3093.