Section 1816.57  Hydrologic Balance: Stream Buffer Zones

a)         No land within one hundred (100) feet of the top of the bank of the normal channel of a perennial stream or an intermittent stream shall be disturbed by surface mining activities, except in accordance with Section 1816.43, unless the Department specifically authorizes surface mining activities close to or through such a stream upon finding:

1)         That the original stream channel and its associated riparian vegetation will be restored; and surface mining activities will not cause or contribute to a violation of Section 1816.42 and will not adversely affect the water quantity and quality or other environmental resources of the stream;

2)         If there will be a temporary or permanent stream channel diversion, it will comply with Section 1816.43.

b)         The area not to be disturbed shall be designated a buffer zone and marked as specified in Section 1816.11.

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