Section 1783.12  General Environmental Resources Information

Each application shall describe and identify:

a)         The lands subject to surface coal mining operations over the estimated life of those operations and the size, sequence, and timing of the subareas for which it is anticipated that individual permits for mining will be sought; and the nature of cultural, archeological and historic resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) and known archaeological sites within the proposed permit, shadow and adjacent areas.  The description shall be based on all available information, including, but not limited to, data of State and local archaeological, historic, and cultural preservation agencies.

b)         If the information provided pursuant to subsection (a) is not adequate to enable the Department to make the finding required in 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1773.15(c)(12) because information available to the Department indicates a substantial likelihood of currently unknown resources which would be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places within the proposed permit, shadow, or adjacent areas, the Department shall require the applicant to submit additional information to enable the Department to identify and evaluate such resources.  Indications of cultural, archeological and historical resources shall be based upon such factors including, but not limited to, topographic and physiographic characteristics, and other cultural, archeological, and historical resource data for the proposed permit, shadow, and adjacent areas.  An applicant shall be required to conduct field investigations under this subsection as determined necessary by the Department in consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency, if such field investigations will provide the information required by subsection (a).  A field investigation is a pedestrian archeological survey supplemented by shovel testing, where appropriate.

(Source: Amended at 14 Ill. Reg. 11929, effective January 1, 1991)