Section 1815.15  Performance Standards for Coal Exploration

a)         Habitats of unique or unusually high value for fish, wildlife, and other related environmental values and critical habitats of threatened or endangered species identified pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) shall not be disturbed during coal exploration.

b)         All roads or other transportation facilities used for coal exploration shall comply with the applicable provisions of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.150, 1816.180 and 1816.181.

c)         If excavations, artificial flat areas, or embankments are created during exploration, these areas shall be returned to the approximate original contour promptly after such features are no longer needed for coal exploration.

d)         Topsoil shall be separately removed, stored, and redistributed on areas disturbed by coal exploration activities as necessary to assure successful revegetation unless the operator can demonstrate that the topsoil will not be affected by excessive erosion, compaction and contamination.

e)         All areas disturbed by the coal exploration activities shall be revegetated in a manner that encourages prompt revegetation and recovery of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover. Revegetation shall be accomplished in accordance with the following:

1)         All areas disturbed by coal exploration activities shall be seeded or planted to the same seasonal variety native to the areas disturbed.  If the land use of the exploration area is intensive agriculture, planting of the crops normally grown will meet the requirements of this subsection; and

2)         The vegetative cover shall be capable of stabilizing the soil surface in regards to erosion.

f)         Diversions of overland flows and ephemeral, perennial, or intermittent streams shall be made in accordance with 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.43.

g)         Each exploration hole, borehole, well, or other exposed underground opening created during exploration shall be reclaimed in accordance with 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.13, through 1816.15.

h)         All facilities and equipment shall be removed from the exploration area promptly when they are no longer needed for exploration, except for those facilities and equipment that the Department determines may remain to:

1)         Provide additional environmental quality data;

2)         Reduce or control the on and off-site effects of the exploration activities; or

3)         Facilitate future surface mining and reclamation operations by the person conducting the exploration, under an approved permit.

i)          Coal exploration shall be conducted in a manner which minimizes disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance in accordance with 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.41 through 1816.49.  The Department shall specify additional control measures if a determination is made that the operation as proposed will adversely affect the hydrological balance.

j)          Toxic or acid-forming materials shall be handled and disposed of in accordance with 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.41(b), 1816.41(f) and 1816.102(e).  The Department shall specify additional measures if a determination is made that the operation as proposed will have an adverse effect on the environment.

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 8122, effective July 1, 1987)