Section 1817.111  Revegetation:  General Requirements

a)         The permittee shall establish on regraded areas and on all other disturbed areas except areas where vegetative cover is inconsistent with the approved post-mining land use, a vegetative cover that is in accordance with the approved permit and reclamation plan and that is:

1)         Diverse, effective, and permanent;

2)         Comprised of species native to the area, or of introduced species where desirable and necessary to achieve the approved post-mining land use and approved by the Department;

3)         At least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the area; and

4)         Capable of stabilizing the soil surface from erosion.

b)         The reestablished plant species shall:

1)         Be compatible with the approved post-mining land use;

2)         Be capable of self-regeneration and plant succession;

3)         Be compatible with the plant and animal species of the area; and

4)         Meet the requirements of the State and Federal seed, poisonous and noxious plant, and introduced species laws or regulations cited in 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1816.111(b)(5).

c)         In order to prevent soil erosion, the Department shall grant an exemption to the requirements of subsection (b)(2) when the reestablished species will achieve a quick-growing, temporary stabilizing cover, and measures to establish permanent vegetation are included in the approved permit and reclamation plan.

d)         When the Department approves a cropland post-mining land use, the permittee shall be exempt from the requirements of subsections (a)(1), (a)(3) and (b)(2). The requirements of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1823.15 apply to areas identified as prime farmland.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 5938, effective March 21, 2000)