(225 ILCS 720/3.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 7903.11)
Sec. 3.11.
Wastes.
(a) With respect to surface disposal of mine wastes,
tailings, coal processing wastes, and other wastes in areas other than the
mine working or excavations, the operator shall stabilize all waste piles
in designated areas through construction in compacted layers, including the
use of noncombustible and impervious materials if
necessary, and shall assure that the final contour of the waste pile will be
compatible with natural surroundings and that the site can and will be
stabilized and revegetated according to the provisions of this Act.
(b) The operator shall design, locate, construct, operate, maintain,
enlarge, modify, and remove or abandon, in accordance with the standards and
criteria developed pursuant to the Federal Act, all existing and new coal mine
waste piles consisting of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes, or
other liquid and solid wastes, and used either temporarily or permanently
as dams or embankments.
(c) All debris, acid-forming materials, toxic materials, or materials
constituting a fire hazard shall be treated or buried and compacted or
otherwise disposed of in a manner designed to prevent contamination of ground
or surface waters. At a minimum, such materials constituting a fire hazard
present in the exposed face of the mined mineral seam or seams in the final cut
shall, if approved by the Department, be covered at all times with not less
than 4 feet of water or other materials which shall be placed with
slopes having no more than 30% grade, capable of supporting plant and animal
life. Final cuts or other depressed affected areas, no longer in use in mining
operations, which accumulate toxic waters will not meet reclamation
requirements. Contingency plans shall be developed to prevent sustained
combustion.
(d) Slurry shall be confined in depressed or mined areas bounded by levees
or dams constructed from materials capable of supporting acceptable vegetation
and built in accordance with sound engineering practices. Such areas shall
be screened with border plantings of tree species which by their seeding
habits will encourage propagation of vegetation on these areas, and levees
or dams built to confine slurry shall be adapted to established species
of grasses. Gob and slurry not capable of supporting vegetation shall be
covered to a minimum depth of 4 feet with soil or other material
in accordance with sound soil conservation practices as prescribed by the
Department. Such material shall be capable of being vegetated and an
acceptable cover shall be established. The reclamation measures set forth in
this subsection are minimum performance standards and do not supersede any
other requirements of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)
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