Section 1816.111  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 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)         Have the same seasonal characteristics of growth as the original vegetation;

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

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

5)         Meet the requirements of the Illinois Noxious Weed Law [505 ILCS 100], the Illinois Seed Law [505 ILCS 110] and the Illinois Pesticide Act [415 ILCS 60].

c)         In order to prevent soil erosion, the Department shall grant an exemption to the requirements of subsections (b)(2) and (b)(3) 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 approved a cropland post-mining land use, the permittee shall be exempt from the requirements of subsections (a)(1), (a)(3), (b)(2), and (b)(3).  The requirements of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 1823.15 apply to areas identified as prime farmland.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 5967, effective March 21, 2000)