Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10G-.06

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 880-X-10G-.06 - Revegetation And Restoration Of Soil Productivity

(1) Following prime farmland soil replacement, the soil surface shall be stabilized with vegetative cover or other means that effectively control soil loss by wind and water erosion.

(2) Prime farmland soil productivity shall be restored in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Measurement of soil productivity shall be initiated within ten years after completion of soil replacement.

(b) Soil productivity shall be measured on a representative sample or on all of the mined and reclaimed prime farmland area, using the reference crop determined under paragraph (2)(f) of this section. A statistically valid sampling technique at a 90% or greater statistical confidence level shall be used as approved by the State Regulatory Authority in consultation with the State Soil Conservation in the permit review process.

(c) The measurement period for determining average annual crop production (yield) shall be a minimum of three crop years prior to release of the operator's performance bond.

(d) The level of management applied during the measurement period shall be the same as the level of management used on non-mined prime farmland in the surrounding area.

(e) Restoration of soil productivity shall be considered achieved when the average yield during the measurement period equals or exceeds the average yield of the reference crop established for the same period for non-mined soils of the same or similar texture or slope phase of the soil series in the surrounding area under equivalent management practices.

(f) The reference crop on which restoration of soil productivity is proven shall be selected from the crops most commonly produced on the surrounding prime farmlands. Where row crops are the dominant crops grown on prime farmland in the area, the row crop requiring the greatest rooting depth shall be chosen as one of the reference crops.

(g) Reference crop yields for a given crop season are to be determined from:

1. The current yield records of representative local farms in the surrounding area, with the concurrence of the State Conservationist, or

2. The average County yield recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which have been adjusted by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service for local yield variation within the County that is associated with differences between non-mined prime farmland soil and all other soils that produce the reference crop.

(h) Under either procedure in paragraph 2(g) of this Rule, the average reference crop yield may be adjusted, with the concurrence of the State Conservationist, for:

1. Disease, pest and weather induced seasonal variation; or

2. Differences in specific management practices where the overall management practices of the crops being compared are equivalent.

Author: Randall C. Johnson

Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10G-.06

Original Filed November 14, 1989; effective March 7, 1991.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 9-16-71, etseq.