Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 88.209 - Vegetation: general requirements(a) Vegetation shall be established on all land affected by bank removal and reclamation activities.(b) Seeding and planting shall provide for a diverse, effective and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area of land to be affected and capable of self-regeneration and plant succession at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the area; except that introduced species may be used in the vegetation process when desirable and necessary to achieve the approved postmining land use plan. For areas previously disturbed by surface mining activities that were not reclaimed to the standards of SMCRA and this chapter, and are proposed to be reaffected or redisturbed, the Department may approve a vegetative cover which, at a minimum, may not be less than the vegetative cover existing before redisturbance and shall be adequate to control erosion and achieve the approved postmining land use.(c) Seeding and planting shall provide a quick, fast-growing vegetative cover capable of stabilizing the soil surface from erosion.(d) Seeding and planting shall be completed in accordance with the reclamation plan of the permit application as approved by the Department.(e) Vegetation shall be consistent with and support the approved postmining land use as specified in the permit application.The provisions of this § 88.209 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended May 8, 1998, effective 5/9/1998, 28 Pa.B. 2215. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 86.151 (relating to period of liability); 25 Pa. Code § 88.185 (relating to nutrients and soil amendments); and 25 Pa. Code § 88.237 (relating to haul roads and access roads: restoration).