| (a) Cover. (1) A person who conducts surface mining activities shall cover, with a minimum of 4 feet of the best available nontoxic and noncombustible material, all exposed coal seams remaining after mining, and all acid-forming materials, toxic-forming materials, combustible materials, or any other materials identified by the Commission, as exposed, used, or produced during mining. (2) If necessary, these materials shall be treated to neutralize toxicity, in order to prevent water pollution and sustained combustion and minimize adverse effects on plant growth and land uses. (3) Where necessary to protect against upward migration of salts, exposure by erosion, formation of acid or toxic seeps, to provide an adequate depth for plant growth, or otherwise to meet local conditions, the Commission shall specify thicker amounts of cover using nontoxic material, or special compaction and isolation from ground-water
contact. (4) Acid-forming or toxic-forming material shall not be buried or stored in proximity to a drainage course so as to cause or pose a threat of water pollution. (b) Stabilization. Backfilled materials shall be selectively hauled or conveyed and compacted, wherever necessary to prevent leaching of acid-forming and toxic-forming materials into surface or ground waters and wherever necessary to insure stability of the backfilled materials. The method and design specifications of compacting material shall be approved by the Commission before acid-forming or toxic-forming materials are covered.
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