| (a) Any valid surface mining permit issued pursuant to these rules shall carry with it the right of successive renewal on expiration with respect to areas within the boundaries of the existing permit. The holder of such permit may apply for renewal not later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the permit and such renewal shall be issued on the written finding by the commission that: (1) the terms and conditions of the existing permit are being satisfactorily met; (2) the performance bond or other substitute collateral required under the terms of these rules continue in full force and effect and unimpaired for the requested renewal; (3) the operator has provided any additional or revised information required by the commission; and (4) notice under §11.31 of this title (relating to Public Notice) has been provided with respect to the application for renewal. (b) If an application for renewal of a valid permit includes a proposal to extend the mining operation beyond the boundaries authorized in the existing permit, the portion of the application for renewal of a valid permit which addresses any new land areas shall be subject to the full standards, including application fees, applicable to new applications under these rules. (c) Any surface mining permit renewal shall be for a term not to exceed the period of the original permit established by these rules. (d) In the event a renewal application which satisfies the requirements of this section has not been acted upon by the commission on the date of expiration of the prior permit, the operator may continue the surface mining operations pursuant to the conditions of the prior permit until such time as the commission acts upon the renewal application. |
