HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     3093

(1)  The method of compliance with State air and water
pollution requirements;

(2)  The method of prevention, elimination, or
minimization of conditions that would be hazardous to animal or
fish life in or adjacent to the area;

(3)  The method of rehabilitation of settling ponds;

(4)  The method of control of contaminates and
disposal of mining refuse; and

(5)  The method of restoring or establishing stream
channels and stream banks to a condition minimizing erosion,
siltation, and other pollution. [All permits required by all
State and local regulatory agencies with regard to air and water
pollution and sediment control shall be a prerequisite to
issuance of the permit.]

(d)  The plan shall provide that reclamation activities,
particularly those relating to control of erosion, shall be
conducted to the extent feasible simultaneously with mining
operations and be initiated at the earliest feasible time after
completion or termination of mining on any segment of the permit
area. The plan shall provide that reclamation activities be
completed promptly and not later than two years after completion
of mining on each segment of the area for which a permit is
requested unless the Department specifically permits a longer
period.

(e)  The Department may approve, approve subject to stated
modifications, or reject the plan which is proposed. The
Department shall approve a reclamation plan, as submitted or as
modified, if it finds that the plan adequately provides for
timely completion of those actions necessary to achieve the
purposes and requirements of this subtitle and that, in addition,
the plan meets the following minimum standards:

(1)  The final slopes in all excavations in soil,
sand, gravel, and other unconsolidated materials shall be at an
angle to minimize the possibility of slides and be consistent
with the future use of the land;

(2)  Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining
property shall be provided in all excavations [in rock];

(3)  In open pit mining operations, all overburden and
spoil shall be left in a configuration which is in accordance
with accepted conservation practices and suitable for the
proposed subsequent use of the land;

(4)  Suitable drainage ditches or conduits shall be
constructed or installed or grading completed to avoid the
collection or existence of small pools of water that are, or
likely to become, noxious, odious, or foul on the mined area; AND