§ 62-4398. Reclamation of disturbed property.

All lands disturbed by land alteration activities shall be reclaimed in accordance with the following standards:

(1)

Scheduling. In all types of land alteration, reclamation, including revegetation of upland areas, shall be completed within 180 days of completion of the altering activity. Revegetation of littoral zones of lakes shall be completed within one year of completion of the altering activity.

(2)

Revegetation. All altered lands shall be revegetated with indigenous species whenever possible, according to the standards set forth in divisions 2 and 3 of this article.

(3)

Topography and drainage.

a.

Except for water bodies, low-profile berms and surface water management systems, all final contours on reclaimed land shall be no steeper than the original contours of the site.

b.

The reclamation plan shall provide for restoration as nearly as possible to prealteration drainage characteristics. In no event shall the applicant permit unplanned stream channel, wetland or lake development.

(4)

Soils. Topsoil, segregated and stored prior to land alteration, or other suitable soil or strata, properly conditioned, shall be applied to the surface of all reclaimed lands as necessary to provide a suitable growing medium for all required revegetation. Revegetation, mulching, contouring or other acceptable soil conservation practices shall be used to enhance soil stabilization. Should washes and rills develop after revegetation, the applicant shall repair the eroded slopes and stabilize the area.

(5)

Site cleanup. All construction debris, refuse, junk, and wornout unusable equipment or materials, including footings, poles, pilings and cables, shall be removed from all altered lands as part of the reclamation process. All structures shall also be dismantled and removed except where their reuse is consistent with post-reclamation land use goals. Temporary roads shall be returned to grade.

(6)

Incidental wetlands. Impacts to functional wetlands resulting from previous or current mining activities are permitted, with mitigation, where said impacts are necessary to meet the approved abandoned mine reclamation plan.

(Code 1979, § 14-112.9; Ord. No. 07-16, § 4, 4-27-07)