405 KAR 16:140. Disposal of coal mine waste.

 

      RELATES TO: KRS 350.410, 350.420, 350.465,

EO 2009-538      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 350.028, 350.465, EO 2009-538

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS

350.028 and 350.465 require the cabinet to promulgate administrative

regulations establishing performance standards for protection of people and property,

land, water and other natural resources, and aesthetic values, during surface

mining activities and for restoration and reclamation of surface areas affected

by mining activities. EO 2009-538, effective June 12, 2009 establishes the new

Energy and Environment Cabinet. This administrative regulation establishes requirements

for the disposal of coal mine waste, including design and construction requirements

for coal mine waste banks, site inspection requirements, water control

measures, provisions for extinguishing burning coal waste and utilization of

burned coal waste, and the return of coal mine waste to underground mine workings.

 

      Section 1. General Requirements. (1) All

coal mine waste shall be hauled and conveyed in a controlled manner approved by

the cabinet in disposal areas approved by the cabinet for this purpose. These

areas shall be within a permit area. The disposal area shall be designed, constructed,

and maintained:

      (a) In accordance with 405 KAR 16:130,

Sections 1 and 2, and this administrative regulation; and

      (b) To prevent combustion.

      (2) Coal mine waste materials from

activities located outside the permit area, such as those activities at other

mines or abandoned mine waste banks may be disposed of in the permit area only

if approved by the cabinet. Approval shall be based on a showing by the

permittee, using hydrologic, geotechnical, physical, and chemical analyses,

that disposal of these materials does not:

      (a) Adversely affect water quality, water

flow, or vegetation;

      (b) Create public health hazards; or

      (c) Cause instability in the disposal

areas.

 

      Section 2. Site Inspection. (1) All coal mine

waste banks shall be inspected on behalf of the permittee by a qualified professional

engineer or other qualified person under the direct supervision of the responsible

professional engineer.

      (a) Inspections shall occur at least

quarterly, beginning within seven (7) days after preparation of the disposal

area begins.

      1. The cabinet may require more frequent

inspection based upon an evaluation of the potential danger to the health or

safety of the public and the potential harm to land, air, or water resources.

      2. Inspections shall terminate if the

coal mine waste bank has:

      a. Been graded;

      b. Been covered in accordance with

Section 4(4)(a) of this administrative regulation; or

      c. Had topsoil distributed on the bank in

accordance with 405 KAR 16:050, Section 4.

      (b) Inspections shall include observations

and tests as may be necessary to evaluate the potential hazard to human life

and property, to ensure that all organic material and topsoil have been removed

and that proper construction and maintenance are occurring in accordance with

the plan submitted under 405 KAR 8:030, Section 34, and approved by the

cabinet.

      (c) The engineer shall consider:

      1. Steepness of slopes;

      2. Seepage;

      3. Other visible factors that may

indicate potential failure; and

      4. The results of failure with respect to

the threat to human life and property.

      (d)1. The responsible registered

professional engineer shall certify to the cabinet within two (2) weeks after

each inspection that the coal mine waste bank has been constructed as specified

in the design approved by the cabinet.

      2. Copies of the inspection findings

shall be maintained at the mine site.

      (2) If an inspection discloses that a

potential hazard exists, the cabinet shall be informed within twenty-four (24)

hours promptly of the finding and of the emergency procedures formulated for

public protection and remedial action.

      (a) If adequate procedures cannot be

formulated or implemented, the cabinet shall be notified immediately.

      (b) The cabinet shall then notify the

appropriate emergency agencies that other emergency procedures shall be

required to protect the public from the coal mine waste area.

 

      Section 3. Water Control Measures. (1) Unless

the cabinet approves alternative practices that ensure structural integrity of

the waste bank and protection of ground and surface water quality, a properly

designed subdrainage system shall be provided, which shall:

      (a) Intercept all ground water sources;

      (b) Be protected by an adequate filter;

and

      (c) Be covered so as to protect against

the entrance of surface water or leachate from the coal mine waste.

      (2) During and after construction, surface

drainage from the area above the coal mine waste bank and from the crest and

face of the waste disposal area shall be diverted, in accordance with 405 KAR

16:130, Section 2(2).

      (3)1. Slope protection shall be provided

to minimize surface erosion at the site.

      2. Disturbed areas, including diversion

ditches that are not riprapped, shall be vegetated upon completion of construction.

      (4) Water discharged from a coal mine waste

bank shall comply with 405 KAR 16:060, Sections 1, 2, and 9; 16:070; 16:090;

and 16:110.

 

      Section 4. Construction Requirements. (1)

Coal mine waste banks shall be constructed in compliance with 405 KAR 16:130,

Sections 1 and 2, except to the extent that the requirements of those sections

are varied in this section.

      (2) Coal mine waste banks shall have a

minimum static safety factor of one and five-tenths (1.5).

      (3) Compaction requirements during

construction or modification of a coal mine waste bank shall meet the

requirements of this subsection, instead of those specified in 405 KAR 16:130,

Section 1(5)(b).

      (a) The coal mine waste shall be:

      1. Spread in horizontal layers not more

than twenty-four (24) inches in thickness; and

      2. Compacted to attain ninety (90)

percent of the maximum dry density to prevent spontaneous combustion and to

provide the strength required for stability of the coal mine waste bank. Dry

densities shall be determined in accordance with the American Association of

State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Specification T99-74 (12th

Edition) (1974) as incorporated by reference in 405 KAR 7:015, Section 3(7), or

an equivalent method.

      (b) Variations may be allowed in these

requirements for the disposal of dewatered fine coal waste (minus twenty-eight

(28) sieve

size) with approval of the cabinet or an

equivalent method agreed upon by the cabinet and the permit applicant.

      (4)(a) Following grading of the coal mine

waste bank, the site shall be covered with a minimum of four (4) feet of the

best available nontoxic and noncombustible material, in accordance with 405 KAR

16:050, Section 2(5), and in a manner that does not impede flow from

subdrainage systems.

      (b) The coal mine waste bank shall be

revegetated in accordance with 405 KAR 16:200.

      (c)The cabinet may allow less than four

(4) feet of cover material based on physical and chemical analyses that show

that the requirements of 405 KAR 16:200 shall be met.

 

      Section 5. Burning Coal Waste. Coal mine waste

fires shall be extinguished by the permittee, in accordance with a plan approved

by the cabinet and the MSHA. The plan shall contain, at a minimum, provisions

to ensure that only persons authorized by the permittee, and who have an

understanding of the procedures to be used, shall be involved in the extinguishing

operations.

 

      Section 6. Burned Waste Utilization. (1)

Before any burned coal mine waste, other materials, or refuse is removed from a

permitted disposal area, approval shall be obtained from the cabinet.

      (2) A plan for the method of removal,

with maps and appropriate drawings to illustrate the proposed sequence of the

operation and method of compliance with this chapter shall be submitted to the

cabinet.

      (3) Consideration shall be given in the

plan to potential hazards that may be created by removal to persons working or

living in the vicinity of the disposal area.

      (4) The plan shall be prepared by a

qualified professional engineer.

 

      Section 7. Return to Underground

Workings. Coal mine waste may be returned to underground mine workings only in

accordance with the waste disposal program approved by the cabinet and MSHA

pursuant to 405 KAR 8:040, Section 27. (8 Ky.R. 1545; Am. 9 Ky.R. 706; eff.

1-6-1983; 10 Ky.R. 817; eff. 4-23-1984; 36 Ky.R. 648; 1021; eff. 11-17-2009.)