The performance standards in this section are applicable to coal exploration, which substantially disturbs land surface.

1. A. Habitats of unique value for fish, wildlife, and other related environmental values and areas identified in Subsection B of 19.8.9.905 NMAC shall not be disturbed during coal exploration.
2. B. The person who conducts coal exploration shall, to the extent practicable, measure important environmental characteristics of the exploration area during the operations, to minimize environmental damage to the area and to provide supportive information for any permit application that person may submit under 19.8.5 NMAC through 19.8.13 NMAC.

3. C. Roads and off-road travel.

   (1) Vehicular travel on other than established graded and surfaced roads shall be limited by the person who conducts coal exploration to that absolutely necessary to conduct the exploration. Travel shall be confined to graded and surfaced roads during periods when excessive damage to vegetation or rutting of the land surface could result.

   (2) Any new road or other transportation facility shall comply with the provisions of Subsections B through F of 19.8.20.2076 and 19.8.20.2077 and 19.8.20.2078 NMAC.

   (3) Existing roads or other transportation facilities may be used for exploration in accordance with the following:

   (a) all applicable federal, state, and local requirements shall be met;

   (b) if the road is significantly altered for exploration, including, but not limited to, change of grade, widening, or change of route, or if use of the road for exploration contributes additional suspended solids to streamflow or runoff, then Subsection G of 19.8.19.1902 NMAC shall apply to all areas of the road which are altered or which result in such additional contributions;

   (c) if the road or other transportation facility is significantly altered for exploration activities, the person conducting exploration shall ensure that the requirements of Subsections B through F of 19.8.20.2076 NMAC and 19.8.20.2077 and 19.8.20.2078 NMAC are met for the design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of the road.

   (4) Any road or transportation facility that will be retained after exploration activities are complete shall comply with the applicable provisions of 19.8.20.2076, 2077, 2078 or 2079 NMAC, as applicable. Any road that will not be retained will be promptly reclaimed.

4. D. If excavations, artificial flat areas, or embankments are created during exploration, those areas shall be returned to the approximate original contour promptly after such features are no longer needed for coal exploration.
5. E. Topsoil shall be removed, stored, and redistributed on disturbed areas as necessary to assure successful revegetation or as required by the director.

6. F. Revegetation of areas disturbed by coal exploration shall be performed by the person who conducts the exploration, or his agent. If more than 250 tons of coal are removed from the exploration area, all revegetation shall be in compliance with the plan approved by the director and carried out in a manner that encourages prompt vegetative cover and recovery of productivity levels compatible with approved post-exploration land use and in accordance with the following:

   (1) all disturbed lands shall be seeded or planted with species of the same aspection native to the disturbed area. If both the pre-exploration and post-exploration land uses are intensive agriculture, planting of the crops normally grown will meet the requirements of this paragraph;

   (2) the vegetative cover shall be capable of stabilizing the soil surface in regards to erosion.

7. G. With the exception of small and temporary diversions of overland flow of water around new roads, drill pads, and support facilities, no ephemeral, intermittent or perennial stream shall be diverted during coal exploration activities. Overland flow of water shall be diverted in a manner that:

   (1) prevents erosion;

   (2) to the extent possible using the best technology currently available, prevents additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the exploration area in accordance with 19.8.20. 2009 through 2026 NMAC and the pertinent state water quality control commission regulations standards; and

   (3) complies with all other applicable state or federal requirements.

8. H. Each exploration hole, borehole, well, or other exposed underground opening created during exploration must meet the requirements of 19.8.20.2001 through 2003 NMAC.

9. I. All facilities and equipment shall be removed from the exploration area promptly when they are no longer needed for exploration, except for those facilities and equipment that the director determines may remain to:

   (1) provide additional environmental quality data;

   (2) reduce or control the on and off-site effects of the exploration activities; or

   (3) facilitate future surface mining and reclamation operations by the person conducting the exploration under an approved permit.

10. J. Coal exploration shall be conducted in a manner which minimizes disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance, and shall include sediment control measures such as provided in 19.8.20.2013 NMAC of these rules and regulations and the pertinent state water quality control commission standards or sedimentation ponds which comply with 19.8.20.2014 NMAC. The director may specify additional measures which shall be adopted by the person engaged in coal exploration.

11. K. Toxic or acid-forming materials shall be handled and disposed of in accordance with 19.8.20.2016 and 2056 NMAC. If specified by the director, additional measures shall be adopted by the person engaged in coal exploration.

    [11-29-97; 19.8.19.1902 NMAC - Rn, 19 NMAC 8.2.19.1902, 9-29-2000; A, 1-15-2002; A, 12-31-2007]