N.M. Code R. § 19.8.20.2035
VALLEY FILLS: Valley fills shall meet all of the requirements of 19.8.20.2034 NMAC and the additional requirements of 19.8.20 NMAC.
B. Unless the director finds that a subdrainage system is not required for environmental protection, a subdrainage system for the fill shall be constructed in accordance with the following:
(1) A system of underdrains constructed of durable rock shall meet the requirements of Paragraph (4) of Subsection B of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC and:
(a) be installed along the natural drainage system;
(b) extend from the toe to the head of the fill; and
(c) contain lateral drains to each area of potential drainage or seepage.
(2) A filter system to insure the proper functioning of the rock underdrain system shall be designed and constructed using standard geotechnical engineering methods.
(3) In constructing the underdrains, the rock size and size of the main underdrain will be designed to meet the conditions at the site as determined by data called for in Subsection A of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC. If site specific engineering design criteria are not submitted, the following criteria will be used. In constructing the underdrains, no more than 10 percent of the rock may be less than 12 inches in size and no single rock may be larger than 25 percent of the width of the drain. Rock used in underdrains shall meet the requirements of Paragraph (4) of Subsection B of 19.8.20.2035 NMAC. The minimum size of the main underdrain shall be:
Total amount of Predominant type of Minimum size of
fill material fill material drain, in feet
Width Height
< 1,000,000 yd3 Sandstone 10 4
< 1,000,000 yd3 Shale 16 8
> 1,000,000 yd3 Sandstone 16 8
> 1,000,000 yd3 Shale 16 16
(4) Underdrains shall consist of nondegradable, non-acid or toxic forming rock such as natural sand and gravel, sandstone, limestone, or other durable rock that will not slake in water and will be free of coal, clay or shale.
C. Spoil shall be hauled or conveyed and placed in a controlled manner and concurrently compacted as specified by the director, in lifts no greater than 4 feet or less if required by the director to:
(1) achieve the densities designed to ensure mass stability;
(2) prevent mass movement;
(3) avoid contamination of the rock underdrain or rock core; and
(4) prevent formation of voids.
G. The outslope of the fill shall not exceed 1v:2h (50 percent). The director may require a flatter slope.
[11-29-97; 19.8.20.2035 NMAC - Rn, 19 NMAC 8.2.20.2035, 9-29-2000]