Okla. Admin. Code § 460:20-45-38 – Backfilling and grading: general requirements

(a) Disturbed areas shall be backfilled and graded to:
1. (1) Achieve the approximate original contour, except as provided in Subsection(k) of this Section.
2. (2) Eliminate all highwalls, spoil piles, and depressions, except as provided in Subsection (h) (small depressions) and in (k) (2) (previously mined highwalls) of this Section;
3. (3) Achieve a postmining slope that does not exceed either the angle of repose or such lesser slope as is necessary to achieve a minimum long term static safety factor of 1.3 and to prevent slides;
4. (4) Minimize erosion and water pollution both on and off the site; and
5. (5) Support the approved postmining land use.
(b) Spoil, except as provided in Subsection (1) of this Section, and except excess spoil disposed of in accordance with Sections 460:20-45-24 through 460:20-45-27, shall be returned to the mined-out surface area.
(c) Spoil and waste materials shall be compacted where advisable to ensure stability or to prevent leaching of toxic materials.
(d) Spoil may be placed on the area outside the mined-out surface area in nonsteep slope areas to restore the approximate original contour by blending the spoil into the surrounding terrain if the following requirements are met:
1. (1) All vegetative and organic materials shall be removed from the area.
2. (2) The topsoil on the area shall be removed, segregated, stored, and redistributed in accordance with Section 460:20-45-7 of this Chapter.
3. (3) The spoil shall be backfilled and graded on the area in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
(e) Disposal of coal processing waste and underground development waste in the mined-out surface area shall be in accordance with Sections 460:20-45-29 and 460:20-45-30 of this Chapter, except that a long-term static safety factor of 1.3 shall be achieved.
(f) Exposed coal seams, acid- and toxic-forming materials, and combustible materials exposed, used, or produced during mining shall be adequately covered with nontoxic and noncombustible materials, or treated, to control the impact on surface and ground water in accordance with Section 460:20-45-8 of this Chapter, to prevent sustained combustion, and to minimize adverse effects on plant growth and the approved postmining land use.
(g) Cut-and-fill terraces may be allowed by the Department where:
1. (1) Needed to conserve soil moisture, ensure stability, and control erosion on final-graded slopes, if the terraces are compatible with the approved postmining land use; or
2. (2) Specialized grading, foundation conditions, or roads are required for the approved postmining land use, in which case the final grading may include a terrace of adequate width to ensure the safety, stability, and erosion control necessary to implement the postmining land-use plan.
(h) Small depressions may be constructed if they are needed to retain moisture, minimize erosion, create and enhance wildlife habitat, or assist revegetation.
(i) Permanent impoundments may be approved if they meet the requirements of Sections 460:20-45-14 and 460:20-45-15 and if they are suitable for the approved postmining land use.
(j) Preparation of final-graded surfaces shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes erosion and provides a surface for replacement of topsoil that will minimize slippage.
(k) The postmining slope may vary from the approximate original contour when approval is obtained from the Department for:
1. (1) A variance from approximate original contour requirements in accordance with Section 460:20-33-6 of this Chapter; or
2. (2) Incomplete elimination of highwalls in previously mined areas in accordance with Section 460:20-45-41.
(l) Regrading of settled and revegetated fills to achieve approximate original contour at the conclusion of underground mining activities shall not be required if the conditions of (1) or (2) of this Subsection are met.
1. (1)
  1. (A) Settled and revegetated fills shall be composed of spoil or nonacid- or nontoxic-forming underground development waste.
  2. (B) The spoil or underground development waste shall not be located so as to be detrimental to the environment, to the health and safety of the public, or to the approved postmining land use.
  3. (C) Stability of the spoil or underground development waste shall be demonstrated through standard geotechnical analysis to be consistent with backfilling and grading requirements for material on the solid bench (1.3 static safety factor) or excess spoil requirements for material not placed on a solid bench (1.5 static safety factor).
  4. (D) The surface of the spoil or underground development waste shall be vegetated according to Section 460:20-45-46, and surface runoff shall be controlled in accordance with Section 460:20-45-10.
2. (2) If it is determined by the Department that disturbance of the existing spoil or underground development waste would increase environmental harm or adversely affect the health and safety of the public, the Department may allow the existing spoil or underground development waste pile to remain in place. The Department may require stabilization of such spoil or underground development waste in accordance with the requirements of (1) (A)-(1) (D) of this Subsection.