LAC 43:XV.5501. Prime Farmland: Special Requirements

A. Surface coal mining and reclamation operations conducted on prime farmland shall meet the following requirements. 1. A permit shall be obtained for those operations under §2907. 2. Soil materials to be used in the reconstruction of the prime farmland soil shall be removed before drilling, blasting or mining, in accordance with §5503 and in a manner that prevents mixing or contaminating these materials with undesirable material. Where removal of soil materials results in erosion that may cause air and water pollution, the office shall specify methods to control erosion or exposed overburden. 3. Revegetation success on prime farmlands shall be measured upon the basis of a comparison of actual crop production from the disturbed area, compared to the reference crop yield approved by the office in the permit in accordance with §2907.C.3.