AI-assisted research summary: Mine operators must reclaim affected land after mining, including grading, stabilizing, revegetating, and disposing of mine debris; topsoil may not be destroyed or buried, and bond release is delayed until the required reclamation work is done unless a stated exception applies.
1. An operator authorized under this chapter to operate a mine, after completion of mining operations and within the time specified in section 208.19, shall: a. Grade affected lands to slopes having a maximum of one foot vertical rise for each four feet of horizontal distance. Where the original topography of the affected land was steeper than one foot of vertical rise for each four feet of horizontal distance, the affected lands may be graded to blend with the surrounding terrain. However, water impoundments, pit or quarry floors, and highwalls are not subject to the requirements of this paragraph. b. Stabilize and revegetate affected lands, except for water impoundments and pit or quarry floors as approved by the division before the release of the bond as provided in section 208.19. c. Properly dispose of all mine-related debris, junk, waste materials, old equipment, and other materials of similar or like nature, within the registration boundaries of the site. 2. Notwithstanding subsection 1, overburden piles where deposition has not occurred for a period of twelve months shall be stabilized and revegetated. 3. Topsoil that is a part of overburden shall not be destroyed or buried in the process of mining. 4. The division may grant a variance from the requirements of subsections 1 and 2. 5. A bond or security posted under this chapter to assure reclamation of affected lands shall not be released until all of the reclamation work required by this section has been performed in accordance with this chapter and division rules, except when a replacement bond or security is posted by a new operator or responsibility is transferred under section 208.16. [C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §83A.17] 85 Acts, ch 137, §14 C93, §208.17 96 Acts, ch 1043, §10 Referred to in §208.19, 208.23, 208.28