§22-4-19. Time period for reclamation.

(a) The operator shall commence the reclamation of the incremental area of land disturbed by the operator after the completion of all quarrying of that area in accordance with the approved quarrying and reclamation plan. The quarrying and reclamation plan for each operation shall be site specific in describing how the quarrying and reclamation activities are to be coordinated to minimize total land disturbance and to keep reclamation operations as contemporaneous as possible with the advance of the quarry operations. All quarry operations shall be conducted in compliance with the approved quarrying and reclamation plan and the requirements of this article.

(b) At the option of the permittee and with the director's concurrence, a quarry permit may be inactive for a time so specified by the director, during which no mineral or overburden is removed if the following conditions are met:

(1) That economically viable mineral reserves remain in the permitted area;

(2) All disturbed areas are reclaimed or stabilized to prevent erosion and sedimentation;

(3) All drainage and sediment control structures, such as culverts, ditches, sediment basins and traps are maintained; and

(4) All vegetation is maintained and reseeded as necessary.

(c) Any permit which is not in operation and has failed to apply for inactive status within six months is deemed an abandoned quarry.