Regulation .06 Backfilling and Planting Reports and Inspection.

A backfilling and planting report shall be prepared by the permittee on forms furnished by the Bureau and filed with the Bureau not later than the time the mining and reclamation progress report required by Environment Article, §15-508(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, is submitted. The report shall include a location map showing the location of the acres backfilled and planted and covered by the report.

The permittee shall review all planted areas before the recognized planting seasons. The permittee shall cause those areas deficient of vegetative cover to be regraded, top dressed with lime and fertilizer, seeded, or mulched, or to have any other necessary treatment to establish a satisfactory cover of vegetation.

A vegetation inspection shall be made by the Bureau and the Land Reclamation Committee when the planted area has survived 2 years after the last augmented seeding. Following the inspection by the Bureau and the Land Reclamation Committee, the Bureau shall notify the operator whether the standards for success have been achieved. If standards have been met, the Bureau may then reduce the amount of bond on the area in accordance with COMAR 26.20.14. If the standards have not been met, the Bureau may order the operator to correct the deficiencies.

A final inspection shall be made by the Bureau on the planted areas at the end of the 5-year responsibility period. The Bureau shall notify the permittee, in writing, of its approval or disapproval of the revegetation. On areas for which the revegetation is: