Help for Reclamation Inspections
Entries below are arranged alphabetically, although similar items may be grouped under a common word. Many of these inspection topics have “Yes” or “No” answers. A “Yes” will not tell you, for example, whether leftover mine stockpiles were used in reclamation or removed from the site. The “Yes” only means that the inspector checked the status of the stockpile material and it was handled in accordance the approved Reclamation Plan.
Acres Restored in Asst. Categories – Indicates the number of acres that the inspector looked at to evaluate whether the reclamation should receive final approval for the intended land use. The major land use categories are: “Agricultural,” “Industrial,” “Lake or Pond,” “Meadow or Grassland,” “Recreation,” “Residential or Commercial,” “Wetland,” or “Unspecified.”
Acres Revegetated - Indicates the number of acres at the mine site that the inspector looked at to evaluate revegetation success.
Acres at Site Approved Reclaimed - Indicates the number of acres that the inspector verified were properly reclaimed. The inspector then releases those acres from acreage-based regulatory fees and regulatory bonds. The acres are also released from Mined Land Reclamation program jurisdiction.
Backfilling Approved – Refers to whether or not holes and excavations on the site were backfilled in accordance with the approved Reclamation Plan.
Berms – A berm is an earthen mound that serves as a screen to reduce noise and/or visual impacts primarily during mine operation. However, a berm may also be required in the Reclamation Plan.
Brush Burned or Mulched – If brushy debris is present, it may not remain on-site. It must be either burned or mulched, as required by the approved Reclamation Plan.
Commodity – This refers to the mineral commodity produced by the mine (bluestone, sand and gravel, granite, etc.).
Compacted Areas - Compacted soil is often caused by mining activity and the passage of heavy equipment and vehicles. It interferes with reclamation because plants seedling roots have trouble penetrating compacted soil.
Compacted Areas Not Treated – Means the inspector observed an area of land that was not treated to loosen the soil and such treatment was either prescribed or the inspector is likely to require it.
Compacted Areas Plowed, Ripped or Scarified – Compacted soil may be “Plowed” with earth moving or agricultural equipment, “Ripped” with large earth moving equipment fitted with ripper shanks, or “Scarified” by equipment fitted with a large soil scraping tool.
Compatible Cover – This refers to whether or not the vegetation is compatible with the final land use in the approved Reclamation Plan.
Concurrent Reclamation – This refers to reclamation of an affected or mined-out area while mineral resources are still being extracted from other parts of the mine.
Fences – In rare instances a fence may be required at a reclaimed mine to help ensure public safety, or to protect rare plants, animals or a sensitive environmental resource.
Final Reclamation – This refers to reclamation done at the point the mine is permanently closed.
Follow-up Inspection Required – More than one reclamation inspection may be required. Reclamation work may be done in stages or additional corrective work may be required by DEC.
Haul Road/ Retained or Reclaimed – A haul road is part of the mine’s internal road system for transport of mined materials. The approved Reclamation Plan may allow these roads to remain as part of the final intended land use or the mine operator may be required to reclaim them.
Inspector Observed Asst. Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Structures – The inspector must check for certain items required in the mine’s approved Reclamation Plan or the Stormwater Management Plan. Please note that items marked “No” in the inspection results may not have been required for a particular mine because they weren’t necessary. The site features in the inspection results that fall under this category are: “Adequate Drainage,” “Impounded Water,” “Permitted Discharge” (under DEC Division of Water SPDES Permit), “Outlet Pipe,” “Water Control Devices,” “Water Control Dams,” “Vegetated Channels,” “Riprap Lined Channels,” “Weir” (an in-stream dam designed to help manage discharges from an outfall pipe).
Inspector Observed Slopes – The entry on “Inspector Observed Proper Slope or Grade” refers to whether the land was graded to the angle required in the approved Reclamation Plan. “Inspector Observed Stable Slopes” means those slopes are not showing any signs of slumping, creep or other movement.
Land Restored to Asst. Uses – These entries refer to the land-use objective approved for restoration of the site. Final land use for a particular mine may fall in more than one of these categories: “Agricultural,” “Industrial,” “Lake and Pond,” “Meadow and Grassland,” “Recreation,” “Residential and Commercial,” “Wetland,” or “Unspecified.”
Large Rocks Removed or Used– If large rocks are present, they must be used or removed. Some rocks may be employed in site reclamation (for example, decorative stone at golf course). In other cases rocks must be buried or hauled away.
Mine ID – Mine identification number where the first numeral indicates the DEC Region number where mine is located.
Mine Name – Name of the mine as shown on the mined land reclamation permit or bluestone exploration authorization. Please note that mine name may differ from company/ permittee name. However, a significant number of mines do not have a separate mine name at all.
Minimum 2 Feet of Soil Cover – A minimum of 2 feet of soil and subsoil is required to cover any brush, trees or stumps buried on–site or to cover large rocks not used in landscaping.
Percent Vegetation/ Asst. Measures – For reclamation to be acceptable, revegetation efforts must meet certain percentage survival thresholds. “Greater than 60% Tree and Shrub Survival” refers to the required survival rate for woody vegetation. All vegetation must also meet the general standards of land “Coverage Greater than 75%” and vegetation “Random Failure Less than 25%.” The latter means that plant failure does not exceed one half acre in every two acres that were reclaimed.
Perimeter Visual Impacts Minimized – This collectively refers to any measures in the approved reclamation plan that minimize visual impacts, such as planting of trees and shrubs, construction of a berm, etc.
Protect Public Health and Safety – This is a general category encompassing the results across a number of more detailed inspection topics, such as removal of equipment, hazards, machinery, etc.
Reclamation Capable of Planned Use – The reclamation must be compatible with the land use(s) in the approved Reclamation Plan.
Reclamation Consistent with Reclamation Plan – As part of the permitting process, the mine operator must submit a proposed Reclamation Plan for approval. The mine operator cannot deviate from this plan without DEC’s consent.
Reclamation Matches Approved Plan – This means the same as entry above.
Removed Machinery Equipment, Perimeter Hazards, Refuse – These inspection entries refer to the required removal of mining “Machinery Equipment,” removal of “Perimeter Hazards,” such as steep banks or tree stumps, and removal of “Refuse,” such as containers, tires, or scrap steel. None of these items may be buried on-site.
Screening Required/ Screen Type/ Other Screening – The approved Reclamation Plan may require screening to confine dust and flying particles and reduce noise and/or visual impacts. Screening may consist of either artificial or natural barriers. Some of the most common “Screen Types” are berms, fences, shrubs, trees, or any combination thereof. If an unusual type of screening is required, the inspection results for that will show under “Other Screening”.
Site Prep OK – This inspection category covers such tasks as preparing an adequate seedbed and making sure the soil has enough moisture.
Stockpiles Removed or Used – Stockpiles of mined material may not remain on-site. They must either be used in reclamation, if allowed in the approved Reclamation Plan, or removed.
Topsoil OK – Means the inspector observed the required depth of topsoil or growing medium on-site (usually minimum of 6 inches) and the soil’s properties were adequate for supporting the intended vegetation.