South Carolina Code 48-20-130. Inspections; notice of deficiencies
The operator shall proceed with reclamation as scheduled in the approved reclamation plan. Following its inspection, the department shall give written notice to the operator of any deficiencies noted. The operator shall commence action within thirty days to rectify these deficiencies and proceed diligently until they have been corrected. The department may extend performance periods referred to in this section and in § 48-20-90 for delays clearly beyond the operator’s control but only in cases where the department finds that the operator is making every reasonable effort to comply. In the absence of corrective action by the operator to rectify deficiencies where previous written notice has been given, the department may issue a notice of uncorrected deficiencies or violations.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 48-20-130
- Affected land: means :
(a) the area of land from which overburden or minerals have been removed or upon which overburden has been deposited, or both, including an area on which a plant is located which is an integral part of the process of the removal of ores or mineral solids from natural deposits; or
(b) stockpiles and settling ponds located on or adjacent to lands from which overburden or minerals have been removed. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40 - Department: means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Exploration: means the act of breaking the surface soil to determine the location, quantity, or quality of a mineral deposit. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Land: includes submerged lands underlying a river, stream, lake, sound, or other body of water and specifically includes, among others, estuarine and tidal lands. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Mining: means :
(a) the breaking of the surface soil to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of ores or mineral solids for sale or processing or consumption in the regular operation of a business;
(b) removal of overburden lying above natural deposits of ore or mineral solids and removal of the mineral deposits exposed, or by removal of ores or mineral solids from deposits lying exposed in their natural state. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40 - Operating permit: means a permit for mining activity that is issued to an operator by the department. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Operator: means a person engaged in mining operations, whether individually, jointly, or through subsidiaries, agents, employees, or contractors. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Reclamation: means the reasonable rehabilitation of the affected land for useful purposes and the protection of the natural resources of the surrounding area. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
- Reclamation plan: means the operator's written proposal as required and approved by the department for reclamation of the affected land, which includes but is not limited to:
(a) proposed practices to protect adjacent surface resources;
(b) specifications for surface gradient restoration, including sketches delineating slope angle, to a surface suitable for the proposed subsequent use of the land after reclamation is completed, and the proposed method of accomplishment;
(c) manner and type of revegetation or other surface treatment of the affected areas;
(d) method of prevention or elimination of conditions that are hazardous to animal or fish life in or adjacent to the area;
(e) method of compliance with state air and water pollution laws;
(f) proposed methods to limit significant adverse effects on adjacent surface water and groundwater resources;
(g) proposed methods to limit significant adverse effects on significant cultural or historic sites;
(h) method of rehabilitation of settling ponds;
(i) method of control of contaminants and disposal of mining refuse;
(j) method of restoration or establishment of stream channels and stream banks to a condition minimizing erosion, siltation, and other pollution;
(k) maps and other supporting documents reasonably required by the department; and
(l) a time schedule, including the anticipated years for completion of reclamation by segments, that meets the requirements of § 48-20-90. See South Carolina Code 48-20-40
Upon completion of reclamation of an area of affected land, the operator shall notify the department. The department shall make an inspection of the area and, if it finds that reclamation has been properly completed, it shall notify the operator in writing and release him from further obligations regarding the affected land. At the same time, it shall release all of the appropriate portion of a performance bond or other security which he has posted under § 48-20-110.
If at any time the department finds that reclamation of the permit area is not proceeding in accordance with the reclamation plan and that the operator has failed within thirty days, or any extension of that date after receiving a notice of uncorrected deficiencies to commence corrective action, or if the department finds that reclamation has not been completed properly in conformance with the reclamation plan within two years, or longer if authorized by the department, after termination of mining on any segment of the permit area, the operator shall show cause why it has not complied, and, upon just cause given, an extension of time to comply must be granted. If just cause is not demonstrated, the department shall initiate forfeiture proceedings against the bonds or other security filed by the operator under § 48-20-170. The failure constitutes grounds for suspension or revocation of the operator’s permit as provided in § 48-20-160.