Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/525

 PUBLIC LAW 95-87—AUG. 3, 1977 (ii) the proposed underground mining operations are necessary or desirable to assure maximum practical recovery of the mineral resource and will avoid multiple disturbance of the surf ace; (iii) the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that the plan for the undergromid mining operations conforms to requirements for underground mining in the jurisdiction and that permits necessary for the underground mining operations have been issued by the appropriate authority; (iv) the areas proposed for the variance have been shown by the applicant to be necessary for the implementing of the proposed underground mining operations; (v) no substantial adverse environmental damage, either on-site or off-site, will result from the delay in completion of reclamation as required by this Act; (vi) provisions for. the otf-site storage of spoil will comply with section 515(b) ('22); (B) if the Secretary has promulgated specific regulations to govern the granting of such variances in accordance with the provisions of this subsection and section 501, and has imposed such additional requirements as he deems necessary; (C) if variances granted under the provisions of this subsection are to be reviewed by the regulatory authority not more than three years from the date of issuance of the permit; and (D) if liability under the bond filed by the applicant with the regulatory authority pursuant to section 509(b) shall be for the duration of the underground mining operations and until the requirements of sections 515(b) and 519 have been fully complied with. (17) insure that the construction, maintenance, and postmining conditions of access roads into and across the site of operations will control or prevent erosion and siltation, pollution of water, damage to fish or wildlife or their habitat, or public or private property; (18) refrain from the construction of roads or other access ways up a stream bed or drainage channel or in such proximity to such channel so as to seriously alter the normal flow of water; (19) establish on the regraded areas, and all other lands affected, a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area of land to be affected and capable of self-regeneration and plant succession at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the area; except, that introduced species may be used in the revegetation process where desirable and necessary to achieve the approved postmining land use plan; (20) assiune the responsibility for successful revegetation, as required by paragraph (19) above, for a period of five full years after the last year of augmented seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, or other work in order to assure compliance with paragraph (19) above, except in those areas or regions of the country where the annual average precipitation is twenty-six inches or less, then the operator's assumption of responsibility and liability will extend for a period of ten full years after the last year of augmented seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, or other work: Provided, That when the regulatory authority approves a long-term intensive agricultural postmining land lise, the applicable five- or ten-year

91 STAT. 491



Regulations, ^"'«' P- 467.

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Access roads,

Revegetation.

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