Site restoration.
§ 255-1050. Site restoration.
A. A comprehensive restoration plan shall be submitted for Zoning Board of Review no later than nine months prior to the anticipated date of cessation of extraction activities. The purpose of this plan is to show in detail how the site will be restored once all the materials have been extracted. The Zoning Board of Review shall certify that the plan requirements are met.
B. The restoration plan shall include a complete landscape plan indicating the existing natural features and proposed final topography, plant list, phasing of the restoration, and final use for the site. The plan to be submitted shall demonstrate compliance with the following standards:
(1) A minimum depth of four feet shall be maintained between the lowest elevation from which material is extracted to the maximum high groundwater elevation.
(2) Existing topsoil shall be redistributed on-site to provide adequate growing conditions for revegetation of the site. Where needed, additional soil shall be brought in of an equal to or better quality than that of the previously existing topsoil and shall be free from refuse or toxic contaminants. Final soil depth and types shall be appropriate for the expected reuse of the site, but at a minimum shall be six inches, unless it is demonstrated that less than six inches existed prior to excavation.
(3) The final grading of the site shall be appropriate for the expected reuse of the site.
(4) All final site drainage shall be designed, sloped, revegetated, or shall employ other measures so that erosion and siltation of water courses and ponds are avoided.
(5) The site shall be revegetated to control dust, erosion, and to restore natural features to the site. The soil shall be stabilized by planting, seeding, or sodding so as to create a complete ground cover. The landowner or facility operator shall maintain the vegetation for at least two full growing seasons after its initial planting.
(6) No sharp declines, pits, depressions, or debris accumulation shall remain after the restoration. All banks shall be restored so that no slope is greater than three feet horizontal to one foot vertical (3:1).
(7) Stormwater drainage from the site shall not be altered so as to adversely affect public roads or neighboring uses. Natural drainage patterns shall be restored to the maximum extent possible. No increase in drainage rate and volume leaving the site shall be permitted.
(8) All stumps, boulders, and other debris resulting from the extraction operations or its related activities shall be removed from the site and disposed of by approved methods.
(9) The site shall be graded so that no stagnant water or water pockets will be allowed to develop.
(10) Processing plants, buildings, structures, and equipment shall be entirely removed from the pit within one year after completion of the extraction operations.