82-4-233. Planting of vegetation following grading of disturbed area. (1) Except as provided in subsection (4), after the operation has been backfilled, graded, topsoiled, and approved by the department, the operator shall prepare the soil and plant the legumes, grasses, shrubs, and trees that are necessary to 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. The vegetative cover must be capable of:
     (a) feeding and withstanding grazing pressure from a quantity and mixture of wildlife and livestock at least comparable to that which the land could have sustained prior to the operation;
     (b) regenerating under the natural conditions prevailing at the site, including occasional drought, heavy snowfalls, and strong winds; and
     (c) preventing soil erosion to the extent achieved prior to the operation.
     (2) The seed or plant mixtures, quantities, method of planting, type and amount of lime or fertilizer, mulching, irrigation, fencing, and any other measures necessary to provide a suitable permanent diverse vegetative cover must be defined by rules of the board.
     (3) All underground shafts, tunnels, or other excavations are excluded from the provisions of subsection (1).
     (4) For land that was mined, disturbed, or redisturbed after May 2, 1978, and that was seeded prior to January 1, 1984, using a seed mix that was approved by the department pursuant to subsection (2) and on which the reclaimed vegetation otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (1) and applicable state and federal seed and vegetation laws and rules, introduced species are considered desirable and necessary to achieve the postmining land use and may compose a major or dominant component of the reclaimed vegetation.

     History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 325, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 441, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 50-1045; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 172, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 196, L. 1997.