295.66 Cessation of mining or reclamation. If there is a cessation of mining or reclamation for 30 days or more that is not set forth in either the mining plan or the reclamation plan, the operator shall notify the department of the cessation within 48 hours of the cessation of mining and shall begin stabilization of the mining site. The department may require the operator to provide technical, engineering, and any other information that the operator believes shows that its actions to stabilize the mining site are adequate. If the department determines, after reviewing the information provided by the operator, that the proposed stabilization of the mining site will result in a substantial adverse impact to the environment, the department shall order the operator to begin additional measures to protect the environment, including, if the cessation is reasonably anticipated to extend for a protracted period of time, reclamation according to the reclamation plan or part of the reclamation plan. Usual and regular shutdown of operations on weekends, for maintenance or repair of equipment or facilities, or for other customary reasons do not constitute a cessation of mining.
History: 2013 a. 1.