§816.57. Hydrologic balance: Stream buffer zones.
30 C.F.R. § 816.57
No land within 100 feet of a perennial stream or an intermittent stream shall be disturbed by surface mining activities, unless the regulatory authority specifically authorizes surface mining activities closer to, or through, such a stream. The regulatory authority may authorize such activities only upon finding that—
Surface mining activities will not cause or contribute to the violation of applicable State or Federal water quality standards, and will not adversely affect the water quantity and quality or other environmental resources of the stream; and
If there will be a temporary or permanent stream-channel diversion, it will comply with § 816.43.
The area not to be disturbed shall be designated as a buffer zone, and the operator shall mark it as specified in § 816.11.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[79 FR 76231, Dec. 22, 2014, as amended at 81 FR 93392, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54979, Nov. 17, 2017]
Authority
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.; and sec 115 of Pub. L. 98-146.
Source
Source: 44 FR 15395, Mar. 13, 1979, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[79 FR 76231, Dec. 22, 2014, as amended at 81 FR 93392, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54979, Nov. 17, 2017]