ASTM D7627-10

This practice shows the status of coal mine reclamation as outlined by each phase of reclamation that can result in bond release, according to SMCRA and 30 CFR Part 700, et seq (See OSM, Directive Reg-8). This practice is significant to the coal mining community because it provides uniformity of geospatial data pertaining to the reclamation and bond status throughout the United States.

Within its area of exclusive jurisdiction, each RA is the authoritative data source (ADS) for coal mining spatial data that it creates and uses to regulate coal mining.

This geospatial data standard will help ensure uniformity of data contributed by each RA and assist organizations in efforts to create, utilize, and share geospatial data relative to SMCRA and it will lead to better communications between state, tribal, and federal regulatory offices, the public and industry.

Surface coal mining geospatial data, specifically to the status of the reclamation, shall be obtained from state, tribal, or federal regulatory authorities for each SCMO. The coal mining community encompasses all entities directly and indirectly affected by coal mining activities, including industry, environmental groups, the general public, and the government at all levels within the United States. Use of this standard will help create consistent maps and increase understanding of SCMO sites throughout the United States. This standard promotes the creation of well organized and easily accessible surface coal mining data, and it will facilitate better communication between state and federal offices, the public, industry, and environmental groups.

In addition to defining the status of individual areas covered by a reclamation bond, use of this standard will identify the changes of the reclamation and bond status to individual mined areas as they change over time.

The land reclamation and bond status datasets may appear to be incomplete for some RAs. In some instances the data may not have been compiled.

This standard conforms to the definition of a Data Content Standard as promulgated by the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Terminology and definitions for identifying geographical features and describing the data model has been adopted from the FGDC Spatial Data Transfer Standard (ANSI INCITS 320-1998 (R2003)) and the FGDC Framework Data Content Standard (FGDC Project 1574-D) and other geographic area boundaries.

Although this standard is written specifically for the coal mining industry, its general purpose and content are applicable to other mining operations.

1.1 This practice covers the minimum elements for the accurate location and description of geospatial data for defining the land reclamation and performance bond status of a permitted coal mine.

1.1.1 Hereafter, reference to bond status means performance bond status.

1.1.2 This practice addresses coal mining geospatial boundary data relative to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), including interim and permanent program lands. This geospatial data shall be obtained from each state, tribal or federal (or combinations thereof) coal mining regulatory authority (RA) authorized under SMCRA to regulate surface coal mining operations (SCMO). Each RA shall be the authoritative data source (ADS) for coal mining geospatial data.

1.1.3 As used in this practice, the land reclamation status of the surface areas of a permitted coal mining operation represents the area where coal removal and reclamation and related supporting activities has occurred, is occurring, or is planned and authorized by the RA within a defined SCMO.

1.1.4 Not all RAs use the same SMCRA bond release phase definitions. For example, SMCRA uses three phases whereas some RAs use four phases.

1.1.5 Participation in the compilation of spatial data is not uniform across RAs, which may affect completeness, both in terms of spatial data and associated attributes. For some RAs, this standard may not be applicable because features described herein do not occur within their area of responsibility.

1.1.6 This standard is one of several in development related to SMCRA approved coal mining operations. Also under development is a terminology standard. Initial development of these standards is being done on an individual basis (See Practice D7384), however they may be consolidated to reduce repetition of information between them.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulator limitations prior to use.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.