Rule 203. The environmental protection plan required under Rule 201(1)(f) shall describe how the operator will assure compliance with the provisions of the Act and Rules in order to protect all areas that have the potential to be affected by the mining operation and shall include all of the following:

(a) Plans and schedules for controlling drainage of water, including surface runoff, from within the diked area of a tailings disposal area to prevent breaching of the dikes, both during and after termination of the mining operation.

(b) Provisions to limit the exposed area of any disturbed land to the shortest feasible period of time.

(c) Provisions for temporary soil erosion and sedimentation control measures before or upon commencement of the earth change activity; for maintaining the measures on a daily basis; and for removing the measures after permanent soil erosion measures are in place and the area is stabilized.

(d) Measures to minimize impacts to the volumes and rates of recharge, flow, and discharge of groundwater and surface waters on the mining area and in the affected area.

(e) If a threatened or endangered species may be impacted, a plan to protect the threatened or endangered species that conforms to the requirements of state and federal endangered species laws.

(f) Plans to prevent, minimize, and mitigate any impacts of the proposed mining operation on flora, fauna, fish or wildlife habitats, and biodiversity.

(g) Reactive Ore and Waste Characterization and Handling. Provisions for the mining, storage, disposal and reclamation of potentially reactive substances so as to prevent the generation of acid. Provisions shall include at least the following

(i) Chemical and physical characterization, monitoring and the use of acid-generation modeling of ore, tailings and waste rock to identify potential reactivity, prior to permit and continuous during operation. Identify testing methodology, features, and reporting frequency adequate to ensure accuracy of acid-generation modeling.

(ii) Storage and management plans for ore, tailings or waste rock determined to be potentially reactive will at a minimum:

a. Utilize storage facilities designed by professional engineers registered in Michigan proficient in the design, construction, operation and reclamation of facilities for the storage of reactive mine waste.

(i). Designed by professional engineers, registered in this state, who are proficient in the design, construction, operation, and reclamation of tailings basins.

(ii) Provide rationale for site selection, with regard to dam safety and characteristics of the site that could affect, or could be affected by, the tailings or waste rock storage basin;

(iii) Describe materials, construction, and operating performance specifications and limitations that must be maintained to ensure protection of natural resources;

(iv) Ensure that precipitation events do not result in overtopping the basin;

(v) Describe the specific steps that must be taken to achieve reclamation on tailings, waste rock, and dam surfaces;

(vi) Identify monitoring locations to ensure compliance with the design;

(vii) Comply with the requirements of part ____ , if the tailings basin and waste rock contains potentially reactive mine waste; and

(viii) Descriptions of monitoring equipment, locations and leakage detection system and inspection frequency and reporting procedures adequate to ensure compliance with facility design.

(I) Contamination reduction and water resources. Provisions for the mining, storage, and reclamation of ore and waste products to prevent leaching of contaminants from mining equipment, hauling, and processing into groundwater or runoff into surface waters. Provisions may include, but is not limited to, the following: