Reclamation of affected lands, when; extensions; inspections; approval; release of bond or security

(a) An operator shall reclaim affected lands within a period not to exceed three years after the filing of the report required under K.S.A. 49-612(b), and amendments thereto, indicating the mining of any part of a site has been completed. (b) For certain postmining land uses, such as a sanitary land fill, the director, with the approval of the secretary, may allow an extended reclamation period. (c) An operator, upon completion of any reclamation work required by K.S.A. 49-611, and amendments thereto, shall apply to the director in writing for approval of the work. The director, within a reasonable time, shall inspect the completed reclamation work. Upon determination by the director that the operator has satisfactorily completed all required reclamation work on the land included in the application, the director shall release the bond or security on the reclaimed land, shall remove the land from registration and shall terminate or amend, as necessary, the operator's authorization to conduct surface mining on the site. (d) Periodic inspections may be conducted by the director or the director's designee to ensure that the operator is following the reclamation plan.