Section 300.225 Use of Explosives; Control of Adverse Effects

Section 300

Section 300.225  Use of

Explosives; Control of Adverse Effects

a)         Blasting shall be conducted to prevent injury to persons and

damage to public or private property outside the blasting zone.

b)         Airblast limits

1)         Airblast shall be controlled so that it does not exceed the

values specified below at any protected structure, unless such structure is

owned by the operator and not leased to any other person, or a waiver has been

obtained in accordance with subsection (g).

Lower frequency limit of measuring system, Hz + 3dB

Maximum

level

in dB

0.1 Hz or

lower--flat response

134 peak

2.0 Hz or

lower--flat response

133 peak

6.0 Hz or

lower--flat response

129 peak

2)         The measuring systems used shall have a flat frequency

response of at least 200 Hz at the upper end.

3)         The person who conducts blasting may satisfy the provisions of

this subsection (b) by meeting any of the three specifications in the chart in

subsection (b)(1).

4)         To ensure compliance with the limits contained in this

Section, the Department may require an airblast measurement of any or all

blasts, and may specify the location of such measurements.

5)         Any

exceedance of the airblast limitations listed in subsection (b)(1) shall be

reported to an authorized representative of the Department immediately by phone

and in writing or email within 24 hours of telephone notification.  Telephone

numbers can be found at

www.dnr.illinois.gov/mines/ead/documents/districtmap.pdf.

c)         Flyrock

1)         Flyrock, including blasted material traveling in the air or

along the ground, but excluding dust and detonation by-products, shall not be

cast beyond the posted, pre-established blasting zone.  Flyrock traveling

outside the pre-established blasting zone shall be reported to an authorized

representative of the Department immediately by telephone and in writing or

email within 24 hours of telephone notification

g blasted material traveling in the air or

along the ground, but excluding dust and detonation by-products, shall not be

cast beyond the posted, pre-established blasting zone.  Flyrock traveling

outside the pre-established blasting zone shall be reported to an authorized

representative of the Department immediately by telephone and in writing or

email within 24 hours of telephone notification.  Telephone numbers can be

found at www.dnr.illinois.gov/mines/ead/documents/districtmap.pdf.

2)         In

the event of flyrock causing personal injury or property damage, or any flyrock

cast outside the blasting zone, the blaster's license shall immediately be

suspended for a period not to exceed 15 days from the date of the flyrock

incident or until the Department conducts a complete investigation of the

incident detailing any remedial action required.

3)         In the event of flyrock causing personal injury or property

damage or any flyrock cast outside the blasting zone, a cessation order

preventing further blasting of the bench or ledge in which the flyrock occurred

shall take effect immediately.

d)         Ground vibration limits

1)         In all blasting operations, except as otherwise authorized in

this Section, the maximum peak particle velocity shall not exceed one inch per

second at the location of any protected structure, unless such structure is

owned by the operator and not leased to any other person or a waiver has been

obtained in accordance with subsection (g).

2)         Any exceedance of the ground vibration limitations listed in

subsection (d)(1), including any exceedances of alternative methods of

monitoring in subsection (f) shall be reported to an authorized representative

of the Department immediately by phone and in writing or email within 24 hours

of telephone notification.  Telephone numbers can be found at

www.dnr.illinois.gov/mines/ead/documents/districtmap.pdf

e of the ground vibration limitations listed in

subsection (d)(1), including any exceedances of alternative methods of

monitoring in subsection (f) shall be reported to an authorized representative

of the Department immediately by phone and in writing or email within 24 hours

of telephone notification.  Telephone numbers can be found at

www.dnr.illinois.gov/mines/ead/documents/districtmap.pdf.

3)         In addition to the requirements in subsection (d)(1), when any

blast is within 500 feet of a landfill, the blasting shall be conducted in

order to control ground vibrations not to exceed five inches per second, at the

closest part of the landfill.  Blast monitoring shall comply with Section

300.220(a)(2).  The ground vibration limit shall not apply to the following; a

landfill in the process of being mined through; mining activities associated

with the construction of a landfill; a landfill containing only inert waste; or

a landfill or any cell of a landfill that does not contain a geomembrane or

earth liner.

e)         When the scaled distance has a value less than 65 at the closest

protected structure, a seismograph recording shall be made at or as near as

possible to that structure. To ensure compliance with the limits contained in

this Section, the Department may require a seismograph recording of any or all

blasts and may specify the location at which such recordings are made.

f)         In lieu of the ground vibration limits in subsection (d), the

operator may submit a written request to the Department to use an alternative

compliance method.  Such written request must be supported by sufficient

technical information, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to,

documented approval of such method by agencies in other states which regulate

blasting operations at coal and/or non-coal mineral extraction operations

ection (d), the

operator may submit a written request to the Department to use an alternative

compliance method.  Such written request must be supported by sufficient

technical information, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to,

documented approval of such method by agencies in other states which regulate

blasting operations at coal and/or non-coal mineral extraction operations. Upon

submittal by the operator of a request to use an alternative compliance method,

the Department shall issue a written determination as to whether the technical

information submitted provides sufficient justification for the alternative

method to be used as a means of demonstrating compliance.

g)         Waivers

1)         A waiver of the airblast and ground vibration limits in

subsections (b) and (d) may be obtained by the operator in the following circumstances:

A)        If the protected structure is owned by the operator and leased

to any other person; or

B)        If the protected structure is not owned by the operator but the

owner of the structure has a bona fide financial interest in, or commercial

relationship with, the mining operation.  The operator shall provide written

documentation of any such interest or relationship to the Department upon

request.

2)         The waiver shall be signed by the owner of the structure

unless the operator is the owner.  If the structure is leased to any other

person, the waiver must be signed by both the owner and lessee.

3)         The waiver shall be in writing in a format available from the

Department, and shall be submitted to DNR Explosives and Aggregate Personnel

before conducting blasting operations in accordance with the term of the

waiver.

4)         The operator is responsible for keeping complete and up to

date records on all waivers executed, including real estate and lease

transactions that may affect the validity of the waiver.  These records shall

be made available for inspection by the Department

ted to DNR Explosives and Aggregate Personnel

before conducting blasting operations in accordance with the term of the

waiver.

4)         The operator is responsible for keeping complete and up to

date records on all waivers executed, including real estate and lease

transactions that may affect the validity of the waiver.  These records shall

be made available for inspection by the Department.

5)         The waiver provided for in this subsection (g) shall consist

solely of a waiver of the airblast and ground vibration limits set forth in

this Section and is not intended to exempt the operator from civil liability.