Reclamation criteria and standards.

(1) The department, by rule, shall adopt statewide criteria and standards for reclamation. Such rules shall recognize that surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, and edaphic conditions are different, and that reclamation operations and the specifications therefor may vary accordingly. The rules, recognizing technological limitations and economic considerations, shall require the return of the natural function of wetlands or a particular habitat or condition to that in existence prior to mining.

(2) The criteria and standards shall govern performance of reclamation and not the methodology to be used to achieve compliance with the reclamation obligation or the manner in which mining and associated activities are conducted.