REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REPLACEMENT OF SOIL AND OVERBURDEN WITHOUT REGARD TO SOIL HORIZONS.

(a) This section applies only to prime farmland to be mined and reclaimed.

(b) On proper documentation supporting the use of the mining technique to obtain crop yields equivalent to or higher than yields on surrounding nonmined soil of the same type, the commission may authorize the permit holder, without regard to soil horizons, to:

(1) remove the soil and overburden in one step;

(2) store the soil and overburden in one stockpile; and

(3) begin reclamation by replacing and grading the stockpile material.