(A) All excavated and mined areas shall be fenced as required by the Township Board. In the absence of any other requirement, such fencing shall consist of a six-foot high fence and shall be posted so as to indicate the danger of trespassing in the area. The minimum specifications for said fencing shall be as follows:
(1) #9 gauge top wire;
(2) #12 gauge bottom wire with spacing of 6 inches by 12 inches;
(3) All stays shall be of 14-gauge wire with spacing of support posts to be no greater than 16 feet apart; and
(4) All active mining excavations shall be visually screened from view all adjacent public highways and residentially used parcels to a person standing on the paved portion of the public highway or from the lot line of adjacent residentially used parcels.
(B) The following methods are acceptable for screening of mining areas:
(1) Construction of a raised earth berm area on the mining site along boundary lines thereof where such lines abut a public highway or abut privately owned property which is improved and occupied for residential purposes. This provision with regard to lands improved and occupied for residential purposes shall be applicable to any land upon which dwellings arc built and occupied subsequent to the date of this chapter;
(2) The berm shall be sufficient in length and height to screen the mining area;
(3) During the planting season next following the placement of the berm, and as often as may be necessary to assure the existence of a vegetative ground cover, the applicant shall seed or plant the berm in a manner suitable for the area and soil conditions so as to provide vegetation to check erosion and to provide a visible ground cover substantially similar to the vegetation cover growing in adjacent fields;
(4) Where the topography of the area acts as a screen, the Township Board may waive the berm requirement;
(5) The berm shall have slopes not in excess of one foot vertical to two feet horizontal;
(6) Planting of coniferous trees along the boundaries of the property with sufficient rows and depth to permit effective screening of the mining area; and
(7) To the extent that the foregoing is not practical, the applicant may submit alternate proposals. The amount and extent of required screening shall be reasonable and practical as determined by the Township Board.
(Ord. 28, passed 11-13-2017)