(a) Quarries that are in operation on or before the effective date of this article, shall comply with the following:
(1) Within two years of the effective date of this article, all quarry operations shall submit to the director a quarrying and reclamation plan to bring the facility into compliance with the requirements of this article and any rules promulgated thereunder. These quarrying and reclamation plans shall include a reasonable schedule, based on site specific conditions and the nature of the quarry operation, to allow a transitional time period to bring the operation into compliance with current reclamation standards. Quarry areas that are disturbed on the effective date of this article are exempt from further reclamation requirements. For the purpose of this section, disturbed areas include existing highwalls and all material vertically below the surface of the area disturbed.